At ArcStone we ring a bell every time we launch a new web site. This little ritual always elicits cheers and smiles, shouts of glee and sometimes even whistles of incredulity.
I think little rituals are important for a company to cultivate. They become part of the culture – people learn them, and by actively participating can more easily become part of the group. These rituals help define the culture and give the participants a framework for interaction. Even unconscious rituals like trips to CSV, stepping out for a smoke with colleagues, or going to lunch on Fridays at Taco Bell collectively bring us together.
One of my favorites is our annual trivia contest. Everyone submits questions to me before our holiday party. I assemble them and read them off (usually punctuated by a lot of laughing, cajoling and tom foolery). We grade the results and the winner gets bragging rights / a fabulous prize. I think the trivia gives our party something that brings the group together – each shared experience make us a little closer. Kudos to Alicia Cermak for bringing home the prize this year.
So I want to start a new one – and I’d like you fellow ArcStonians to participate. Think of any highlights for this last year and let’s add them to the blog. We’ll be able to keep a record moving forward of some of the important/interesting/remarkable/funny things that happened this past year.
I’ve been doing this in my personal life for the last 15 years and it’s amazing what you forget and a lot of fun to review them and reminisce.
So here’s a start, please comment if you have anything to add…. Happy New Year!
(To be read listening to Aqualung’s, Brighter than Sunshine)
1. AMP Development – AMP CAMP
2. Launching Wonderfile
3. Completing ASIL Phase 2
4. Awesome new colleagues – Shawn, Belden, Pam, Dan, Arouna
5. Holiday Party at David and Lisa’s
6. Adding a 401 K benefit – mid year ArcStone Manifesto meeting
7. Welcome the birth of Talia Louwagie
8. Ryan and Angie tie the knot
9. Alicia’s bachelors of computer science and cake decorating degrees
10. Roberto marking Belden’s territory
11. New fridge and wet bar
12. IPhone frenzy
13. SVN, pizza and gin
14. ArcStone beer brewed by Nick and Carrie
