“All work and no play make for a dull workplace… and a costly one.”

Organizations that provide opportunities for employees to playfully connect, bond, and build friendships see improvements in retention, engagement, and innovation. Intentional play at work creates a culture that benefits all employees’ physical and mental health and a company’s bottom line.

Kristi Herold helps connect people through play and helps companies unlock profit through play. Kristi’s vision is to get one million people playing annually. Her book It Pays to PLAY was born from the idea that play is a critical component of work.

Kristi spent 25 years connecting millions of people through play, and when the pandemic hit, was faced with the major challenge of pivoting to keep her business alive. What felt like a shot in the dark turned into a major business opportunity that helps connect people as well as helps companies unlock profit through play.

Kristi argues that a strong company culture does not come from having an organized event once a month (or year). There are ways to integrate playfulness throughout everyday work interactions.

No matter how serious your business is, make time to make those connections. When there is permission for bonds to be strengthened, everyone wins.

Interview Links:

It Pays to PLAY

25% off JAM virtual events and a free PLAYbook

Resources:

20,000 Scaleups

Scaling Up Summits (Select Bill Gallagher as your coach during registration for a discount.)

Bill on YouTube

Recruiter .com Short List (use code scaleup )

Kristi Herold — It Pays to Play

Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher