By David Crary
Top ‘O the Mornin’ to you! It is a fabulous day for us at Hindsite. St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of big magnitude in our home base of St. Paul, MN. The “pubs” open very early and the parade stretches for many blocks. Thousands of people line the streets for the biggest party of the year. From college days to now, I am all in when it comes to this celebration. How
can I not be with the surname of “Crary”?
When HindSite was just a couple of us, we'd close down shop and early on St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy the day together in downtown St. Paul. We can't really do that now that we've grown to the premier green industry software solution, but we'll work with a skeleton crew today.
Why let work get in the way of a tradition? I believe it is important for my business and it can be for yours as well. Here are four reasons why:
- Help Build Teamwork: As we stroll the streets and laugh at the crazy costumes and wildness around us we are grateful for our time together as a team. Some of the team find it challenging to dress up, so there are no mandatory “wear green or else” edicts from the boss, but if they don’t want to be hassled by thousands of people they kind of get the idea after the first year that they forget about this tradition. Live and learn!
- Help You Unwind: I step on the street with all the hoopla and my worries wash away. There is so much happening around me that the party atmosphere takes over and I can let go. Unwinding can sometimes cost a lot of money. The big getaway vacation. Lots of planning, worries, delayed flights, lost baggage, and then I can unwind for a few days. Stress level begins to mount with the anticipation of the return trip. Worries about the same potential for all the issues that hit us on our trip down. St. Patrick’s Day is not that kind of getaway. Put on a green coat and walk outside the building. Let the fun begin and the leave worries behind.
- Help Build Connections: We enjoy telling our customers about this tradition because we know they find it to be fun and rewarding for all of us. They often share their traditions with us. It can be as simple as the putting contest on Friday at 4pm for my friends business or as grandiose as the annual summer picnic at the theme park for my other friend's company. Traditions build connections and connections are good for business. I have heard from a few customers that they are also taking to the streets for St. Patrick's Day.
- Help Attract and Retain Employees: Our lead developer, Mike Van Ordstrand, has planted St. Patrick's Day countdowns into a lot of our software. Anyone that interviews for a job at HindSite hears about our St. Patrick’s Day celebration. We are proud to talk about this event and they want to be a part of the action. We enjoy raising an Irish drink together and toasting to each other’s health.
This builds employee connections and helps us retain great talent. I also find that productivity doesn’t drop because we closed early on this holiday, but it actually is very strong before and after the holiday. This is a testament that they appreciate the tradition and work hard to make sure they can be part of it next year. In full disclosure, the morning of March 18th might get off to a slow start but we all hit our stride by late-morning.
We would like to hear what traditions you have at your company. Please comment on your business traditions below. If you don’t have anything going yet be sure to establish a new tradition and you will enjoy all the benefits.
Irish Blessing
“May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold
you in the palm of His hand."
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