If you've ever had to come up with an idea for a project, or held a brainstorming session only to discover that the storm had been reduced to a light shower, then you understand how important it is to stop and feed your brain. No, I don't mean walking over to your office's kitchen and getting a snack. I mean taking a break and doing something completely opposite of work. Doing this gives you a chance to decompress and can open up unknown reserves of creativity in your mind. The end result? Better ideas, and more productivity.
With the launch of Grasshopper, everyone has been working very, very hard, and putting in long hours. As spring finally emerges, we decided that in order for people to actually decompress they needed a work-sanctioned opportunity to do so. And so "Summer Fridays" were born. From now on each year, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Grasshopper will have Summer Fridays, during which time people can do something together as a group that doesn't involve sitting at a desk and working through a to-do list or going to a meeting. Whether it's going to a baseball game or actually playing one, employees--our people--can decide what they want to do as a group. If a group outing doesn't work for them, they can also use the time for personal obligations. It's their call. After we announced Summer Fridays at Grasshopper, people talked about having basketball games, golf trips, and visits to museums. We look forward to getting families involved as well during the summer so that this isn't just another "work event." Bringing families into the events is crucial.
A lot of companies and organizations might balk at the idea of giving people a paid half day every Friday for a few months, but I think it's pretty smart. It's a way of acknowledging that your people are your most valuable resource, and you want to treat them as such. And that means giving Grasshopper folks a chance to cross-pollinate their brains with the activities and people that make them who they are.
Soooo Smart!!!!!!!!!!
We've had official "no meeting" Fridays where we don't allow any scheduled meetings at my company. We are a $1.6B company and it worked great. Now I look forward to a "no email" Fridays.
Very interesting, I have heard a lot of people talking about limiting email time but not just on Fridays. Hope it goes well and improves the culture and productivity.
congrats to two of the best in this, or any, business on the new name and on taking casual Friday to a new and better level.
hoping for much success at Grasshopper...
not for the yankees though!