A Day at Citrrus
We officially start the day around 9am, though some of us get in a little earlier. Whoever gets in first starts the coffee, which for us is a pretty key office ritual. Somehow along the way we got a little particular about our coffee, so no folgers crystals here! All team members know how to operate the 1950s vintage burr grinder and measure out just the right amount of organic fresh-roasted beans.
Once we get our morning fix, each team gets together for their 15 minute daily stand-up meeting (we practice agile management) where each team member quickly shares what they accomplished the previous day and what they are working on for today. After the stand-up, each day is a little different. We like to include everyone, even our most junior team members, in nearly all phases of a project (how else do you grow great leaders). Depending on where we are in a particular release, team members may be involved in strategy and design work, client meetings, or heads-down individual work.
Around noon we like to take a break for lunch and typically don't schedule meetings during this time. Whether they bring their lunch or run out and grab something, many team members enjoy eating together in the conference room. Lunch time is typically full of lively conversation about everything from current events and politics to technology and pop culture. Right around now, the bar that occupies the space below us (and the patio outside our window) usually starts playing music just loud enough that we can hear it out the window. It really complements and pushes the lively atmosphere up a notch.
After lunch, when everyone is hitting their stride, is when a lot of our heavy collaboration usually happens. We highly value teamwork at Citrrus and have gone to great lengths to promote collaboration. Our open office layout and radical colocation of teams makes it easy to work out a tough problem togther on the white board, or pull up beside a coworker and ask a few questions.
Toward the end of the day it's not uncommon to see a few team members that are wrapped up in what they're working on and plan to stay a bit late. Often this means dinner plans and even late night social plans develop among those hanging around the office. Having a bar downstairs makes an impromptu round of drinks fairly easy to come by.
