eZanga.com helps consumers find information on the web productively. It also provides online advertisers with local, regional, and national advertising, with a focus on generating high return on investments.
Catrina Sharp, marketing manager
How does your workplace foster creativity?
“Ten years ago, we were a tiny tech startup. We have moved to the status of award-winning small business, but we still have the fun, innovative ‘startup’ mentality. Every day there are new ideas and innovation is encouraged. When we have a new product, feature or slogan, we have brainstorming lunches to talk about them. Every employee knows that they can talk to their manager about new ideas and they will always be considered. We succeed together as a growing team and it is awesome.”
In terms of work/life balance, how does your company help you maintain a reasonable balance between personal and professional obligations?
“Livelihood and the work/life balance is important to the owners of eZanga. It is run by a husband-wife team (who have) four children. They understand the importance of time with family and encourage us to work within our 8 to 5 hours and use family time as family time. Every year we take a day off for a Family Fun day and go to Hershey Park with our families. eZanga provides transportation, lunch, T-shirts and admission to Hershey Park.”
Explain how your workplace maintains good morale and promotes a positive culture.
“In our world, personality is appreciated and people are rewarded for being themselves. Half the battle of joining a new company is trying to ‘fit in’ with the rest of the staff. The reality is that, at eZanga, you don’t have to ‘fit in’—just be you! If you visit our office, there is a considerable chance that you might find yourself participating in a prank. Whether you are pranking someone or being pranked, being able to have fun and laugh is a big deal around here.”
Funky Fun Stuff: Explain the kinds of things your company offers that allow you to unwind or temporarily escape the insanity.
“About once a month, we take an afternoon to go bowling, hang out at the local park or play games and let the whole company unplug and recharge. We’ve wrapped cubicles, built houses around cubicles, painted offices and decorated cars for special events or everyday fun. Every year we have a contest for best Halloween costume and take a trip to Hershey Park with our families. Working hard doesn’t mean you always have to be so serious! We live by the motto “work hard, play hard, eat hard” and I guarantee that if you took a poll for the employee favorite, “eat hard” would win by a landslide. People love food. When people are eating, they tend to be able to relax and naturally engage in conversation. Candy bowls in the conference room and snacks in the kitchen are small adjustments that make a big difference. We celebrate monthly birthdays with cake or ice cream sundaes and company milestones with lunch at a local restaurant. Just recently, we implemented catered lunches every day and the lunch room is always buzzing with talk about the latest blockbuster, viral video or pop culture event.”
Your Favorite Workplace Leader: Name the top executive in your company who exemplifies great leadership, and explain why he or she should be recognized.
“Rich Kahn, the CEO and co-founder of eZanga.com, is an effective leader because he makes a point to have excellent communication skills and practices. He does not dictate every detail and encourages innovation and idea sharing. His goal is to provide us (the team members) with the tools required to take a project from start to finish and encourage others to take ownership of their work.”
» Click here, for more from the Novemeber issue.
» Click here to return to the Best Places to Work homepage.
