Peer pressure and social norms are powerful influences on behavior. –Andrew Lansley

Our Shared Behaviors

• NOBL is pronounced “no-bell.” As in the prize.
  • Please write it in all-caps: NOBL.
  • We call one another “Bells.”
• We never send internal emails. Always use Slack for internal communication.
  • The one exception: when you send a sales related email, BCC [email protected] so everyone can see and learn from your activity
• We work in the open.
  • You must use Notion to manage your NOBL to-do list and your list must be visible to your teammates (except where confidentiality is required).
  • If you have something you need someone else to do, tell them on Slack or in a meeting and then also create a task in Notion for them.
  • Make your Gcal transparent by default (you can change individual event settings); be sure to set your working hours, too.
  • Cameras on for all meetings. If you’re not feeling well enough to be on camera, please take a sick day. Also, of course, you can eat on camera for our internal meetings.
• We’re punctual and consider meetings vitally important to our work and culture. Be on time for internal meetings, and be two minutes early to client meetings. End meetings on time (or early if possible), as well.
  • Start every meeting with a Check In. Be mindful of the time constraint and shrink the check-in down to a “fist to five,” for example, if time is short.
  • If you’re last to a meeting, you’re on the hook to facilitate unless there’s a pre-designated facilitator or someone volunteers to take your place (they may want the practice, or are just being kind). Remember that an internal meeting is a great place to practice facilitation skills, and a chance to try out new approaches or flex a new tone and see how it fits. Don’t just go through the motions if you’re facilitating.
  • Recorders and notes are not required for internal (All Bells) rhythms. News and announcements should just be shared in #general by the folks with the news or announcements.
  • Attendance to internal meetings is required of all Bells (where roles apply). Repeated absences, not due to health or PTO, will be treated as a serious performance management issue. Account Leads are expected to ensure that account teams are not double booked during internal rhythms to the best of their abilities (of course, last minute shuffles happen).
• When we’re working on an account team, only one person should be out on vacation at a time. Plan together at the start of the project, if possible.
• We relish a good debate. Disagreement can lead to productive, healthy conversations and better work.
  • We encourage teams to ensure the focus is on the idea or concept and not the person.
    • Also, if we find ourselves in the same topic cul-de-sac yet again (i.e., rehashing the same topic), we call it out and shift the conversation to why we’re stuck
• Whenever possible, we have a buddy. In sales, scoping, facilitating, etc. Don’t go it alone.
• When we’re not expected to be onsite with a client we can work from anywhere, with a few caveats:
  • The timezone must overlap and be conducive with the team/client/work you’re on
  • Your wifi must be high speed and reliable
  • Your background must be professional and tidy (lighting, camera quality, attire, environment)
  • Your travel to/from the destination must happen on your own time or you must register this as time off in Gusto
• If someone hurts our feelings, we tell them directly asap. Don’t let it fester. Don’t use go-betweens (unless there’s a severe power imbalance). Share what happened for you and seek common understanding together (and ask for repair when it’s needed).
• We don’t bond over negativity. Try to avoid griping (about clients, others, the world outside) as a means of social connection. It’s easy to slip into and human, but it ultimately stains the fabric of our shared community.
• We prioritize existing client needs over new/prospective clients. However, always manage your time effectively on existing clients so you have some additional capacity for new business efforts.
• We typically dress business casual (fashion forward in front of clients). No suits ever, please and thank you.
• When conducting a workshop in person, we always buy new Post-its. Old ones don’t stick to the walls as well, or may have crumpled edges.
• We are obsessive about written communication.

  • Write like a human, not a consultant: Use simple words. Avoid jargon like the plague. Make your sentences muscular and active. Edit and keep only the sentences and words you need. If you struggle with this, ask another Bell to edit your prose and learn from their edits. Here’s some general tips:

    How We Write: Simply

  • We give a fuck about the Oxford comma. Please use it.

• We take intellectual property seriously.
  • Always use 2-factor authentication on your accounts and a passcode on your devices. When traveling, use a privacy screen on your laptop. Use strong passwords and a password manager.
  • The work that we do and the documents we use are proprietary intellectual property of NOBL. You’ve signed a Confidential Information & Invention Agreement as a part of your offer letter. We are sincerely committed to protecting our IP and client relationships. The work product you create here is to remain with NOBL.
• When we close the office down together (up to 3 weeks a year), we stay offline.
  • Here’s some OOTO language for your email: Every year, NOBL closes for a short break in order to ward off burnout and increase our creativity. We hope you’re planning some time off, too! I’ll be back in the office on [XXX], and will respond to your email promptly.