One of the many perks of being an Atomic Object employee is the community snack table. AO keeps a variety of snacks (as well as coffee, of course) stocked and on-hand at all times. This not only benefits Atomic Object employees, it also benefits AO’s clients for a number of reasons.

The table provides employees with a snack break and a chance to clear the mind, but it also is a community area where employees can gather and converse. While typical talk of the weekend or politics can be heard at times, employees have just as often found themselves engaged in spontaneous problem-solving sessions.

Employees engaged with other projects can provide valuable insight and advice based on past experience that can ultimately lead to a solution for the issue at hand. Conversation around the snack table provides a chance to gather input and advice from other employees who may have had prior experience with similar projects or situations. This translates to more value for the client and increased productivity and efficiency for AO.

The snack table also builds community among AO employees. The kitchen surrounding the table is set up much like a typical home kitchen, creating an inviting and warm atmosphere for employees and visitors. Employees bond over conversation and snacks, which leads to a tighter relationships and a stronger workplace camaraderie. The table benefits Atomic Object, its employees and their clients in substantial ways, making the snack table an integral part of Atomic Object’s vibrant culture.

Atomic Object’s intern program is unlike most within the tech industry. Generally, both clients and the company hosting the intern do not utilize the intern’s full talent. However, Atomic Object (Atomic) has worked hard to develop an intern program that provides more value to the interns and clients than a typical internship program.

The Atomic internship program’s model is structured more like an apprenticeship. Interns work under the guidance and care of a “wizard,” one of Atomic’s senior software developers. The wizard finds projects to assign the intern, which can be either projects the wizard is working on or projects other developers are working on. This provides the intern with more experience and variety than your typical internship program as he/she works on whichever projects the developer may be currently involved with. Atomic interns have worked on everything from automated system tests to iPhone games, an assortment which gives the intern an opportunity to contribute in meaningful, not menial ways. Along with the challenge of working on a wide range of projects, interns are often invited to follow their wizard to client meetings—essentially shadowing their mentor.

This model gives the interns a true taste of real world work experience, providing them with an opportunity to experience all the intellectual and creative facets of the development process, instead of just the routine “work” portion of the business. This prepares interns to confidently interact with clients and instills the mores that go with business interactions.

Atomic also benefits from the internship program in a variety of ways. In addition to having an extra set of hands to assist the senior developer, the internship program also gives Atomic a link to a talent pool, by establishing connections with college students and schools. Atomic’s positive reputation among employees and interns has led to a number of new staff members, which is beneficial to both the interns and Atomic Object.

It may seem a bit odd for a software company to sponsor a bicycle race, but Atomic Object has been doing just that for the past two years. The Fisk Knob Time Trial, an annual 17-mile race that pits some 150+ cyclists against the clock, has become an integral part of AO culture. It may not be obvious why a software company would sponsor a bicycle race, but we’ve found a few solid benefits over the past few years.

Community – Employees are encouraged, but not required to participate in the event. Despite this, AO still finds over half of its staff participating in the event—some 10-12 riders, partly of their own volition and partly from good-natured pressure from other staff members. Employees often train with each other outside of work, building relationships, and keep each other on track for their race-day goals.

Health – A healthy staff is a happy staff. Not only does a healthy staff lower medical expenses, a healthy staff is also more productive and energetic. Employees who may not otherwise exercise much have found themselves goaded into participating, only to develop a love for cycling.

Culture – AO has had employees riding to work on a daily basis almost since formation of the company in 2001. Employees encouraged each other to ride, to the point where an office “bike culture” developed, leading to the installation of bicycle racks and a helmet reimbursement program, in which employees can be reimbursed for the purchase and use of a bicycle helmet to encourage safety and commuting via bicycle. Many AO employees regularly participate in year-round cycling events and races outside of Fisk Knob, but for many, Fisk Knob is a foray into the world of cycling.

Exposure – Atomic Object’s commitment to Fisk Knob as a positive local event gives AO a strong community presence, and a chance to give back to the community that has supported them since 2001. The sponsorship makes AO highly visible within the local community, and develops the AO brand as one interested in building that community.

AO’s sponsorship of Fisk Knob may be hard to link directly to increased business or revenue, but symbolically and internally the benefits are clear. It is a chance to both invest in something the majority of AO’s employees value, and the community surrounding and supporting AO. It encourages a healthy lifestyle and creates relationships within the office that extend far past the walls of 941 Wealthy St.

Every day at Atomic Object starts with a brief, informal meeting. In the corporate world, “team” meetings leave a bad taste in most people’s mouths’ as being unnecessarily long, drawn out and ultimately of little value. AO’s approach is a bit different than your typical sit-around-the-conference table meeting for a few reasons:

1. Meetings create a “brain trust”. Clients generally have two or four employees working on a project at any given time. Morning meetings give employees who are not necessarily involved with the project a chance to offer their wisdom, advice and problem-solving skills. In effect, when hiring Atomic Object for your project, you are receiving the collective wisdom of the entire staff.
2. Meetings unify the team. It is not always easy to tell what various groups are working on. This is a chance to talk about what each employee is currently involved with. Knowing what others have worked on in the past provides employees with a mental reference of who may be valuable to their projects in the future.
3. Anyone may suggest a topic. Throughout the day, as ideas emerge, all employees are encouraged to add to the next morning’s meeting agenda by placing a short note or keyword on the chalk board. The chalkboard helps direct focus to the most relevant topics at hand.
4. The meetings are cheap. Standing keeps it short. No chairs, no tables allowed. Meetings rarely go much past the five-minute mark. This also eliminates the possibility of distraction by iPhones, laptops or any other device that could feasibly be resting on the table in front of the employee.
5. Learn from everyone’s mistakes. The reality is that while we always try our hardest not to, we do sometimes make mistakes. The sharing of information and lessons learned at the meetings can save other employees from making similar mistakes. This ultimately saves the company time, improves efficiency and increases client satisfaction.
6. Stand up meetings are very focused. Once the meeting begins all topics are work-related. No small talk. Topics all relate back to relevant issues surrounding the office, current projects or the industry at large.
7. Meetings are scheduled at 9AM, with mandatory attendance. This spurs employees to arrive at the office consistently and on time. In a tech office where work can theoretically be done remotely, this creates motivation to spend time in the office on a consistent basis. Time spent in the office often results in spontaneous collaborative efforts and problem solving sessions that in turn benefit our client’s projects and our efficiency.
8. Employees keep each other updated. The tech industry moves quickly. A mountain of new information is published daily. The meeting gives employees a chance to share the information they have personally found most relevant and valuable, which others may have missed.
9. Introductions are made. As new employees and customers appear around the office, it gives everyone a chance to say “hi” and meet the new face. This makes the new hire feel welcome, and fosters community within the office environment.
10. Meetings generate conversation. As topics are discussed, ideas are fostered which lead to additional discussion. This leads to discussion and collaborative opportunities among employees, after the meeting is adjourned.