In the fast-paced world of software development, it's easy to get lost in boring meetings, pointless tasks, and approaching deadlines. But here at Smarty, we avoid the monotony with a blend of innovation, community, and a heaping side of fun. In this blog, we'll explore the things we do to make Smarty more than a workplace and something truly unique.
Lunchtime Movie Script Reading
Imagine you're in the middle of a busy workday, and you hear dialogues from "The Sandlot" or "Super Mario Bros" echoing into the kitchen. No, it's not a movie screening; it's our lunchtime movie script reading group. A few employees gather during lunch breaks to read through iconic movie scripts. This dedicated group of movie lovers has a whopping 53 scripts under their belts! This not only serves as a creative outlet but helps bring different employees together in a unique and engaging way.
Smarty Singers: Harmonizing Data and Melodies
Q: What's the difference between a piano, a fish, and a bucket of glue?
A: You can tune a piano, but you can't tune a fish!
Speaking of tunes and pianos, check out our Smarty Singers. Software engineers and technical support reps by day, and singers by…. well singers also by day. This choir group is open to anyone with a passion for music or a bucket… a bucket meant for carrying a tune. The choir performs at company events, and their melodic voices can often be heard ringing throughout the third floor. It's a rockin' example of how diverse talents can come together to create something beautiful.
Are you still wondering about that bucket of glue? I knew you'd get "stuck" there!
Birthday Lunch: A Culinary Break
Once a month, Smarty stirs the pot with a birthday lunch. (crowd cheering in the background), Lettuce clarify that these lunches can be catered in-house or enjoyed at a local restaurant, birthday lunch is the cherry on top of the awesome sundae that is working at Smarty. Peas understand that this gives us an awesome and casual opportunity for cross-departmental interaction, fostering a culture of open communication and relationship building, and, more importantly, good food with some real fine diners.
Company-Wide Retreats
Work-life balance isn't just a term at Smarty; it's a practice. About once a year, Smarty hosts company-wide retreats for all employees and their plus one. It's an opportunity to unwind, reflect on the year's achievements, showcase some amazing and often odd talents, and allows Smarty to announce fun events for the coming year. This retreat is a testament to our commitment to employee well-being, culture, growth, and fun.
A Day of Laser Tag, Rollercoasters, & More
Smarty does a variety of activities throughout the year. Anything from a Lagoon day, taking everyone to a local arcade, Top Golf, Smarty Spirit Week, offsite lunches, mid-day walks, Halloween costume contests, and many others. These activities give everyone a chance to unwind and have fun. People from all parts of the company, from specialists to the C-suite, hang out in a more informal setting. The arcade games, bowling, rollercoasters, golfing, and laser tag provides a way for everyone to let loose, enjoy themselves, and talk about things outside of work.
These outings also give people from different departments a chance to interact in a casual environment. This kind of team-building is important because it helps everyone get to know each other better, which can make working together in the office more enjoyable and effective. Plus, who doesn't love the bragging rights that come with winning an intense game of laser tag?
Sports and Games: More than Just Leisure
At Smarty, we have groups that regularly engage in golf, pickleball, and board games. These activities are more than just pastimes; they’re extensions of our collaborative spirit. While many of these activities happen outside of office hours, they create a unique opportunity for Smarty's to get to know each other outside of the normal business setting. I mean, how else could you find out that Bill in accounting was a pickleball savant? We'd know…. That is if we had a Bill that worked here. (Calling all Bills to apply to Smarty here!))
Conclusion
Culture at Smarty isn’t an afterthought; it's a business strategy intricately woven into our daily operations. From movie script readings to birthday lunch, each activity is a building block in creating a cohesive, innovative, and community-driven workspace. It's this unique culture that enables us to see our co-workers not as an obstacle, but as people and fosters a healthy work environment.
So if you’re ready to kick some serious butt at laser tag, or pickleball(Looking at you, Bill!), then come work for Smarty. If not for the money, do it for birthday lunch!
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Trent Howell