Unveiling the Heart of Our Firm's Culture through "Friday Lunches"

Picture this: it's Friday morning and the excitement for the weekend ahead is palpable. But it's not just Friday – the day we eagerly look forward to every week, the day of our “Friday Lunch”. For those unfamiliar, let me take you through the heartwarming, palate-pleasing, and knowledge-enriching experience that defines our firm's culture.

In the era of hybrid work, maintaining personal connections with colleagues can sometimes feel like an uphill task. That is where these lunches come to a rescue as it’s the day when most people come to the office (the rosters are designed in a complimentary way). The lunches offer us the opportunity to not only catch up with our peers but also meet and welcome new faces in the firm. The lunch table becomes a place of stories, laughter, and shared experiences, all of which contribute to forging a stronger team spirit.

If variety is the spice of life, then "Friday Lunches" add a generous dash of excitement to our workweek routine. Every Friday, a set of colleagues are tasked with selecting a unique and fascinating cuisine for us to savor. From Thai curries to hearty Italian Pasta, the diversity in food mirrors the diversity in our team. Sometimes, professional chefs running small businesses come in to cook the cuisines they specialize in. And let's not forget celebratory cakes, birthdays, and work anniversaries are celebrated with the same enthusiasm as project milestones. It's a reminder that our journey is made sweeter by each other's presence and contributions.

Our Friday Lunches aren't just about food and fun; they're about feeding our minds too. The tradition of Lunch and Learn sessions turns our lunch break into a valuable learning opportunity where teammates from diverse backgrounds share the history and culture of the festivals they celebrate, the significance of rituals and if we are lucky, we get to taste some regional delicacies too! Other times, mini-trainings are conducted on topics ranging from honing client relationships to enhancing cross-office collaboration, to empower us as professionals.?

Our peers' experiences of past projects, business trips, and industry knowledge become a treasure trove of wisdom during these lunches, sharing successes and challenges fosters a culture of collaboration, it's a reminder that our growth is intertwined, and by lifting each other, we all rise. Additionally, these lunches are a platform for our senior leaders to share insights about recent industry trends and help us align our efforts with the firm's broader vision. This offers a chance for us to learn, grow, and contribute in ways that extend beyond our daily projects.?

In a world where remote work can sometimes leave us feeling disconnected, office lunches provide a haven of connection, learning, and celebration. They encapsulate the very essence of our firm's culture – one that values relationships, embraces diversity, and nurtures growth.?So, whether it’s the aroma of freshly ordered cuisine, the laughter that fills the air, or the knowledge shared over lunch, for Keplerites, “Friday Lunch” is a testament to who we are as a team.?

To learn more about the work and team at Kepler Cannon, head over to our?website.