As part of our culture at KWSM: a digital marketing agency, celebrating our team members is just as important as celebrating our clients, and our work. The best way to honor our team is to have monthly celebrations for birthdays or workaversaries. This could include lunch, or an outing, or a fierce game competition. When October celebrations come around, KWSM celebrates by hosting our annual Sugar Bowl. This is a fun competition that closely mirrors our Souper-Bowl in January. That’s where we all bring in crockpots loaded with delicious bisques, broths, chowders, and chilis. BTW, help us solve a raging debate in the KWSM bullpen. Is chili considered a soup? I digress.
Over the years, we’ve come to understand each others’ dietary restrictions. We have had vegetarians, dairy-free, gluten-free, and low-carb employees. While some may see this as limiting, it also reveals the character of our team, who go out of their way to create a dish that anyone could eat. Of course, winning the competition is also fun. We’re pretty competitive around here if you couldn’t already tell.
Leading up to the big day, we engaged in some playful banter about what desserts people would bring. Some people were open about their ideas, and others practiced absolute secrecy.
There was also debate on whether your dessert had to be Halloween themed. The ruling was no, but some of us think it adds to the fun!
The final spread included:
Why KWSM’s Culture is So Sweet: The Sugar Bowl
- Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberry, Topped with Golden Brown Graham Cracker Dust
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry Filling and Sea Salt Cups
- Devil’s Food Cake Cookies
- Dirt Cups
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Killer Donuts
- Krispy Kreme Donuts
- Mini Jack ‘O Lantern Apple Pies
- Monster Oreo Balls
- Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust
- Pumpkin Ice Cream Affogato with Dark Chocolate Shavings
- Salted Caramel Apple Cookies
This Sugar Bowl did not disappoint in the slightest. There was lots of creativity and effort spent with each dessert. We decided to host two categories that the desserts could win in. The first was theme or presentation which was left up to interpretation because some chose Halloween based desserts and some were just really pretty. The second was the best tasting dessert!
Our first place winner for the theme category was the Killer Donuts that were literally too cute to eat. They were decorated with glow-in-the-dark vampire mouths and had eyes and hair! The overall taste winner was Pumpkin Ice Cream Affogato with Dark Chocolate Shavings. This may not have been the best looking, but we all learned to not judge a book by its cover. It certainly won over the hearts of the vegetarian and gluten-free voters.
Ask any member of the KWSM team; our culture is a priority. That hour we take away from “business” once a month pays off in many times over. That team bonding and spirit through our culture helps grow the team’s trust and creativity.
How are you growing the culture of your business? We’re always looking for new ideas; share yours with us.
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