SF_DigitalHandbook (5)

this makes you
one of us.

SLY FOX MANUAL

first edition

SLY FOX MANUAL

table of contents 04
06
Introduction 11
16
Section I: We Keep It Real 20
Section II: Core Values
Section III: We Work Together
Section 2: FAQ

3

INTRODUCTION

introduction

Sly Fox is rare, and working here is different.
It’s that difference that makes us special. We take an
honest approach to daily living called “keeping it real.”
For those that are used to another way of working, relax
and trust us to help you get through it. We’ve created
this manual to give you everything you need to not just
survive, but thrive here, whether that’s on your first day,
or on day one-thousand-and-one.

This book won’t provide details about your 401(k),
access to the internal server, nor will it tell you if
Beyonce’s Lemonade is really a tell all about Jay-Z, nor
will it help you become a cast member on Game of
Thrones. What it will do is help you to understand our
values and the way we make decisions as a team and as a
company.

This manual belongs to you. It’s fun, clever and a
way to help you get to know the real Sly Fox. You’re the
owner, so take ownership. Read it. Share it. Change it.
Keep it close when you need to slip out of a chicken
coop...like a fox.

4

OVERVIEW

overview

Who is Sly Fox? We are a group of wildly unique
individuals. We celebrate our differences, and the diverse
viewpoints and skills that are distinctively our own. Along
the way, we’ve discovered that most of us share a love of
puppies, the occasional shot of Fireball, and that what
makes us excited to get out of bed every morning is
pretty much the same. We do what we do because what
we value most are the connections we make and share
with the people in our lives.

Our passion to build trust and meaningful
relationships is not only our inspiration, but is also the
foundation for all that we do. We know the importance
of balance, both in our own lives, as well as in the
work we do for our clients. We have created a work
environment that allows you to do what you do best,
and the freedom and responsibility to get the job done.
Throw in some wicked communication skills, wisdom
gained from our collective experiences, a whole lot
of resourcefulness, along with a generous amount of
wit, and you start to get a better idea of who we are.
#WeAreSlyFox

We insist on a work environment that encourages you
to be your real self. At our foundation, we believe in a
core set of values: balance, freedom and responsibility,
trust, communication, passion and resourcefulness. You’ll
see those words often in your #SlyFoxBook...They’re a
pretty big deal.

5

SECTION I:

WE KEEP
IT REAL

6

WE KEEP IT REAL we need people like you

fox facts We hired you for a reason. There’s no
need to prove yourself or worry about “fitting
truth #1: in.” You’re here. You made it. You get
it. Let your work do the convincing.
Don’t be afraid to fail. And when
you do, you might as well fail spectacularly. we hire differently
This is how we grow and learn.
Most companies operate under the premise that
truth #2: employees should be replaceable like parts of an
assembly line. We choose our people more carefully.
You have a voice. Yours is as valuable as anyone What that means: You are more than your title.
else’s. Use it. Because we will surely be using ours. Bring yourself (rough edges and all) to work each day,
not your “director of ” or “manager of ” costume.
truth #3:
7
Be yourself. That’s how you’ll fit in here.
Do you love Celine Dion? Do you like to cover
your desk in the finest Arabica coffee beans or
your X-Men action figure collection? There’s no
need to hide it. We want your flavor in the mix.

WE KEEP IT REAL

let your voice be heard

There are a lot of bad habits out there. One
of the most common is the way we talk (or don’t talk)
to each other. In an industry that requires a ton of
communication, between clients, other agencies and
vendor partners, it’s important to get it right. So first,
don’t be silent. That only creates more problems, and
nobody’s got time for that. Second, we get it. Our
business can be stressful, and from time to time it may get
the best of you. We believe it takes less time and energy
to be positive than it does to be miserable. Swimming in
a pool of negativity isn’t just unproductive, it’s plain bad
for you and the people around you. Struggling to find
the good? Use your voice. Seriously, we’ll help. Third,
marketing blah, blah, blah. Come on, do we really need
more acronyms and buzzwords? Sometimes all that blah,
blah, blah just leads to empty rhetoric. Remember, we
want to keep it real.

8

WE KEEP IT REAL things you shouldn’t say
“That’s the way I’ve always
you’re free as a fox
done it.”
At Sly Fox, we give you an incredible amount
of freedom and autonomy. That goes for everyone - Not here. Evolving isn’t only essential to
from interns on up. It is up to you to be resourceful and survival, it’s also very, very clever.
figure out how to approach a problem. No one is going
to force you to do it their way. When someone is always “That’s not my job.”
telling you what to do, life can become pretty boring,
which prevents you from being invested in what you’re If you ever hear someone say this, start
doing. We believe there’s a better way. Don’t you? flipping desks. It’s all your job.

work like a skulk “Who cares?”

