(inter)networking

Friday I was invited over for a chat with the nice folks at Shiny Media. I’ve been jumping between a few unique and very hip offices of late, but Shiny have the best set up so far. For one thing they’re atop an interesting building complete with a kooky elevator that allows you a nice overview of all the other creative types tucked away in open plan spaces below.

The first thing that strikes you when walking into the Shiny office proper is the male/female ratio.

There isn’t one.

I’m so used to walking into buildings filled with guys and a couple of women that it was momentarily disorientating to see so many geek girls all working in the same place. Not that Shiny is an all-female endeavor, but they certainly have the cream of the crop when it comes to the xx chromosome.

I hooked up with Katie and Ashley, both whom I’ve met before at various events, but this was the first chance we’ve had for a proper natter. Shiny are (correct me if I’m wrong) the UK’s first and largest commercial blog publishing company so it was interesting to bounce ideas around with them.

I’ve been popping into a few of the bigger and more established web companies this year and although they all strive for the non-corporate feel Shiny are the first ones to pull it off convincingly. It just felt like a great place to work - which is a big deal coming from an anti-office freelancer like myself.

A good day then despite initial bursts of terrorism, rain and men falling from the sky. Thanks to Darika for setting it up.

If you haven’t delved into the ever growing Shiny empire then a nice in is the ever growing number of videos they throw into their YouTube channel (here’s Ashley and Katie playing with a USB guitar!). I wish more companies did this.