Naked Friday: British Marketing Co. Works In the Buff

[spaceboots06]

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2009/07/08/naked-friday-british-marketing-co-works-in-the-buff/

Like a scene from the 'The Office,' the employees of British marketing company onebestway came in to work one Friday and proceeded to get NAKED. The idea came from David Taylor, a cheeky business consultant and psychologist hired by the company to boost team spirit.

"Inviting an organization to go naked is the most extreme technique I've used," he told The Sun. "It may seem weird, but it works. It's the ultimate expression of trust in yourself and each other." The move to bring in Taylor came after onebestway was forced through six rounds of layoffs.

The staff underwent a week of counseling and nerve building activities leading up to the big day. Tasks included photocopying body parts, sketching nude models and discussing at length. Finally, they were asked to strip down to their birthday suits -- but only if comfortable.

Amazingly most turned up in the nude. One man chose to fashion a pouch, and two female workers wore black underwear. The only female to go fully naked was front-of-house manager Sam Jackson, 23. "It was brilliant. Now that we've seen each other naked, there are no barriers," she said. "We weren't put under pressure. If we wanted to come in clothed or in our underwear, we could. But I love my body and wasn't ashamed."

The team was filmed for a one-time TV special, Naked Office, to be aired July 9 on British cable channel Virgin 1. Click here to watch a short clip of the show on The Sun online (thesun.co.uk).

But did the stunt work? According to Managing Director Mike Owen, "We have been so much closer since, professionally and personally. It's given us that boost I wanted." He added, "I recommend anyone to do what we did. It's not a sexual thing. If you do anything scary as a company, it encourages bonding."

 

[robanga]

Nice publicity for a marketing company, it will probably get them some clients. Somewhat not practical as a strategy for business as a whole.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

This was mentioned a while back, it was a firm up in Newcastle – however, this time around this caught my eye...

But did the stunt work? According to Managing Director Mike Owen...

So now we know the real reason why Michael Owen was so desperate to leave Newcastle.

 

[Gregg2]

Now that's taking Casual Friday to an extreme!

I wonder if they had to adjust the HVAC system?

 

[CHAOS STEP]

I would totally turn up and stay fully clothed and then maybe whip the old boy out every now and then, if someone moaned.

I really hate stuff like this though - not the being nude bit, but the whole team bonding crap you get in companies - like 'OMG you guys lets ... all be nude OMG!!! it will be FUN, we will be a great team buy looking at each other's meat and veg or hairy axe wounds!'

I suppose that it would be interesting to see what would happen if you popped a boner, I would be all cool like and say 'it's got a hair trigger mate it goes off over anything ... nice jugs by the way'.

If no one took advantage of the situation for pure comedic or masturbatory purposes I would be very disappointed.

 

[Mr. lax]

I would totally turn up and stay fully clothed and then maybe whip the old boy out every now and then, if someone moaned.

I really hate stuff like this though - not the being nude bit, but the whole team bonding crap you get in companies - like 'OMG you guys lets ... all be nude OMG!!! it will be FUN, we will be a great team buy looking at each other's meat and veg or hairy axe wounds!'

I suppose that it would be interesting to see what would happen if you popped a boner, I would be all cool like and say 'it's got a hair trigger mate it goes off over anything ... nice jugs by the way'.

If no one took advantage of the situation for pure comedic or masturbatory purposes I would be very disappointed.

Im going to have to agree with your sentiment towards stupid team building activities. If we honestly don't work well together, this stunt isn't going to improve our relationship. All i can see it accomplishing is awkward glances and getting called creepy for showing up in the buck and checking everyone else out