Not sure what that is? Hey, we didn’t know either. Well, we do.
Put your resourceful nature to work, and Google that. So basically... Wake up. Kick ass. Repeat.
Our structure calls for teamwork and collaboration. Get shit done.
Being a leader may feel unnatural at first, but your
skill, your opinion and your voice matters here. So 9
bring your own flavor to the mix, throw in a little zest
here and there, and remember to keep your eye on
the prize. Because when we get it right, we all win.

WE KEEP IT REAL three simple rules:

more than a title 1 Pretend you’re talking to your mom.

You can’t replace one person with another and Your mom doesn’t know what “TRP” or “PA
expect the exact same results. Workplaces that try to tour” mean. And it’s not because she’s not a
control human nature become miserable fast. You’re smart lady. She’s just not entrenched in industry
here because we believe in you, not because we can jargon.
always find another you. Nothing is further from
the truth. You are a part of this team and we care 2 Don’t be afraid to ask.
about our chemistry more than most would think. Sometimes you may need to stop and ask
someone to define what something means. It’s
everyone is creative OK. This is a judgment-free zone. We know the
only stupid questions are the ones that don’t get
Creative is a quality, not a title. If you doubt asked.
yourself, we will find the creativity inside you and
drag it out for all to see. We don’t ask questions like, 3 Get on the same page.
“Whose name goes on the award entry?” Instead, Sometimes the words don’t matter as long as
we ask questions like, “Is this project right for us?”, everyone’s speaking the same language. But
“Is this client a good fit?”, and “How can we do if it’s not working, then use your voice and
something unique and innovative that nobody would acknowledge that words are getting in the way,
ever see coming?” and trust that we all want to do something
about it.
the disciplines
10
There are basically two disciplines that make-up
Sly Fox. Out-of-home and experiential. They’re like
peanut butter and chocolate...great on their own, but
put them together and amazing shit happens. Want
to know more about what someone does? Just ask.
Caring enough to ask builds trust and stronger teams...
and adds to your own clever set of skills.

SECTION II:

CORE
VALUES

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CORE VALUES communication

balance We’re in the business of helping our clients
communicate and build relationships with their
Work/life balance is optional at some other customers, so it is a no-brainer that we should always
places. Not here. We’re human beings with basic needs be striving to do our very best in communicating with
that have to be met in order for us to bring the talent each other. You have a voice, and you’re encouraged
and thinking needed to build something great. We are and empowered to use it. We’re all teammates, there’s
a group of trusted team members, each with different no “parents and kids” situation here. Communication
life circumstances, schedules and responsibilities. If is transparent, two-way, honest, real-time, judgment-
you need to work from home, have at it. Need to leave free and no “keeping things from the kids.” We insist
early? That’s OK. We trust you to #TCB (take care of on showing respect and appreciation for each other,
business). If the work is getting done and the clients our clients and our vendors. This doesn’t mean we’re
are happy, we’re good. We believe time off is good for “yes women/men,” because we believe that good
morale. We don’t expect you to be “on” 24/7. It is disagreement is essential to progress. It’s all in the
good to disconnect! And nobody is making a mental attitude.
note if you came in at 9:42am, or left at 4:30pm. We # J o y To W o r k W i t h
know sometimes you’re still grinding away at 7:52pm. #StopCollaborateAndListen
Trust us, we’re not interested in “keeping score.” If you #GoldenRule #ExpressYoself #FoxTalks
are, then you’re just not getting what we’re all about. # O n e Te a m O n e D r e a m
# Yo u D e f i n e Yo u r D a y
#AHappyFoxIsABalancedFox “Communication must
#WorkHardPlayHard be HOT. That’s Honest,

“You’ll never feel truly Open & Two-way.”
satisfied by work until you
— Dan Oswald
are satisfied by life.”
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— Heather Schuck

CORE VALUES

freedom & responsibility

We believe that empowering people, giving them
the tools and resources needed to do the job, and the
freedom to determine how to get the job done, creates a
company culture that leads to a happier, more productive
team. You’re an adult, and we trust you to do great work
in a way that works for YOU. We don’t get so tripped up
on how you get it done. Bottom line, communicate with
the team when you’re going to be away from the office,
and make sure the work is covered. You’ve also got the
freedom and power to grow your career and add to your
skill set. You’re also a resource. Have mad ninja skills that
could be put to use for the greater good? Do the “R”
part of #FandR, and let the team know.
#MakeSmartChoices #Empowered
# M a s t e r O f Yo u r O w n D o m a i n

“With great power comes
great responsibility.”

