Wed, Apr 21 2010
Week three for me! The Quirky experience is amazing and pretty darn unique. Before starting I asked about hours and time off. Mitch explained, “Our policy is: Be an adult.” While the structure is loose, flexible and ready to change at a moment’s notice, the standards are high.
I also asked about the orientation process. For now it’s: “Sink or swim.” Ben and Mitch seem to have a knack for picking strong swimmers. My coworkers have a few things in common:
• They’re intelligent. The result of this sharp wit is amazing output and abundant belly-aching laughs.
• They’re creative, flexible and adventurous. If it sounds like a good idea, they’ll likely give it a try. And, they’ll probably crank out something amazing. The Quirky train moves at about 100 MPH, making many sharp turns, with little warning.
• They’re leaders. Quirks are decisive. And, there is an extreme willingness to figure it out and get it done.
• They accept criticism well. This is critical for success as a Quirk, as honesty is a core value here. If it sucks, we say so.
• They give a shit. They’re focused on Quirky’s success, which contributes to some beautiful cohesiveness. This is incredibly helpful to me when I’m spearheading something; the support is there.
• They’re talented. It seems to me that we’ve got the best of the best here. It’s pretty cool working in a small room full of experts. They know their shit, so posturing is unnecessary.
Since I’m responsible for the finances (among other things) I had some suggestions on policies, naturally. I figured I’d implement the standard: Travel Policy, Purchasing Policy, Investment Policy, etc. But, it turns out that we already have a policy that covers all these areas. It’s simply, “Make good decisions.” The good news is, we’ve got good decision makers here. That’s why I often hear Ben say, “Awesomeness.”
Clearly the environment is not for everyone, but we Quirks thrive and get lots of satisfaction.
Sound like a team you’d like to be on? Keep an eye on the job postings on our website!
