CEO Q&A: Do You Socialize With Your Team After Work or Outside the Office?

In each issue of Franchise Update magazine, we profile franchise CEOs and presidents, asking each the same set of questions. Throughout the year, we’ll be selecting one of those questions – and providing answers from those profiles. If you want to learn more about these franchise leaders and their thoughts on other topics, click the links with their responses to read their full profile.

This week we asked them: Do you socialize with your team after work or outside the office?

Shannon Hudson, CEO and Co-Founder, 9Round Franchising

I hardly ever do. We do throw a great Christmas party and a good birthday bash for me, but that’s about it. Read full profile.

Larry Oberly, CEO and President, SpeedPro Imaging

As much as possible. I always have, ever since my Baskin-Robbins days. Back at BR, we’d have parties at our home including several interesting games that my cast members created. The one I most remember is a team of six would each be given a number. Then someone from another team would shout out a number like 423,453, and the six had to order themselves in a line to show that number in the fastest time possible. It was so much fun seeing the teens crashing into each other to win. At RE/MAX, the team always celebrated big wins, and we were also big on hosting each other in our homes. When new global master franchises came to Denver for training, we’d often have a welcome reception at my home and the team always attended. It was a great way to build relationships. At SpeedPro, I joined a very close and engaged team that found reasons to socialize nearly weekly. It’s taken what I’ve experienced and made it even closer. Whether we take a late Friday afternoon in the office to have a laugh or two, or go tubing down a mountain slope, it’s great to continually bond with each other. Read full profile.

Jon Nobis, CEO, Two Men and a Truck

Not much. When you spend as much time as most leadership teams do at work, you become like a family. But I also respect that they have lives and families outside of work. The people who support them outside of work (when they are traveling, having long days, or are stressed) are very important to the success of the brand. Read full profile.

Rob Price, CEO and President, School of Rock

I love my team, and have great fun with them. At the same time, I want them to have a healthy separation between work and play. I know many close friendships have been formed among my team members, but I feel more comfortable protecting my team from me after hours! Read full profile.

Brian Petranick, CEO and President, RiseMark Brands

Occasionally, but not very often. I love my team and have no issues hanging out with them, but I am sure some would prefer that the CEO not be around (even though I am super fun). In addition, between travel, other competing priorities, and trying to spend as much time as possible with family, there aren’t very many opportunities. Read full profile.

Nicole Ossenfort, CEO and President, Liberty Tax

We may get together for a meal or to celebrate a successful project. Read full profile.

Tammy Whitworth, Chair and CEO, Window World

Absolutely! Whether it’s coming to my house for a dinner or pool party or meeting for a fundraising event, I like to arrange things that get the office together as regularly as I can. Such events work wonders for breaking down the barriers that can arise among those who don’t get to spend a lot of time working together. In my opinion, there’s nothing better for getting to know a co-worker than sharing a story over the dinner table. I truly enjoy listening to the owners and staff outside of work as they talk about their families, their individual lives, or their needs from corporate. Read full profile.