[besson3c]

A while back I was approached by a Google headhunter, and at the time I was interested in accepting their invitation to apply for Google. We talked a fair bit about what the company is like, and it seemed like their culture is similar to many creative companies and firms.

If you've ever read anything about working for Apple, Pixar, Google, or any creative marketing type place, you'll have an idea that this work environment is a pretty stark contrast to your typical, orderly suit and tie work environment.

I know for me, I would function *much* better in a creative work environment. I wonder why more companies haven't adopted this model, or whether there are simply a significant number of managers and CEOs and such that do not believe in the effectiveness of this model?

Have you guys ever worked in a creative environment of this nature? One where you weren't carefully monitored? Where you had complete autonomy? Where you could dress how you wanted, do what you wanted with your space, etc.? Do you agree with its effectiveness? Do you think that more companies would benefit from putting their employees on longer leashes, as long as there were high standards set?

[peeb]

It really depends. One of the reason that this has not been widely adopted is that the times when it works are hard to predict - it's a complex interaction of personality, organizational culture, task, team structure etc.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by peeb 

It really depends. One of the reason that this has not been widely adopted is that the times when it works are hard to predict - it's a complex interaction of personality, organizational culture, task, team structure etc.

How would this be any different for teams that exist under more normal corporate culture? For many, the thought of being oppressed or carefully monitored might make things even worse, no? It does depend on the personalities you are dealing with, but I often wonder if there aren't many more creative types that would be a good match for this than some would be inclined to believe.

[peeb]

I'm not disagreeing with you, but the 'normal corporate culture' is sort of a lowest common denominator. It is considered a way to fairly reliably get moderate to good results. With a 'creative' culture you might luck out, or you might end up yet another bankrupt company with pinball machines in the lobby.

[osiris]

I'm in one of those creative work environments now, and it's not peaches and cream all the time.
Some of the people I have to deal with are frickin whiny sobs with no common sense - but boy, they sure can use that wacom.
And office politics are worse than a corporate workplace, as people are allowed to express and share their personalities to the extreme - which has a direct effect on who your friends are - and that determines what gets done. Which sucks if you just want to do a good job without all the excess baggage.
Sometimes I miss American express... Oh well, back outside for some sun!

[design219]

I work in a small firm (six full time people) and we are very free to structure our work evironment. I think it has more to do with the fact that the owner really trusts us, and it is such a good place to work, there is no turnover. The business is in it's 20th year this year and the only full time person to leave did so to help her elderly parents business, and then returned after three years.

[Aron Peterson]

This person dresses up when doing serious work. I work at home and when I'm really into a project I like to wear a shirt, pants, tie and waistcoat. It's my tribute to those 19th century artists and writers and good for my posture too.

[::maroma::]

I too work in a creative type environment. Its funny that this was posted now though, as we've just recently had some of our "privileges" taken away from us, thus making it more of a strict corporate environment. We used to be able to browse the web openly and freely when we had free time, but they recently enacted a web filter that restricts us to a few areas. We also used to be allowed to use an IM program to chat with coworkers, friends, family, etc while we worked. They took that away. We also used to be able to stream music via iTunes, browse and buy from iTS. No more. Oh, and they now spy on us. They take screen grabs of every machine every so often throughout the day. Fun times.

We are all pretty miffed about all this. Those things may seem like minor privileges that one can live without while working, but I see those things as sort of release valve that helps us with stress and the sometimes mundane nature of this job. But the powers that be decided we didn't need that stuff and we need to work harder (even though we've had our best 3 years in history).

Anyhow, I am now looking at other opportunities outside this place. I refuse to work in a place that doesn't understand the value of an open working environment in a creative business.

Oh, and the reason for all this is we were recently acquired by a big fat corporation, who has no idea how our business is run, nor do they have the slightest understanding of our industry. So we're getting policies forced on us by people who are ignorant about our situation.

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by Aron Peterson 

This person dresses up when doing serious work. I work at home and when I'm really into a project I like to wear a shirt, pants, tie and waistcoat. It's my tribute to those 19th century artists and writers and good for my posture too.

Same for me, except it's a black fedora. Never mind the posture part though.

[Aron Peterson]

Originally Posted by BlueSky 

Same for me, except it's a black fedora. Never mind the posture part though.

What about the leather gloves?

[osiris]

Originally Posted by Aron Peterson 

This person dresses up when doing serious work. I work at home and when I'm really into a project I like to wear a shirt, pants, tie and waistcoat. It's my tribute to those 19th century artists and writers and good for my posture too.

You better be wearing spats and have a mustache too.

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by Aron Peterson 

What about the leather gloves?

Only The Shadow knows.

