work environment Archives - Switch - Digital & Brand

Will Write and Direct for Food

Ed — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:22:14 +0000

Stealing a blog title from an Alan Parker book is probably a sin he’ll forgive. At least I hope he will – the man has one hell of a sharp pen.
In this series we explore themes that revolve around life inside this wonderful madhouse and we seem to have danced around the mention of food for too long. And as the team grows in number, the subject only gets a little more interesting. A relatively recent addition in the form of one mad Matt brought an unusual take on the matter – he’s an agnostic. He eats to live another day and can’t care what’s on his plate.
Still shedding the bubble wrap, however, is, Keith – the newest kid on the Switch block. He is an unashamed ‘foodie’ and dreams of having his own special knife in the way most guys covet a Singer Porsche with their initials monogrammed in its tan, leather seats. And thus balance is restored.
Let’s not take the subject lightly though. Food is important on so many levels that it deserves to be dissected, even if very, very briefly. Here goes:

1. Nutrition

What we eat during the day has a profound impact on our mood, energy, and performance throughout the day. Eating small amounts of sensible food throughout the day makes sure we don’t yoyo through energy levels, going from an inability to focus because we’re low on sugar to a food coma after a massive dose of carbohydrates.

2. Mood

We’re happier when we’re fed. Going for long stretches of time without some form of energy intake will make the most patient of us a little cranky. This is another vote in favour of small and regular ‘meals’ during the day.
We’re happier when we’re fed. Going for long stretches of time without some form of energy intake will make the most patient of us a little cranky. This is another vote in favour of small and regular ‘meals’ during the day.

3. Teamwork

A bunch of skilled people in a single space is only good enough for functional coexistence. This is not conducive to teamwork. Stopping for a while during the day and gathering around a table, food in hand, is a very pleasant way to get to know each other a little better. It takes away the constraints of ‘forced’ interaction and allows for a more convivial spirit. This creates bonds that eventually lead to stronger collaboration.

4. Let’s get social

What better than the promise of good food to get us all out of the office? If we’re not eating out, we’re cooking at our respective homes and bringing food to the office for a themed day of binge-eating. Pie-day Friday is a killer way to end the week, especially if you’re watching your weight. But even if we don’t readily admit it, cooking is an exhibitionist endeavour and we love showing off those mad kitchen skills.

5. Brand

Wait, what? Without planning it, food has become something of a brand association for us and seems to attract new individuals who have the attitude and skills that make them invaluable members of the family and who also tend to share the passion for a good meal. I can’t remember a job interview during which the conversation hasn’t turned to food at some point.
So there you have it – your day’s meal need not be another mundane means of sustenance. Treat food with the respect it deserves and you’ll be surprised how it can make life at the office easier, healthier, and infinitely more pleasant. And tread carefully because you might end up making unlikely friends in the process.
Bon appétit!

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You are what music you listen to

Craig Macdonald — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 12:35:10 +0000

Having music playing in the office is always going to be a sensitive affair, simply because music is so subjective.
That said, there is always music that creates an atmosphere in the office that can help to put the team in the right mindset. Be it corny cheesy hits from the 80’s or singer songwriter hits, finding that perfect sonic blend creates a pleasurable working atmosphere, and let’s face it, working in silence can be a bit of a downer.
Here are 10 tracks that have been playing at our office on repeat for the past month:

1. Midnight Star – Midas Touch

2. Baltimore – Tarzan Boy

3. Fatima Yamaha – Love Invaders

4. Tito Puente – Oye Como Va

5. M83 – Wait

6. Guts – And the living is easy

7. Colonel Abrams – Trapped

8. Baccarà – Yes sir I can boogie

9. Laid Back – Sunshine Reggae

10. Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby

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Be a Weirdo – The Office Blogger

Tanya Mihedova — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 13:36:18 +0000

I like ‘weird’ – to be exact, I like weird people. I find them extraordinarily interesting and unique compared to the rest. I admire them because they do not fear criticism, they do what they actually want to do, they strongly believe in their opinion and they are free from any ‘prejudices’.
From the day we are born, along the ‘growing up’ age and after, we are constantly told what is wrong and what is right, what is acceptable and what is not. Society tries to build us in such way that we are meant to be equal, aim for a similar ‘better’ future and we all tend to share the same dreams – a house, a good job, a strong family and that mysterious happily ever after. Nothing is wrong with that, I admit, but if we look back at history, we will see that the people who were standing out from the crowd made the biggest discoveries and, most of the times, they were considered ‘crazy’.
Colombo would have never found America if it wasn’t for his fearless passion for traveling; Da Vinci wouldn’t be known if he was afraid to build his inventions. The list of these different, yet innovative people is endless.
Each and every one of us, deep down and at least once, thought that he was born to make a difference and standout, and that one day he will change the world and leave a mark in history. So think outside the box, have the courage to express yourself and actually enjoy the results of it; don’t kill the craziness inside you. Don’t be afraid of being different; be afraid of being the same as everyone else. Find the Salvador Dali in you – live YOUR life the way it makes you happy – the weird way. 😉

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