— Uncle Ben, Amazing Fantasy #15
(the first appearance of Spider-Man)

CORE VALUES resourcefulness

passion We’re teammates, we’re friends and we can
learn a lot from one another. Never be ashamed
Never underestimate the power of passion. to ask for assistance. Never feel like you are exposing
Without passion, Michael Jordan and Madonna wouldn’t yourself because you don’t know something. Your
be household names. Passion is more than a hobby. team is filled with resources. But be wise enough to
It is something that drives you, intensifies focus, fuels seek information and answers from alternative sources
innovation and boosts creativity. We get excited just such as the world of knowledge on the web, our
talking about it! That’s because passion creates energy client or vendor partners, former classmates, family
and happiness. It is also contagious and absolutely members, colleagues and so on. The person that stops
priceless. at Plan A will always lose to the person that took the
#DoWhatYouLove #PassionInAllWeDo time to dig in their bag of tricks for a solution.
# F i r e I n Yo u r B e l l y #GetShitDone #Empowered #WorkSmarter

“What good is having a bel- “Losers wait for motivation.
ly if there’s no fire in it? Wake Winners just get shit done.”
up, drink your passion, light a
— Marie Forleo
match, and get to work.”
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— Simon Sinek

CORE VALUES

trust

A group cannot function and thrive without
genuine trust. Trust is more than knowing that your
teammates don’t mean you any harm. It means that your
opinions, ideas, good days and bad days are respected
enough for you to share. It means that you are truly
appreciated. It means you will see every member of
the team receive regular emotional deposits to establish
a peaceful calm and a priceless sense of freedom that
makes everyone better. It means that everyone, no matter
what leadership role they may have, can be wrong. It
also means being wrong is never the end of the world.
It means the best ideas can come from anywhere and
anyone, that you will notice this in the work that we do
and in the processes we fine tune to come up with the
best strategies, concepts and solutions. Trust isn’t simply
a warm feeling. It’s something we practice as a skulk.
#GotYourBack #Defender
#NeverGonnaGiveYouUp #GlueOfLife

“We need people in our lives with whom
we can be as open as possible. To have
real conversations with people may seem
like such a simple, obvious suggestion,

but it involves courage and risk.”

— Thomas Moore

15

SECTION III:

WE WORK
TOGETHER

16

WE WORK TOGETHER take care of the skulk

rank & file There’s that term again (Google it now if you
didn’t before). Some people like to pretend that the
You have mentors and collaborators, not technical work is all that matters. They’re wrong. We
bosses. We all make stuff here. If you want to climb a know that sometimes it can be difficult to work with
ladder, you’re in the wrong place, my friend. Those who others. Our solution is simple. Get to know each other.
show up and tell other people what to do don’t usually Understand who they are and it’ll be much easier.
last long. Plan to get your hands dirty like the rest of us. You are part of a team, and maintaining the health
and harmony amongst the team is part of the job.
you are allowed
to have fun own your space

In fact, we want you to have fun! If you’re having fun, We love our den. We treat this place like a second
then you’ll look forward to coming to work. No need for home, and we take care of it accordingly. Your mess
a hot key just in case you need to hide the video you’re is yours. Own it. We know you can do it. Remember
watching if “the boss” walks by. Staying current and not earlier when we said we believed in you.
living under a rock is part of your job. Want to celebrate
National Donut Day in the office? So do we! Want to our partners
put your headphones on and listen to some tunes? Ok,
no problem. Just do your best, keep raising the bar, and Collaboration with our clients and vendor partners
#TCB. is a big part of what we do. Our belief is that we
really are strategic collaborators, working with them
to deliver solutions to achieve their business goals and
objectives. Don’t forget that part about not being “yes
men/women.” If you really believe in a strategy or
tactic, or think that something just isn’t going to work,
you’re empowered to use your voice. Never just say
“no.” Offer up alternative solutions. And don’t forget,
it’s all in the attitude of how you deliver it.

17

WE WORK TOGETHER

all are welcome

We designed our space to be clever and
functional, and we love to show it off. Anyone is
basically allowed anywhere, anytime. Is your family in
town? Awesome! Bring them by to meet the team. Just
warn them first that they may see some messy desks and
people with their sleeves rolled up and hard at work. But
hey, that’s the real us.

we are all students;
we are all teachers

The idea of student becoming teacher and teacher
becoming student is at the core of what we do. We
share and learn from each other, daily. That’s why we
encourage you to be curious and resourceful. While we
don’t expect you to hold anyone’s hand, we expect you
to be a mentor as much as possible. They say teaching is
one of the best ways to learn.

we value your opinion

We’ve found that the best work happens when people
can have a good, passionate debate about an idea.
Never be afraid to speak your mind. Just be honest and
respectful.

