Most office parties involve a conference room, some catered food, and perhaps a few awkward conversations around the punch bowl. We do things a little differently.
Our office sits on 1.5 acres in the middle of South Austin. We've got a big yard, plenty of room to spread out, chickens, and even a bunker. It's not exactly what most people picture when they think of a real estate office. And that's part of what I like about it.
HRE was 100% work from home for the first 10+ years of our existence. When the time came where it made sense for us to have a dedicated home, I was very picky about the location and space. I could not go to work in a place with drop ceilings and florescent lights. My requirements:
-Had to be unique, with some character and history
-Space for our team to collaborate and work together, but not a cube farm or a row of tables
-Green outdoor space
-Room for expansion in the future - I wanted a forever home, or as close to it as possible
Recently, we put some of that outdoor space to good use for a company BBQ, bringing everyone together for an afternoon of food, games, and a little friendly competition. I handled the cooking, which meant I had at least one job that didn't involve answering emails or solving property management problems. And, before you ask, no one got sick as a result. :)
A Different Kind of Workplace
We spend enough time behind desks, on phones, and in meetings. Having outdoor space where people can step away for a few minutes, get some fresh air, or enjoy lunch together is a nice change of pace. What other PMs have a bridge, a bunker, and chickens at their office?
And when it's time to get everyone together, it's pretty convenient to have enough room for a BBQ and four different games without leaving the property.
