Ai Fridays

Today marks the start of Ai Fridays, a new way for us to wind down the workweek. This is a hard-working office, and we're doing our best to acknowledge the need for a) targeted, stress-free time and b) a little bit of fun.

Our new Friday format is threefold.

1. Breakfast in the office. Some of our peers buy everyone lunch daily, but that's more of a perk, and this is more of a thank-you for a job well done. It's also a nice way to start the day. The breakfast station behind my desk has been convivial all morning. Our routine will be bagels, orange juice and the like, although at an unspecified Friday in the future I'll be rolling in an omelette station.
2. Fuss-Free Friday. This applies to how we're supposed to work: no meetings, no calls, no instant messaging, infrequent email. In a client-driven business, we often spend the bulk of the week in conversation, leaving little time to get things done. Fridays are now earmarked for "me" time, where we can all focus on projects with minimal distraction.
3. An early whistle. At 4 or 4:30, we're turning on music and taking the beer out of the fridge. Ai employees typically work past 6, so the last few hours of the week are now a weekend kickoff. We'll get a little work done, but we'll get to enjoy some communal downtime and finish Fridays with a smile.

This isn't particularly innovative; it's just a nice way for us to wind up each week. It's also year-round, unlike the summer or casual Fridays found in many offices. (Indeed, I'm not sure we can get much more casual.) Mostly, it's a way for Ai to show its appreciation to the team, with a little added productivity as well.

I'm posting this on a Friday, so if you'll excuse me, I have to grab a bagel....