The Green Goldfish Project is an attempt to crowdsource 1,001 examples of marketing lagniappe for employees. Signature little extras that make a big difference. Companies that put “employees first” to build culture, increase retention and promote positive word of mouth. For every 50 examples collected there is a Top 10 list created.
Without further adieu, here is the ninth list from the Project from Examples #401-450:
10. Embracing dream adventures @eddiebauer
Eddie Bauer at #419
Teams of employees across the country dreamed up an adventure they wanted to go on. Eddie Bauer footed the bill for the winning team. Twenty-five employees won a weeklong adventure expedition to Alaska with a guest. Source: Outside Magazine
9. Company values take center stage @BEoffices
#427 – Business Environment Offices
New employees present a poem, rap, short play or artwork to illustrate the company’s values at their first training workshop.
8. A cafeteria that serves family style @facebook
#440 – Facebook
Facebook employees can take home a free dinner or, if working late, their families can come in to eat with them, leading to a regular sight of children in the campus cafeteria.
7. Preparing for winter at First Response Finance
First Response Finance at #403
Everyone gets a “winter bag” at First Response. It’s packed with lip balm, an ice scraper, porridge, throat soothers, honey and lemon to see them through the darkest months. Source: The Sunday Times
6. Blending a healthy benefit @Realeflow
#423 – Realeflow
Realeflow team members make daily smoothies, which has turned into a fun competition where taste and nutrition are the criteria used to judge the winner. Source: Outside Magazine
5. A credit worthy benefit @qualitybike
QBP at #415
For every trip made to work via cycling, walking, carpooling, or any method other than single-passenger vehicle, employees earns credits that can be used to purchase goods we sell. Source: Outside Magazine
4. It started with M&M’s, breakfast goodies and pizza at SAS
#437 – SAS
Recognizing employees for their value to the company was part of the early SAS heritage. People who worked for the company during the days on Hillsborough Street tell stories of piling into Goodnight’s station wagon and going down the street for pizza – with SAS picking up the tab – whenever the company added another 100 customer sites to the list.
A flexible work environment and some of the “trademarks” of the employee-friendly SAS culture – including M&M’s and breakfast goodies – were born in the first months of the company’s existence. Source: SAS
3.Increasing engagement by sharing the load @ Mount Anvil
Mount Anvil at #408
Shares went to all 82 staff, allocated according to length of service, starting at £5,000. For Killian Hurley, the chief executive and co-founder, it was “the right thing to do”. “There are lots of good companies, but we want to be excellent and to do that, you need engaged, positive people delivering excellent customer service. The share incentive is one of the little steps we can control; we are delighted to do it.” Source: The Sunday Times
2. Rewarding employees who carry the water @CamelBak
#430 – CamelBak
Our coveted peer-nominated Water Carrier award is presented annually to a group of employees who uniquely embody and transfer company culture and values to other associates. The award is named in honor of the Native American tradition of carrying water to fellow tribe members to sustain life and provide one of the essential elements for survival. Source: Outside Magazine
and the top example from the ninth Top Ten list:
#1. Everyone wears the customer support pants @Rackspace, but only true greatness qualifies for the Jacket
#435 – Rackspace
Rackspace created a special award for employees who give fanatical support. It’s simply called the Jacket. It signifies fanaticism and hence is a straightjacket. Only one employee wins the jacket at a time.? Here’s a YouTube video on the Jacket:
Today’s Lagniappe (a little something extra for good measure) – The saying “the extra mile” can be tied to the Roman Impressment Law whereby a soldier could force someone to carry their pack for one mile. It’s written origin in the Bible takes place during the “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5:41 where it states, “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”
Here is a great story of the Hoyt’s and the power of the bond between father / son:
FISHERMEN WANTED: Do you have a purple or green goldfish to share? If your example make the book, you receive a free signed copy. Plus – for every example submitted I will donate a non-perishable to the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport, CT. Click here to submit or e-mail directly at stan [at] 9inchmarketing.com
