As CEO, my views strongly influence how my company runs. Do we try to offer oodles of perks, or do we offer freedom of lifestyle? For me, flexibility is key – that way each person, including me, can decide how to set up our ultimate work day and still personally play.
That was the attraction for many of my associates and interns, for whom working for SmartSamantha is a part-time endeavor. Their own ventures of education, family and entrepreneurism fill up the other part.
At SmartSamantha, we all arrive with our drive-through coffee and our brought-from-home lunches, which we usually eat around the multi-purpose conference table while sharing our favorite life stories. (We have recently “moved up” to a bowl of goodies on the microwave, and a big cooler of bottled water.) After lunch, it’s back to work.
We make the most of our office hours – with most of us logging maybe 5 hours a day in the office. Of course, most of my current associates work nights and weekends too – whatever best fits their schedule in any given week.
It does take some extra effort to get the work done on different schedules and, often, from different locations. But, it’s worth it to be there for soccer practice and school plays, or have the thrill of flying to the other coast every month to pursue a master’s degree or pursue a business start-up.
So be aware how your associates might want to set up their day. It might pay off with loyal associates and more productive days.