This post relates to junior employees taking direction from senior employees. Back in the old-old days, work life was pretty straightforward in terms of decision making. Senior employees (managers) made decisions, and junior employees carried them out. This was a very efficient system, although junior employees didn’t always buy into decisions. If a junior employee didn’t listen, it was considered insubordination.

In the old days (my generation), senior employees weighted advice from both senior and junior employees. Senior employees ultimately made the decisions, and they were carried out by junior employees. But junior employees had the right to disagree, but in the end everyone still realized who was boss. If a junior employee didn’t obey the decision, it wasn’t considered insubordination, but it wasn’t a good thing over the long term.

Today, things have changed again. It seems that senior and junior employees negotiate equally and openly. Junior employees are generally not afraid to speak their mind. In particular, at TalkShoe, since we’re focusing on social networking, junior/younger employees still  have a say. Now we must reach consensus. If a junior employee doesn’t carry out the decisions made by the senior employee, it’s more the senior employee’s job to once again try and reach consensus. This can be very inefficient if decisions have to continually be revisited; however, ultimately it’s great when concensus is reached, and all employees feel ownership of the decision.

One of the greatest things about working in a start-up, especially an Internet startup, is the casual and relaxed environment. Our office is a large open area with 4 people in cubes, plus two offices that each house 4 employees. Needless to say, we’re a close-knit group. In the open area is a crappy old pool table with the pockets falling out, and a well warped slate/felt (home field advantage). Next to it is a pinball machine, although I’ll admit that I suck at pinball. There’s also a new putting machine and golf balls around the office, and a ball dart-board hanging on the door.

Best of all is the small refrigerator in our tiny kitchen, which often doubles as a 2-3 person conference room (standing room only!). So what’s the big deal about a refrigerator? Every company has a fridge, right. Wrong! While there is some diet soda, our fridge is stocked primarily beer. Premium bottled beer. As you might has guessed, I’m drinking one right now — Circus Boy Hefeweizen from the Magic Hat Brewing Co. (excellent beer by the way)  We’ve also got a cadre of other microbrews, and a few old favorites like Sam Adams, and of course, our company favorite Guinness (Brilliant!). I remember last St. Patty’s Day drinking Guinness, and I do remember we did a lot of creative thinking that day.

What’s the real value of this to the company, you might ask? It’s comeraderie, it’s a relaxed atmosphere, it’s treating people like responsible citizens, it’s CULTURE. And it does make a difference. It’s letting people wind down from the stresses of a startup. We do a lot of good team building standing around playing 9-ball and having a beer.

I’m sure some of you are thinking about lawyers, and liability, and whatever else. But for a second, think about the camaraderie it fosters, and the casual atmosphere. You’ve also got to remember, that we TalkShoers are responsible adults, many with families. Also, if you’ve ever been overseas, business people in most countries start drinking at lunch. We start, well, whenever we feel like it.

Our CEO Dave Nelsen is a wine maker himself and there’s always some of his excellent home brew in the cabinet under the sink, as well as several other quality wines.