Welcome to an insightful conversation with Khan Smith, the president of our company's Fun Committee. Established in 2019, the Fun Committee has been a key element of our workplace culture, bringing joy and fostering connections among colleagues. Today, Khan will share the story behind the committee's inception, its objectives, successful events, and plans for the future.

Could you share the inspiration behind the inception of the Fun Committee within our company?

Khan: I created the Fun Committee in 2019. The primary reason behind its creation stems from "Fun" being one of the 7 values of RGF Professional Recruitment Japan. RGF is committed to its employees' growth, encapsulated in the motto "Unleash Potential." I believe that to truly encourage individuals to develop and give their best to assist our clients and candidates in unleashing their potential, an element of fun is essential. Moreover, I see fun as an integral part of each employee's personality. I vividly remember my first team trip to Thailand, just a month after joining RGF as an Associate with minimal recruitment experience. The opportunity to travel to Thailand on the company's dime, despite my limited contributions, instilled a sense of pressure and motivation. Within a month, I made my first placement so when I left for Thailand with my team, I felt a genuine sense of contribution and satisfaction.

What are the primary objectives and goals of the Fun Committee?

Khan: To me, productivity is intertwined with enjoyment at work. When you derive pleasure from your tasks, productivity naturally follows. Therefore, it's crucial for companies to understand that infusing fun into work environments is pivotal for employee satisfaction. Creating a space where employees, regardless of their position, can gather around a table and exchange ideas is paramount.

Can you highlight some of the most successful events or activities organized by the Fun Committee thus far?

Khan: Halloween 2019 was really great. We transformed the meeting rooms into booths, with unique themes like the "Box of Unknown" and "Wheel of Misfortune," where participants had a slim chance of winning but huge chances of facing a challenge.

We also used to have an event each Friday evening and a different team was in charge of it every week. For example, the back-office team made crepes, while I prepared 10kg of fried rice. It was a healthy competition, and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Our company-wide Secret Santa event, with 200 participants, was also memorable, though I must admit, receiving toilet deodorant wasn't exactly my preferred gift!

How does the Fun Committee gauge the success of its events and activities?

Khan: We gauge success by the smiles on people's faces. Our external events are inclusive, welcoming employees to bring their families, children, and pets. When employees involve their families, it indicates their happiness and trust in our events.

How does the Fun Committee ensure inclusivity and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds and preferences?

Khan: For food-related events, we ask individuals with dietary preferences to communicate them, ensuring that our menus cater to everyone. Additionally, to avoid discomfort, we always include options suitable for everyone's needs (vegan, halal, etc.). As the Fun Committee, we refrain from organizing gender-specific events that may induce discomfort (e.g. Valentine's Day, White Day).

If individuals wish to do it, they can, but we don't do it as the Fun Committee.

What exciting plans does the Fun Committee have for the upcoming months or year?

Khan: We have an exciting lineup this year, including Hanami, BBQs, Halloween, Christmas, Secret Santa, and monthly breakfasts. Additionally, we are also planning language exchange events.

Lastly, how can employees engage with the Fun Committee or contribute ideas for future events?

Khan: Employees can reach out to us via our dedicated e-mail or contribute ideas through our virtual suggestion box.

We also always inform everyone about upcoming events so anyone can assist as needed or share ideas through the suggestion box.

As we wrap up our conversation with Khan, we're reminded of the importance of infusing joy and inclusivity into our work environments. The Fun Committee's dedication to creating memorable experiences for employees underscores the value of camaraderie and shared experiences in our workplace. With exciting events on the horizon, let's continue to embrace the spirit of fun and collaboration. Thank you, Khan, for your insights and commitment to making our workplace a more vibrant and enjoyable place to be.

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