I visited another company* today to sit on a panel on the subject of Entre/Intrapreneurship.
In addition to meeting fascinating people, I returned to the office with an unexpected take-away: APPRECIATION.
Appreciation for where I work, and the things at my company that I don't even notice anymore. Like:
An on-site cafeteria!
The company I visited had no such thing. Vending machines is what they had, and on every second Wednesday, a free lunch was delivered.
"How do you get lunch, usually?" I asked.
Answer: "Someone takes orders and brings back food for 10 or 12 people." ohhhhhhh.
Three of us from EMC went on the field trip to this company today. On the way home, I shared my unexpected take-away of appreciation.
[PHOTO: EMC's more casual coffee/meeting spot called "The Square." Slightly blurry photo taken today by my mobile phone about 3:50pm.]
"Imagine," I said, "No Dave making you Lattes every day."
"Yeah," said Katie. "And no on-site dry cleaner," either. Just then Katie's mobile phone rang. It was her day care reporting her son just threw up, but he was okay. No need to pick him up. He likely ate too fast. They just wanted her to know he threw up. Her day care, of course, is on-site at EMC.
--------------------- Talk Back ----------------------------
What is your favorite workplace perk?
Share something that might be grand (like on-site massage therapist, or fitness center!), or simple, like getting a made to order sandwich or salad without having to brave traffic, the outside elements, and providing change for 10 - 12 people.
*RE the company I visited today: It warmed our collective-visitors hearts to see the husband of an employee come in with an infant and a 3 year old, all of whom looked very at home there, and join the employees for lunch. In my book, that type of freedom and welcoming climate is one amazing workplace perk -- and in my book, more important than flowing lattes. Thankfully, I feel as though my-pampered-employee-self has both. I have pencil marks (showing the growth of my kids on each of their visits) on the wall behind my office door to prove it!
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