The team at Back9Creative have a favourite word – CHOICE. 

But in the Invercargill marketing and design studio, CHOICE stands for Community, Hunger, Open-minded, Inspire, Collaboration, and Empathy. 

It is a concept the entire team embraces, and works hard to personify. 

This concept has been used to help create the culture of connection and creativity in the workplace, but has also gone a long way in establishing a positive atmosphere and sense of workplace wellbeing. 

And while this has long been the case, the Covid-19 pandemic has also played a significant role in the business taking an up-close look at how it was operating and what it could do better to support the team. 

Owners Phil and Alli Robinson are strong believers in the value of their people, and as such, want to create a feeling of wellbeing, support, and flexibility in the workplace. 

Theirs is a workplace where leadership of tasks is based on ability and skill, rather than hierarchy, a concept the team believe is important when it comes to helping them grow and develop. Balancing the needs of staff with tasks in the workplace is also a priority. 

Staff working from home during the lockdown phase of the pandemic demonstrated that the company could be more flexible with hours and working arrangements, Phil said. 

And with staff only able to work on digital projects at home, it also showed that often it was the last minute, smaller, non-digital jobs that caused the most stress. Heading back into the office, Phil and Alli have opted to streamline the services offered by the studio, in a bid to reduce the stress and work “noise” for their staff. 

They have also streamlined their in-office systems – going paperless for instance, to reduce clutter and those bits and pieces that can fill a person’s workspace, and subsequently, their minds. 

The idea is to create a peaceful but vibrant workspace that encourages creativity and collaboration, Alli said. 

Collaboration is a big part of the routine at Back9. During lockdown the team’s daily “staff huddle” was replicated on Zoom, but instead of being a quick one minute chat about what was on for that day, it became an hour-long chance to connect. That chat gave staff the opportunity to gauge how everyone was feeling, support anyone needing it, and also helped the team stay connected. 

Phil and Alli also caught up with each team member individually during lockdown to check in with how they were doing. They maintain being open and honest with their team about the realities of the business in a challenging working climate was essential in ensuring the staff felt included, and reassured about their jobs. Another team member also offered up their savings to anyone struggling during the lockdown, demonstrating what a close and connected team they are and the value they place on each other’s contributions.  

Studio hours have also now been changed as a result of the lockdown – the team now have an hour in the mornings to focus on themselves, connect with other staff, and collaborate on ideas. This was in response to the recognition that while working at home there were opportunities for “me” time, in the office it was often too busy. 

“At home you can put yourself first a bit more. We are trying to bring that into the workplace,” Alli said. 

As part of that, a dedicated communal space has just been created (complete with a floor to ceiling chalk mural by Phil), and which will have bean bags, a fridge, and fruit bowl in it, and there are also plenty of opportunities for staff to upskill and develop their knowledge. 

“The people we have here are good people and they all want to learn.” 

Article added: Tuesday 02 June 2020