17 July, 2020.

8:18am





Jackson Hayes, a 27-year old Software Engineer, scratches his eyes and yawns as he sits down at his home desk and powers up his monitors.

Jackson tabs through reddit for overnight Corona updates from the US and Europe before his 8:30am team Video Call.

Jackson works for ExZero, a Sydney-based Software Development startup that employs 13 staff, all of whom have been working remotely full-time since March.

ExZero grew an impressive 233% in 2019 however like most Australian small businesses, is now concerned with survival above all else. Most of ExZero's projects have been on pause for a month now. Some clients have made verbal commitments to re-commence in August if things "don't get worse", however many have stopped picking up the phone all together.





Desperate to bring any business in the door and keep her team employed, Founder and CEO Jane Druiker took to LinkedIn on July 6 with a bold offer. In hindsight it's not hard to see why her post went as viral as COVID-19 itself.





8:57am





Jane wraps up the call and attempts to rally her team:





"Before we drop off I just wanted to say have a great Friday all!

As you all know, we've had 2 new projects start this week and we've got another 2 due to start on Monday thanks to TheyWork.





We're all learning as we go but I think everyone has done a great job adapting and staying positive.





As always, DM me if you need anything.





Oh and Jackson, please don't forget your cam again today."

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