Looking at Dennis Perkins’ 10 strategies from Leading At The Edge, I can relate a personal experience with strategy eight - Lighten Up!. For those of you who are not aware, Thirst Thursday relates to the idea that Thursday night is a time to drink and party. Who really needs Friday class after all…if you even have it to begin with. Thus, I was somewhat surprised to find out about regular Thirst Thursday events scheduled throughout the summer during my internship at the Nike World Headquarters.

For those of you unfamiliar with the company, Nike has most of its headquarters laid out in a campus-like environment surrounding a man-made lake. Most of the buildings are located either here (although most of the IT offices are a five-minute drive away). Once every two or three weeks in the summer, there is a Thirst Thursday event. This usually consists of some sort of entertainment (usually getting the interns to compete in some sort of activity or relay for prizes), along with music and beer being served. Seeing as many people only work a half-day on Friday’s, this Thursday afternoon event (at 4pm) represents the kick-off to the weekend.

It really is a celebration type of event. One morning I came into my office and on my voicemail was a message from music artist Babyface, saying that he would be performing a special concert at the Thirst Thursday event later in the day. Granted, I’ve never worked for another corporation of comparable size, but it was pretty fantastic what Nike was able to put together.

Everyone wants to work for Nike. It is the sports leader, has a great brand, and is a good environment to work. They don’t compensate that well, but they don’t have to because everyone wants to work for them and they do offer some nice benefits and perks…including events of this nature.

I had an up-and-down experience at Nike, but that has more to do with the nature of my project and manager than anything else. The culture was great and the events were fun…but even then I don’t know if I want to work for them again either short or long term.

Regardless, in having a specific element to point out as a way to celebrate and lighten things up, Nike’s Thirst Thursdays tends to do a pretty good job.

Reader Question: How does your company celebrate and is it on a time or results basis?