There are over 12,000 “cutting edge” companies now officially registered in Detroit, along with 6,500 “leading edge” and 3,400 “edge-to-be-determined” businesses. Companies are permitted to use the word “edge” when they do cool things for employees. This month we recognize these three:
TravelGoose: Works with hotels across the world to provide packages for people who want to go to places where they can see a lot of geese.
Why it’s cutting-edge:
- Provides substitutes to attend kids’ ballgames and concerts when parents have to work late
- Has ceased former practice of making employees who don’t achieve goals sit outside the CEO’s door wearing a dunce camp
- Every Monday, a man named Steve comes in and sings “Some Enchanted Evening” to the entire staff.
CrunchMe: Manufactures “tiny” homes in the Midtown area, all 43 square feet or less and renting for around $1500 per month
Why it’s cutting-edge:
- Shares all employees social security numbers, fostering “trust and camaraderie”
- Mandates that everyone refer to their colleagues as their “team” and disciplines those who violate the policy
- Once each month, select employees get to hold their immediate boss’s head under water for 30 seconds
WayUp: Places data on the cloud but won’t tell anyone where it is, including owner of data, thus ensuring high security
Why it’s cutting-edge:
- An employee assistance program provides free counseling for employees with personal problems, and for a small fee will keep the problems confidential
- Awards gift cards to employees who report their colleagues for making personal calls on company time
- Requires that employees change workstations every 17 minutes, to spur excitement and creativity
