Peter Brown, chief executive
of the advertising agency
Prophecy Unlimited, started
running with clients in Bristol
a year ago. “It’s not for every
client,” he says. “But when
we run, we’ll talk about things
we wouldn’t talk about face to
face. It’s a different dynamic;
there’s less pressure.”
Brown, a keen cyclist, has
also led colleagues on an
annual Bristol to London ride
for the past few years.
Exercise helps him to unwind.
“What I’ve found good is
having something pretty
extreme to push my body, and
the endorphins I get. It’s a
fantastic release for me. It’s
replaced going to the pub.”When cyber security firm
Panaseer was started
in 2014 from Nik Whitfield’s
basement in Surrey, the
four founders would finish
work early once a week to go
running. Four years later, and
with a team of 35, the running
group has been joined by
clubs for yoga and climbing.
“They all help us connect
to each other in different
ways,” says Whitfield. “When
we exercise together, we’re
at our most human – we’re
sweating and pushing our
limits. Knowing each other
on this authentic level builds
trust and respect in a way
that no contrived team-
building session ever could.”At the fintech company
Oradian in Zagreb, Croatia,
all one-to-one reviews
happen while walking in the
city. Management meetings
are hikes on nearby Mount
Medvednica, and team
members often walk, bike
or run together. Mihaela
Smadilo, head of talent and
culture, says taking work
discussions outside of the
boardroom has really helped.
“You’re more direct, more
genuine, more human
almost,” she says. “Three
hours walking in a forest on a
brainstorming session really
changes your perspective
and brings more passion.”Being tired becomes the
norm for an entrepreneur,
according to Amber
Williamson, founder of
London-based Digital Willow.
“You need to figure out how
to squeeze more juice out
of your own battery.” For
Williamson, the answer is a
treadmill desk, which she
uses on a high incline. She
says she’s been able to write
emails, do sales training,
take client calls and interview
people while walking on it,
and describes the benefits
as life-changing. “There’s
something about getting
your blood pumping that
gives you so many ideas.”‘WE TALK ABOUT THINGS
WE WOULDN’T TALK
ABOUT FACE TO FACE’‘KNOWING EACH OTHER ON
THIS AUTHENTIC LEVEL BUILDS
TRUST AND RESPECT’‘WE HAVE SEEN
MORE TEAM SPIRIT
AND ENERGY’‘IT REALLY
CHANGES YOUR
PERSPECTIVE’‘GETTING YOUR BLOOD
PUMPING GIVES
YOU SO MANY IDEAS’FIVE FIRMS
MAKING
STRIDES
Giving every employee two
personal trainer sessions
every week – during working
hours – has brought the
Airtasker team closer
together, says Tim Fung,
co-founder of the startup
based in Sydney, Australia.
“We have seen more team
spirit and energy, and the
scheme has had a tangible
effect on morale,” he says.
“I’m a firm believer time lost
on exercise is made back and
more in terms of improved
productivity.” Fung himself
tries to run before work
to clear his head because,
he says, “it improves
focus, reduces stress, and
increases motivation”.PETER BROWN NIK WHITFIELD
TIM FUNG
MIHAELA SMADILO AMBER WILLIAMSON
14
3
25
ILLUSTRATION:^ MARLYGALLARDO;^ RAMI^ NIEMI