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If you've heard of Threadless, then you're already jealous of our visit today. If you're just discovering the crowd-sourcing t-shirt/art/product company, then you'll love getting a glimpse of their Chicago headquarters.

We were inspired by their incredibly unique workspace. Like a company that came alive from dot com success, they have ping pong tables, open workspace and lots of toys in an open warehouse building.

Recently, Threadless took their interior space to the next level. Divided into work zones, they held a contest giving each department the opportunity to decorate their work area. We're not talking paper cutouts on cubicle walls. We're talking intensive makeovers and themed spaces.

Threadless workerbees turned their spaces into a Victorian mansion, a country lodge, a skate park and many other wonderous creative playlands.

The result? Threadless has a workspace that is indeed a playspace. A workspace that employees have invested in. A workspace that employees are stoked to come into each morning. And a workspace that generates pride, enjoyment and productivity. Everyone wins.

This took some letting go...the company couldn't dictate what the space would look like. No color schemes, no thematic control, no control at all. Could you do that with your company? Would you? Are you willing to give your employees control of the space they spend the majority of their waking time at? It could pay off big time.

(Watch the wrap up video for Chicago, and you'll see some of the Threadless space plus Marketing guru Bob Manna chat about what works for them on Facebook and elsewhere for the brand.)

Labels: chicago, threadless, workspace

posted by darryl ohrt at 7:06 AM 0 Comments