Join a start-up and stay fit
With novel ideas that change the way a company works and plays, start-ups are great place to work for the young and independent minded.
They are also innovative when it comes to throwing parties, focusing increasingly on activities that build energy and good health. One popular Australian start-up made the news last year when it replaced the traditions of the year-end party with fun challenges and outdoor games.
The way of throwing company parties in Thailand has also changed, Strong businesses spend money to invite famous stars and singers to stir up the staffs’ spirit. Technology start-up companies like Younet and Vemba have turned their parties into “flights”, designing invitation cards like flight tickets for the recipients to share on Facebook. Such parties make employees feel appreciated rather than forced to attend.
Topica Edtech Group, the leader in online education in Southeast Asia, gave the start-up community a surprise with its recent Songkran party on the theme Topica Galash.
Some 200 Thai, Vietnamese and Filipino employees working at Topica joined the fitness party by taking part in the “22 Push-up Challenge", running 3km and overcoming 13 obstacles.
Bui Trung Hieu, founder of Terrabook, which is now in managing a large product for Topica, says: “From the day I joined Topica, I faced many challenges and projects from Vietnam to Thailand and Philippines ... but was mostly sitting in the office. Thanks to the start-up’s fitness challenges, I feel fresh, motivated and have good health. I also participate in Topica Happy Running Club and run regularly. Therefore, although the Galash this time is very challenging, I got through it all. I believe that exercise is very important for startup people."
Topica Edtech Group’s chief executive and his two deputies joined in the fun, completing a half marathon and one or more sections of Ironman 70.3. More than 100 managers and staff also completed the 5, 10 and 21km of the LDR Marathon in Vietnam in January.
Topica Edtech Group has added physical fitness as a mandatory criterion for its annual talent recruitment programme. Deputy CEO Nguyen Thanh Trung says, “If you are progressive, willing to speak up, ready to do hard work, ready to challenge in new positions in many countries and you are healthy, you meet the rigorous criteria for earning a place in the company.”
