4 SURPRISING WAYS WE BUILD FUN INTO OUR WORK PLACE

(4 min read)

Authored by Holly Stendler, Director of Customer Relations

Who can say they have fun at work? Raise your hand. I can proudly say that I do! It's a part of our culture and who we are as a company. As the Director of Customer Relations and acclaimed "Chief Fun Officer”, promoting an enjoyable workplace is something I strive for each and every day.

1. CREATING AUTHENTIC CONNECTIONS

How do we make each workday fun? It starts with every interaction and connection with our team. I aim to have a positive encounter, and to learn a little bit more about our Felins family every time we chat. My goal is for our relationship to be even better after we've spoken than it was before. It's those small moments of human connection, wit, and shared laughter that add up over time.

Fun isn't just about belly laughs and enjoying yourself to the fullest (although I truly LOVE hearing laughter throughout the office). It's more about the overall attitude, energy, and mindset we bring to our work. We aim to create an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves, vibing, embracing quirky humor, sharing “terrible jokes,” and participating in the excitement of each other’s passions. Balancing hard work with a touch of enjoyment is like adding a little sparkle to your day. We aim to work hard while also keeping things light-hearted, never getting bogged down by negativity or stress.

2. INVESTING IN UNIQUE AND ENGAGING ACTIVITIES

Throughout the year, we host a variety of activities to foster camaraderie and add fun into our routines. A highlight of some of our moments include:

• Quarterly All-Employee Meetings with catered lunches
• Football pool for the Superbowl
• Valentine’s Day Dinner and a Movie on us
• March Madness bracket competition with great prizes for the top 3 winners
• Shamrock Shakes in March to ensure we’re all feeling lucky
• Professional Picture Day
• State Fair ticket giveaways
• Summer cook outs and lunches together
• Halloween costume contest with prizes for the top 3 winners
• 12 Days of Felins Christmas surprises and giveaways
• Ping Pong Tournaments
• Trivia, Nacho Parties, Pajama Day (aka Jammie Day) 

We have celebrated Customer Service week, Health and Wellness month, and will continue to add activities to promote opportunities for our team to have FUN!

3. BUILDING A FACILITY WHILE MAKING IT A SECOND HOME

We put a lot of thought into designing a workspace that also contributes to this fun vibe. Our clean, new building has amenities like a ping pong table, popcorn machine, stove, grill, ice machine, fancy water and coffee dispensers, picnic tables and a snack bar. We also often provide free lunches as a sign of appreciation for the great team we have and care for. In turn, they are able to focus on their projects and work with a concentrated dedication. Our employees were a part of the decision-making process when we were building our new home. Committees were created for influencing aspects of the new office design, because ensuring that our team was heard and felt included is a top priority for us. It’s been enjoyable decorating and enhancing our space, making things feel more like home with each passing day.

We're deeply committed to promoting a better workplace culture - not just for our current amazing team, but for all of the future hires that will join our growing family. Retaining top talent is critical, and creating an environment that people actually enjoy showing up to is a big part of that. We're not just fairly compensating and appreciating our people - our Leadership Team aims to go above and beyond for our team. Our CEO even makes a point to shake every employee's hand each morning! I have always loved and admired that!

4. IT’S IN OUR CORE VALUES

At Felins, one of our core values is "Have Fun" and it's not just an empty slogan. We truly believe that injecting fun, humor, and positivity into the workplace culture is essential!

At the end of the day, the "what" of our work - the day to day responsibilities, products and services - are only part of the equation. But the "how" and "why" of our approach to provide world class service to our customers and team is what keeps us engaged and motivated.

Having fun at work fosters authentic relationships, boosts morale and engagement, and creates an environment where people are happy, energized, and motivated to do their best. It demonstrates that we value our employees as wonderful people, not just workers. Whether it's the small daily interactions, the celebrations and giveaways, the surprise trails of candy or the thoughtful office amenities – it shapes how we approach our work and how we treat one another. It's what makes Felins a place that our customers, employees and suppliers genuinely enjoy being a part of.

So, for any leaders out there looking to elevate their own company culture – I will humbly share this page from my Felins playbook: embrace surprise, spontaneity, and silliness. Make each day count. Demonstrate you care through both small gestures and big initiatives. Listen to employees' needs and give them opportunity for input. Always come from a caring and helpful place. Design thoughtful physical spaces. Spread positivity and recognize how awesome your team truly is! But most of all, lead with joy and foster meaningful human connections at work. That's the real magic formula.

Have FUN!

This blog is part 3 of 6 in our blog series: “At the Core of Our Values” – In this six-part exploration, we delve into the heart of organizational excellence, offering insights and practical wisdom for those eager to elevate their businesses. Whether you're aiming to refine your company’s culture, boost employee morale, optimize processes, or cultivate a more resilient team, stay tuned as we share what’s worked for our company and our core compass. Follow us on our social media channels for upcoming chapters in this series!

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