At Peer Insight, we foster a culture of purposeful play. Our office runs something like the newsroom on the Mary Tyler Moore Show (without Lou Grant).
Years of helping businesses succeed has proven to us that a company culture isn’t just a big thing, it’s the only thing. We not only compete based on our culture, but we have to live in it every day. And we know that our workplace satisfaction is directly tied to your satisfaction with our work.
The Peer Insight culture is guided by five core intentions.
- Respect for different strengths. Diversity of thought trumps group think.
- Intellectual curiosity. Seek new discoveries. Experiment courageously. Blaze new trails. Achieve tangible results.
- Early turns at bat. People surprise themselves and others with what they can do. Unleash the possible.
- Meritocracy. Reward those who learn fast, acquire valuable skills and make unique contributions.
- Communitarian ethos. Interact with generosity. Provide rich feedback. Have fun. Win together.
140.6 Miles for Homelessness
Peer Insight has developed a strategic partnership with Carpenter’s Shelter,
an Alexandria, Virginia non-profit that is working to end and prevent homelessness. After Carl Fudge joined the firm in 2008, he inspired us all to get more involved with our community through service, which is how we first came to know of Carpenter’s Shelter. Peer Insight employees initially volunteered at Carpenter’s Shelter through the Spring for Alexandria service event. These volunteers have since returned to serve lunch at the shelter and to take a group of children out to the dinner and a movie.
Carl recently presented Carpenter’s Shelter with a wonderful opportunity. In August, Carl will be competing in his first Ironman triathlon in Louisville, Kentucky. As part of his triathlon, he will be raising money for Carpenter’s Shelter. His goal is $5,000. You can support Carl in his triathlon and effort to raise money for Carpenter’s Shelter at his fundraising page, http://tinyurl.com/carlsironman.
Interested in a career at Peer Insight?
We are always interested in hearing from passionate individuals. Currently we are looking for a Senior Director of Consulting an Innovation Strategist, an Innovation Strategist, Design Research & Service Design and a Research Director. Contact us at careers@peerinsight.com.What shapes our thoughts and expands our horizons?
Ideas and inspiration are a big deal, too. We need some way to let these Designers and Strategists walk in each other’s shoes. So we read a lot, and share our favorite books. Below are the results of a recent survey in the office.
Hey, What Are You Reading?
Understanding Comics, by Scott McLeod
A brilliant piece of scholarship, presented entirely in comic book form, that explains how comics work on the visual level, the narrative level, and the neurological level. Un-putdownable. (Jenny Lynn Cargiuolo, innovation program leader)
The Monk and the Philosopher: A Father and Son Discuss the Meaning of Life, Jean-Francoise Revel & Matthieu Ricard
A wonderful conversation, between East and West, and between a father and his son, whose lived values could hardly be further apart. The dialogue occurs in Kathmandu, where the men explore questions that have occupied humankind throughout history. (Shahan Rifat, design strategist)
Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell
Another effortlessly insightful novel from Gladwell who this time seeks to understand the cultural, educational and, occasionally opportunistic drivers of success. (Carl Fudge, innovation program leader)
The Past and Future of America’s Economy: Long Waves of Innovation that Drive Cycles of Growth, by Robert Atkinson
This highly readable economics book breaks the past 200 years of US history into 50-year chunks and finds us poised at the ramp-up of the next cycle of growth, current financial hiccups notwithstanding. (Tim Ogilvie, co-founder)
The Future of Life, by E. O. Wilson
Harvard biologist emeritus Wilson gives a sobering yet thrilling account of the human race “passing through a bottleneck.” There’s still much we can do, and he spells out how we can do it. (Gordon Hui, co-founder)
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver
Combines two of my favorite things – Barbara Kingsolver and food – and shows us what it means to “go local.” The few sacrifices necessary are easily offset by the many joys of community and sustainability, both near-term and long-term. (Katie Waterson, vice president)
Hot, Flat and Crowded, by Thomas Friedman
A tough and pointed look at the greatest challenge facing America and the world today, and the innovation necessary to meet the needs the world has never faced before. (Katie Waterson, vice president)
Stuck on My Nightstand (I know I should read it, but I just can’t seem to get started):
The Cognitive Dynamics of Computer Science, by Szabolcs Michael deGyurky
It comes highly recommended, and the author dedicates the book to Immanuel Kant, but so far I just keep saying “Can’t.” (Tim Ogilvie, co-founder)
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin
I bought this book at the height of the election fervor when I heard that Mr Obama had been spotted reading it. I'm also fascinated with the concept of driving innovation through teams constructed of divergent backgrounds and viewpoints (Carl Fudge, innovation program leader)
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Recommended by colleagues and friends (including some applying to study under Csikszentmihalyi), I keep picking up Flow and reading chapters in no particular order. I have to imagine the author would prefer I approach the book with more self-controlled, goal-oriented, meaningful actions likely to encourage a state of flow. (Jenny Lynn Carguiolo, innovation program leader)