Share what you're currently reading/listening to:

If you've recently read an engaging book or listened to an engaging podcast, share it with the team. This would be work-related (could be a work-related subject or a more general business skill enhancement)

Some examples from me: Predictably Irrational (book), To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others (Book)

Create set meeting blocks. These are times for a team where meetings can happen. This will help keep regular schedule with times where there won't be interruptions.

I like the idea of setting meeting blocks for well-in-advance planned meetings. Also most meetings back-to-back and preferably in the afternoon.

Allocating budget and time for team members to advance their skills via taking courses or attending workshops which lead to valuable learning and recognized certificates.

Doesn't look like there's a way to comment on specific proposals...so here goes...

• I'm OK with morning meetings as long as they don't end up eating all of the morning. I'm a morning person and am way more effective in the morning than in the evening/afternoon so I actually prefer to sit down and start working in the morning if I need to focus on challenging design work.

• I like the idea of assigning tasks - we did that using Asana at MistyWest. Currently tasks sometimes fall through the cracks because everything is verbal. Also, forcing someone to create a task with a deadline requires them to think about all the dependencies with (hopefully) a realistic ask - realistic deadlines are key though, if everyone assigns tasks that are "high priority" that can cause anxiety for people

• I like the idea of regular check-ins from team leaders, i love feedback and generally I think feedback (both positive & negative) is lacking in a lot of companies

• Love the idea of coffee sessions - we used Donut at MistyWest. Give people the option to opt out if they don't want to participate though.

• Bi-weekly lunch & learns - like this idea too, but think bi-weekly may be too often

Proposal: Hire or give someone the accountability of culture leader and give them autonomy to improve culture without having to get approval for everything.

Reason: It is difficult to grow and maintain good culture without someone who is actively working at it and who has the accountability & autonomy to make culture growing/improving decisions without having to get approval from management

• We had good culture at MistyWest and had many leaders who spearheaded culture. We also had Rebecca who was responsible for a lot of culture aspects (eg. weekly donut/coffee sessions, office policies, etc.)

• We also had quarterly and yearly retreats with Ben

• Even with all this, we still had challenges maintaining and improving culture in the workplace. Culture doesn't just happen through a set number of workshops, it has to be actively maintained and improved.

• My suggestion is to hire someone, or give someone currently (who is interested and actually has time) the accountability to spearhead culture so that we can continue to work on the things Ben teaches us everyday.