N2 Publishing: “Caught” in the Act

By Katherine Daniel, Direct of People Operations

Like many companies these days, N2 offers snacks, a casual dress code, and an in-office gym. But while those are great, they're just perks that live within four office walls––and they don’t apply when our people head home for the day or work remotely. N2 Publishing’s culture is something that exists within our team members. It’s positive, radiating, and motivating. It’s a shared attitude, and it’s something we deeply feel is worth celebrating and recognizing.

We love to honor team members who exemplify our culture and work hard to reach their goals. Every month at our Home Office Team Meeting – a gathering of all of our 200-plus team members who work out of our corporate office – we include a segment known as “Catching People Doing Things Right.” This is when we recognize a team member who was “caught” making N2 a better place to work because of his or her humility, willingness to help others, and ability to put a smile on someone’s face. Team members, supervisors, and N2 leaders use this time to share stories that highlight why this particular person exemplifies our culture and deserves a lot of praise. 

N2’s most prestigious recognition, though, comes in the form of an old, battered metal lunch pail. You’ve likely seen the classic 1932 “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” image: eleven construction workers casually sit in a row along a crossbeam, eating meals brought from home in their metal lunch pails while suspended at a whopping 800 feet above bustling New York City streets. Though the identities of many of the men pictured are still uncertain, there’s zero doubt they were fearless hard workers who truly went out on a limb to get their job done. That’s the kind of dedication and commitment N2 is proud to recognize with our acclaimed Lunch Pail Award. 

Given every year to a few Home Office team members, as well as some of our franchise business owners, this award represents the old-school work ethic embodied by the men in that historic photo. It isn’t given to team members who get the most sales or who’ve been with N2 the longest. Anyone on our team can earn this prized possession for making N2 a better place to work, and that’s what our culture is all about.