From Within The Loop: An inside look at Apple

In this installment of From Within The Loop I bring you an inside look into Apple culture. What’s it like to work in Cupertino? Is it true that employees work from 11am to 4pm? Is there a dress code or can you wear whatever you want? Well I’m here to dish the dirt and tell you how it is.

Apple is famous for it’s address, 1 Infinite Loop. It’s also part of the fabled Silicon Valley corporate culture. What I can tell you is that it’s not all fun and games. Like any other company employees get to work in the morning, I’d say most by 9am and leave at 5 or 6 in the evening. Pretty standard.

What isn’t standard . . . volley ball and basketball games during lunch time. Most notably in the spring and summer months, you can find Apple employees enjoying a game of volleyball on the ‘quad’ or taking up a basketball game on the court. Apple also has a sand volleyball court, but I’ve never actually seen anyone using it.

Can anyone find that employee handbook, I can’t seem to figure out what to wear . . . I couldn’t find it either. Apple employees dress however they want. Jeans and t-shirts are pretty much standard, and shorts in the summer are a must. Apple doesn’t care what you wear as long as you’re doing good work, and that’s the way it should be.

Corporate America should take some cues from Apple. Keep your employees happy and they’ll continually do amazing work. Apple gets it. When you spend more hours of your day at work than at home there should be something inherently fun about it. If goofing off for two hours to get a game of volleyball in yields the next iPhone like device I’d say it’s money well spent....