WE WORK TOGETHER we have fox puppies

be brave The title “intern” isn’t always a glamorous one, but
it’s one of the best jobs you can have. Interns get to make
No one gets in trouble for pushing the limit. It’s your all the fun mistakes. We value our interns as contributors
job. It’s the reason people look at our work and say, with a fresh point of view. Show them the same respect
you’d give anyone else… unless they don’t clean up after
“That’s the kind of themselves.
work I want to do.”
we avoid unnecessary it’s okay to disconnect
meetings
Sometimes you just need a mental health
A two-hour meeting with six people doesn’t waste two break. It’s not healthy to stay seated in the same place
hours. It wastes twelve hours. If you can’t think of the for eight hours or more at a time. It is also terrible for
purpose, you probably don’t need to have it. If you no- productivity. You aren’t chained to your desk. Get up.
tice the last few mandatory status meetings didn’t cover Go grab some coffee. Or call your parents. Go get a
anything new, maybe status should take place every two sandwich. Go sit in the sunshine and read a book. You
weeks or be covered in an email. We do our best to avoid get the picture.
time management issues. There is a time and place for
everything. And sometimes, time is simply too precious. 19

“Run Forrest! Run!”

SECTION IV:

FAQ

20

FAQ my grandma/bff/
boyfriend/kid wants to see
why are some people where i work. can i bring
wearing yoga pants? them by?

We’re relaxed, really relaxed. You bet! We’re Grandma/BFF/Boyfriend/
Kid friendly. The door is always open.
what are our office
hours and do we have do i need to sit at my desk?
special summer hours?
Not at all. We asked you to get off your
We’re big on balance, but not so much on ass not too long ago. How dare you
rigid hours of operation. What did you skim over that. Shame on you.
decide your work day would look like
when you made your balance plan? is it really ok to
work from home?
can i bring my dog
to the office? Yes, you are empowered to work from your
house, a coffee shop, the parking lot at
Yup. A fox would be even better. McDonald’s, or one of our offices. We trust
that you are takin’ care of business (#TCB)
can i take a nap? and communicating with your team.

Sure. Just get your work done, too. 21

FAQ it seems like everyone
is reading each other ’s
i have a mid-day minds. how do i do that?
appointment or event at
my kid’s school. can i work We use Slack and Lync a lot. You’ll see.
my day around it?
is it cool if i put
You bet! Remember, we’re big on balance. on headphones?

i’m passionate about a That’s a yes. We encourage it, but also
certain non-profit. can i encourage you to take them off once in a while
take time to volunteer? and collaborate with your fellow foxes.

Now you’re speaking our language. We can i stand up and
encourage you to follow your passion break out in song?
by including it in your balance plan.
Good job, you’re really getting it! If you’ve the pipes and want
to use them – go for it!
i keep seeing the phrase
“balance plan.” what is what do you call a baby
that? fox?

No joke, we’re serious when we say we Google it. It’ll be your first
want you to find balance in your life. A exercise in resourcefulness.
balance plan is the tool to help you get
there. We’ll teach you all about it. 22

FAQ do i need to clean
the kitchen?
if someone is working
from home, can i email/ Uh, yes. We aren’t savages. We’re adults.
call/chat them? Act like it. And if you work from home, we
hope you clean the kitchen there, too.
Why wouldn’t you? Physical location doesn’t
matter around here, but communication should i be embarrassed
and getting shit done does (#TCB). If that i’m a nerd?
someone is “working from home” they’re
working, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Hell no! Geek, nerd, bookworm,
egghead…bring it, because we want
what will my day- and appreciate the real you.
to-day look like?
is this whole thing a
You guessed it, we’re dropping that sociological experiment?
“balance plan” phrase again. Each
day is what you make it. Dive in. Nope, but it is an exercise in balance,
Kick ass. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. communication, freedom and responsibility,
passion, resourcefulness and trust. We
why don’t we have a like to think of it more as a revolution.
chief innovation officer?
is this real life?
You already fill that role. If you’re not
innovating, you’re not doing your job. Is this just fantasy?

23

FAQ FAQ

ALOE if all else fails.
VERA
GEL Feel like something just isn’t clicking? Go
back and read this again. We think it is a pretty
great roadmap to what we’re all about and what we
expect. You can also ask the nearest fox. We’re great
resources for each other. If you’re being nice and getting
shit done, we’ll be able to work out the rest.

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