![\"RedBalloon,](\"http:\/\/recruitloop.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/Naomi-Simson-1-copy1-190x300.jpg\" "\\"Startup")
<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Just like many other successful businesses, RedBalloon\u2019s journey started inside its founder\u2019s living room.<\/p>\n
Naomi Simson set up RedBalloon over 10 years ago and since then it has grown from a one-person startup, into a vibrant business of more than 60 employees.<\/p>\n
Naomi highlights that it\u2019s their happy, satisfied employees who love what they do and who live and breathe RedBalloon\u2019s values that are key to the company\u2019s success. It\u2019s clearly working, since not only are RedBalloon sales growing exponentially, but also the business is constantly making it into BRW\u2019s list of \u2018Great Places to Work\u2019<\/em>.<\/p>\n I recently took a look around RedBalloon\u2019s offices to find out what makes the culture so appealing.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t miss RedBalloon\u2019s big red door on Harris Street in the inner Sydney suburb of Pyrmont. When you enter you are welcomed by the smiles and laughter of all the team. Also by the occasional bark and a friendly wag from Dexter, Naomi\u2019s dog that visits the office from time to time.<\/p>\n The open-plan office is brightened by stylish, red furniture and colourful paintings. And, of course, by floating red helium-filled balloons with their iconic red envelopes attached. They are waiting to be collected by a courier who will deliver the RedBalloon experiences to many happy lucky recipients.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not only the colourful office that creates the friendly and exciting RedBalloon atmosphere. The business is built around giving unforgettable experiences to people you care about. To deliver this promise, RedBallooners<\/em> must strongly believe in and identify with this philosophy.<\/p>\n \u201cMy job title speaks for itself”, says Megan Bromley, the Employee Experience Manager (<\/em>not\u00a0<\/em>HR Manager). “It\u2019s all about how our RedBallooners \u2018experience\u2019 their days at work,\u201d<\/p>\n The company culture dates back to the early days of RedBalloon. Naomi always wanted to create a workplace where people actually cared about what their colleagues did over the weekend, or what their pets\u2019 names are.<\/p>\n If employees feel good and have fun in their workplace, then it\u2019s easier for them to promote the RedBalloon product and the RedBalloon experience to their customers. A win-win situation for everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything starts with the right person in the right place<\/em>,\u201d Megan explained.\u201cWe must create a team of motivated people who like to spend time together.”<\/em> Selected candidates are brought together for a group interview in the funky RedBalloon offices and participate in different activities where the aim is to assess for the right personality and attitude.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to be sure that our future employees will believe in our values and will become the best ambassadors for RedBalloon<\/em>\u201d, Megan emphasises.<\/p>\n RedBalloon also offers a referral programme to its employees. Interestingly, despite a great incentive for referring a successful candidate (a RedBalloon experience of choice) it is not all that popular.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because we all care so much about who will ultimately join our team,<\/em>\u201d Megan explains. \u201cRedBallooners see that what we are doing here is very special. They are far more interested in creating the unique atmosphere and culture in the office than in an incentive for bringing a new person on board.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n RedBalloon doesn\u2019t earn its employees\u2019 commitment and engagement by paying crazily high salaries or by offering free gym memberships.\u00a0The employee experience is a journey.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst, it\u2019s about being yourself among people you actually like. Second, it\u2019s about fun!<\/em>\u201d says Megan.<\/p>\n The list of activities engaging and bonding employees is endless. There is a wellness program including yoga classes and nutritional advice. Employees are also offered days off for their birthday and a free day to volunteer with their charity of choice.<\/p>\n There is also a series of \u2018Christmas Love\u2019 events every November. It lets the team feel the spirit of the upcoming festive season. On the first day everybody finds a chocolate advent calendar on their desks.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course nobody is judged when all of the chocolates are gone at the end of the day!<\/em>\u201d Megan jokes.<\/p>\n A number of activities have also been implemented that recognise those employees who have strongly displayed the company\u2019s values. There are monthly lunches where peer awards are given to the most outstanding individuals. And on a daily basis managers are also encouraged to give employees points for living RedBalloon\u2019s values. These points can be redeemed for experiences within the RedBalloon range later on.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not a \u2018boozy 5 p.m. on Friday\u2019 type of culture<\/em>,\u201d Megan concluded. \u201cOur people don\u2019t wait until the end of the week to finally forget about everything and just let go. They have fun all week. Of course, the \u2018Beer Fairy\u2019 visits us every Friday afternoon, but it\u2019s definitely not the most important thing everybody is working for.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" RedBalloon is regularly rated one of Australia’s \u2018Great Places to Work\u2019. Here’s an inside look at the story that keeps them there.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":291,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[146],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Warm Welcome<\/h3>\n
\u2018Employee Experience\u2019, not \u2018Human Resources\u2019<\/h3>\n
3,000 Applications a Year<\/h3>\n
\n “We receive around 3,000 CVs every year<\/em>. But our recruitment process is slightly different from what candidates would normally experience. It is 50% about <\/em>who the candidates are, and 50% about their skills and relevant experience<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\nThe Journey<\/strong><\/h3>\n