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

I too work in a creative type environment. Its funny that this was posted now though, as we've just recently had some of our "privileges" taken away from us, thus making it more of a strict corporate environment. We used to be able to browse the web openly and freely when we had free time, but they recently enacted a web filter that restricts us to a few areas. We also used to be allowed to use an IM program to chat with coworkers, friends, family, etc while we worked. They took that away. We also used to be able to stream music via iTunes, browse and buy from iTS. No more. Oh, and they now spy on us. They take screen grabs of every machine every so often throughout the day. Fun times.

We are all pretty miffed about all this. Those things may seem like minor privileges that one can live without while working, but I see those things as sort of release valve that helps us with stress and the sometimes mundane nature of this job. But the powers that be decided we didn't need that stuff and we need to work harder (even though we've had our best 3 years in history).

Anyhow, I am now looking at other opportunities outside this place. I refuse to work in a place that doesn't understand the value of an open working environment in a creative business.

Oh, and the reason for all this is we were recently acquired by a big fat corporation, who has no idea how our business is run, nor do they have the slightest understanding of our industry. So we're getting policies forced on us by people who are ignorant about our situation.

If there's a god, this is what the random screengrab for your machine brings up.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

I too work in a creative type environment. Its funny that this was posted now though, as we've just recently had some of our "privileges" taken away from us, thus making it more of a strict corporate environment. We used to be able to browse the web openly and freely when we had free time, but they recently enacted a web filter that restricts us to a few areas. We also used to be allowed to use an IM program to chat with coworkers, friends, family, etc while we worked. They took that away. We also used to be able to stream music via iTunes, browse and buy from iTS. No more. Oh, and they now spy on us. They take screen grabs of every machine every so often throughout the day. Fun times.

We are all pretty miffed about all this. Those things may seem like minor privileges that one can live without while working, but I see those things as sort of release valve that helps us with stress and the sometimes mundane nature of this job. But the powers that be decided we didn't need that stuff and we need to work harder (even though we've had our best 3 years in history).

Anyhow, I am now looking at other opportunities outside this place. I refuse to work in a place that doesn't understand the value of an open working environment in a creative business.

Oh, and the reason for all this is we were recently acquired by a big fat corporation, who has no idea how our business is run, nor do they have the slightest understanding of our industry. So we're getting policies forced on us by people who are ignorant about our situation.

That sounds horrible! What is your line of work, if you don't mind me asking?

[peeb]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

They take screen grabs of every machine every so often throughout the day. Fun times.

Sounds like a job for **********...

...Interesting, seems like my post was censored! I am talking about a website whose name starts with the name of a common farmyard animal, and a word for looking, and has a domain name that has the letters 'c' and 'x' in it....

[andi*pandi]

we're corporate, but not as strict as some. We have a net nanny (websense) that blocks things it thinks are bad, but can make our own semi-flexible hours and the dress code in our department is casual. No one has ever dictated how we decorate our cubicles, but yet they are cubicles. HR is very paranoid about offending people so if anyone went too crazy I'm sure there would be smackdown.

I was annoyed when they took away the iTunes sharing, it seemed someone thought it was a good idea to put each mac in a separate network group or something so the sharing doesn't work anymore.

[Kevin]

I dress how I want and control how my "office" looks like. I've even brought my acoustic guitar in on days I wasn't so busy.

Now the rest of the work force that works in my building however wear suits and are hardly there.

I pretty much get left a lone. My boss will stroll in from time to time to chat but that is about it. He knows fully well I goof off on the internet. We watched a episode of Sopranos that he didn't see once.

Pretty non-stressful.

[design219]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

and they now spy on us. They take screen grabs of every machine every so often throughout the day.

[macroy]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

Oh, and they now spy on us. They take screen grabs of every machine every so often throughout the day. Fun times.

Is that for information security purposes? or is that for "productivity / efficiency" purposes. I know for the financial industry (as well as public traded companies), new regulations such as GLBA and SOX have made some of the security controls a mandate. But that is strictly from a security purposes. I'm not sure how they go about analyzing that (it could be interesting I guess if it was automated), but many companies are starting to realize that auditing and logging brings up a whole new series of issues. Productivity monitoring in my opinion is just stupid in most lines of work. But as an IS professional, there are definitely legitimate reasons for security monitoring.

As for the business environment discussed by the OP - I think the type of business affects the environment. For the most part, the term "creative" has been mentioned, and I think that is a key there. Companies like Google and Apple have an creative image to them... and perhaps that type of environment fits? I don't think it would fit a corporate law firm or a top tier management consulting firm. Having worked a the latter, we were business attired M-Thu. But we also met with clients and potential clients... so again, there is a reason for dressing like that.

Also, I think the more business type of service you provide (legal, mgmt, financial etc.), the less "creative" your department is going to be. I currently work for a financial institution, and those of us who work at headquarters have a much more relaxed structure compared to the ones that deal with the customers on a daily basis (loan / mortgage consultants, tellers etc...).