The Boxcutter: November Edition

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A Note From Danielle:

Thank you all so much for dedicating time to take the engagement survey. There was a 100% participation rate. Your feedback has been illuminating and honestly it made me feel really excited about being here because it is pretty cool to see how much people love working at Gear Patrol! The company values employee feedback and wants to ensure it has the pulse of the organization. This survey helps to provide management with insight into how an employee is balancing work and the goals of the organization. Next steps are: Studying more, turning feedback into actionable insights Sharing more with managers and E-team to discuss ideas and areas to improve within our means in 2023  Learning more from this survey and making sure we continue to keep making progress on our long-term goals

From the left, Emily Chang, Joe Tornatzky, Eric Yang

NoteworthyAnnouncements, happenings, tidbits and other notables

Employee Profile/GP Success Stories:

Let's give them a big round of applause - thank you!

How Do You Spend Your Friday Off?: The Jersey Boy Edition

From the left, Tucker Bowe, Jack Seemer, Ryan Brower 

Coming Up:

Please contact Justworks or Health Advocate if you have any questions about plans. 

Fast FiveFive questions with...

Where do you live now and where are you originally from?I currently live in Berkeley, California. I spent some time in the Bay Area in grad school, but grew up in Spokane, Washington.

What's your favorite thing to do on Saturday morning?Usually, I'll take the dog for a walk to CoRo, the local coffee shop and collaborative roasting facility, and then grab a bite to eat across the street at a place that specializes in fermented foods. Depending on what the weather's like, we'll then either head to the beach or go for a hike.

Is there something you've been obsessed with lately?It's been fascinating to rediscover Harry Partch's influence on Tom Waits. Trace it back to Swordfishtrombones, the 1983 album that marked Waits' transition from piano crooner to experimental bandleader. The instruments changed and Waits' general approach to sound changed as well (Partch was known for developing a just intonation scale with 43 pitches in each octave, further dividing the 12 pitches that commonly divide an octave in Western music). Partch lived in Petaluma for a bit, and Waits has a place between Sebastapol and Bodega, so I think of the connection whenever I'm up in Sonoma.

How do you stay energized for work?It's about balance. If I spend the work day inside sitting in front of a computer, then I spend some of the rest of the day outside on my feet or in the water. The Bay Area has countless regional parks with an endless amount of trails to explore and numerous beaches that cater to different surfing styles. 

Do you have any secret skills or talents we should know about?Years ago, when I was managing a French musician's American tour, we passed the time between shows driving long stretches of empty highway learning overtone singing. I'm a little rusty now, but if I have over 8 hours behind the wheel, I can pick it back up again.

Now, show us where you work (or are working from this month):My desk is nothing special: a computer, a monitor, a keyboard, a chair. Here are a few views from a typical week, though.

Bonus: What is your special Thanksgiving recipe? 

There's a place down in Los Altos that makes the best whole smoked turkey I've ever eaten, so I may have to make the drive to pick one up. As opposed to a more traditional side dish of brussel sprouts with bacon, we may do a Thai dish that uses brussel sprouts that I started cooking early in the pandemic. A chef who used to work in at Night+Market in L.A. was doing a pop-up a few blocks away cooking larb brussel sprouts — it was so good. So, I modified the Kris Yenbamroong's recipe and started making something similar at home.

Pro TipTake a Healthy Break! Turning your mind off your job will help you rejuvenate, and you’ll be able to focus better when you get back to your desk. It is critical to do something that recharges you on your breaks. Some work break ideas to try: Read a chapter from a book Shift your afterwork leisure to break time Complete a quick chore like laundry or unloading the dishwasher (this sounds counterintuitive, but assure you it is worth trying) Doodle in a sketchbookAny Pro Tip requests? P&C is on it. Ping Danielle.

The Takeaway

The Boxcutter's purpose is to close the communication gap as well as motivate, inspire and connect employees in addition to keeping everyone up to date with what’s going on in the organization. One question (found in the link below) will be asked at the end of each newsletter to close it out.

November Boxcutter Survey Question 

Thank you all so much!

Danielle