I’ve been diving into some interesting reads lately, specifically about the concept of the “Third Place.” Ever heard of it? Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term way back in 1989 in his book, “The Great Good Place,” describing social spots like cafes, pubs, and parks that aren’t home (the “First Place”) or work (the “Second Place”). These “Third Places” are crucial for community and connection, and their steady disappearance is concerning. But it got me thinking: As remote work rises, our traditional “Second Place”—the workplace—is also fading. Now, I understand why many people might not miss the daily office grind, but what does this mean for our company culture?
The “Third Place” is all about having a neutral ground to hang out, interact, and build a sense of community—places where you can relax and connect without any pressure to spend money and leave quickly. Over the last few decades, many of those spots have been paved over and privatized, with an increasing amount of socialization happening at work (any startup worth its salt had at least one office ping pong table in 2015). But ever since the pandemic, remote work has blurred the lines between home and work. Our homes are now our offices, and our phones make us reachable everywhere. This mashup makes it tough to maintain a vibrant company culture since we’re no longer gathering in a physical office every day.
The workplace has always been a crucial “Second Place,” where employees can build professional relationships, collaborate, and form a sense of belonging. Think about those impromptu water cooler chats where common interests are found, ideas are sparked, and connections are made. This is what we talk about when we talk about company culture. However, remote work challenges these traditions, making it essential to find new ways to maintain these cultural touchpoints.
At Quattro, perhaps not entirely by design, we have endeavored to take on these challenges. With our choice of office location, open floor plan, and hybrid work schedule, we’ve been able to create an environment that people want to be a part of, with little coercion needed.
When our lease was up a few years ago, we decided to ditch our old office in a corporate park for something more integrated with local businesses. We chose an HQ in an area with a charming, walkable, “downtown” feel. And we purposefully designed it with no formally assigned seating. Now when team members come in, it’s intentional and energizing, a far cry from the old 9-5 slog. Breakout rooms and conversation nooks help facilitate fluid collaborations while balancing privacy with camaraderie.
And office layout isn’t the only way to build culture. We kick off every week with a virtual “all hands” meeting to share successes and upcoming challenges, and we hold in-person Quarterly Business Reviews. We also have plenty of old-school happy hours and an annual Phillies game outing. Events like our Wing Wars and Pizza Wars get us exploring the community, hunting for the best eats, and voting on favorites (and engaging with those businesses on social media). And then there are “Waffle Wednesdays,” where one of our founders, Tom McNamara, mans the waffle iron and feeds the crew with seasonal favorites.
But building company culture isn’t all fun and games—we also like to give back. Public service and donation drives help define our company’s values and bring employees together to make a difference. Every spring, our team volunteers at the Jenkins Arboretum with cleanup efforts and invasive plant removal. We regularly host 50/50 prop bet pools, competitions, and brackets, with proceeds going to organizations we care about, like the ASPCA and DSI. Founding partner Scott Cohen is a long-time board member of the Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and that has led to a proliferation of pro-bono creative support for their annual Red Ball. This partnership allows us to make a positive impact and reinforces our commitment to compassion and community involvement.
With this blend of celebration, service, and silliness, there’s something for everyone who wants to be part of something. And our employees are happy. One of them recently told me, “The Wayne Pizza Wars competition was the best work event I’ve ever been involved in. It let me connect with all of these vivid, interesting people outside of the confines of our Google chat boxes. And it gave us something juicy to talk about, even if I disagree with their takes on the perfect cheese-to-sauce ratio.”
At Quattro, we’re blending the best of the traditional workplace with the flexibility of remote work. By combining virtual and in-person interactions, and actively engaging with our community, we’ve created a dynamic and fulfilling work environment. This approach not only preserves, but also enhances our company culture, keeping our team connected, motivated, and engaged—no matter where they are. As we navigate this new era of work, we’re committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive culture that values both professional and personal connections.