With many tech startups, the innovation that fuels its business model can often extend beyond the product, seeping into how the company and its employees actually behave and function.
For example, this holiday season, several Chicago startups are finding personalized, creative, and unique ways to recognize and reward their employees for their year-long hard work and dedication. (And let's face it. Startups are lean, the holidays are not; entrepreneurs often times need to find alternatives to the lavish Christmas party).
So we spoke to three Chicago founders about the innovative ways they're saying thanks:
Craig Bryant, founder of KinHR.com, an app that helps small business owners better manage their workforce:
"Taking the time to reflect on the year with employees, and then ensuring that everyone is personally thanked for their contributions ties the spirit of the holidays into the workplace. Small tokens of appreciation go a really long way. It's important that employees understand where your company is headed in 2015 and that they are motivated to think about their own professional objectives for the new year.
Jeremy Smith, co-founder and COO of SpotHero, an on-demand parking app:
"We offer our team unlimited time off and remote work arrangements during the holidays. This helps make sure employees aren't burnt out when the holidays roll around. It also means employees can fly home around the holidays and choose to work remotely. This allows for more family time, and more work time because employees can structure their time the way they choose."
"We also bring a specialist into the office one or twice a month for yoga or meditation. This becomes especially important around the holidays when stress levels tend to be high. Having someone come to the office makes it very easy for employees to take a break from their busy schedules and find a moment to relax."
Jonathan Pirc, founder of Lab42, a social media-focused market research firm:
"Being on a startup budget doesn't limit the festivities at our team holiday celebrations. Instead, we see budget constraints as an opportunity to get creative. Rather than opting for a typical team dinner, we’re starting the night off at our CTO's place with Brick's pizza before heading over to Second City. It's important after a busy year to get out of the office, share a few laughs, and toast to 2015."
At Chicago Inno, we fell just outside of the 'Innovative Spectrum;' I got Jim a mini bottle of Pink Moscato from CVS and a Frozen mug; Jim got me two mini bottles of Pink Moscato and dice.
If your startup did anything clever for the holidays, leave a comment and we'll update the post.
(Image via Screensave.com).
