Staff love Oz IT firm's epic Christmas parties

July 19, 2010

An Australian company that started life on a $10,000 credit card debt in a Sydney garage has become well-known and well-loved for throwing fabulous office parties and fun days for its staff.

Atlassian, which sells software used by many of the world's largest companies, has just raised $US60 million after selling a minority stake to a large US venture capital firm.

Its young founders, Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes, learned from search giant Google that keeping staff happy with a fun work culture and perks is critical to a successful business.

Each Friday the Sydney team knocks off at 1pm for a poker tournament and every year, the company stages an elaborate Christmas party for staff.

Past efforts include an 'amazing race'-type event around Sydney, a circus day (staff learned how to trapeze, juggle and unicycle) and a Robin Hood event where the team learned archery and rock climbing.

"We just want to make a place that's great to come to work because people just spend so much time at work, we just wanted to make an awesome environment," said Mr Farquhar.

Boosting staff morale with perks such as well thought-out office parties and team-building days have been proven to be vital to a firm's success.