Joy, Inc.

1. Joy in business is possible and profitable

Joy is designing and building something that actually sees the light of day and is enjoyably used and widely adopted by the people for whom it was intended.

Joy drives success. At Menlo Innovations, joy is the core belief that defines what they do and how they do it. This isn't about ping pong tables or free snacks, but about creating meaningful work that delights end users and brings satisfaction to employees.

Tangible results matter. Joy comes from delivering products that people love and use. It's about seeing your work make a real difference in the world. This focus on joy has led Menlo to win multiple awards, attract thousands of visitors, and achieve consistent profitability without outside investment.

Culture is key. By intentionally designing a joyful culture, Menlo has created an environment where people are excited to come to work every day. This positive atmosphere translates into better outcomes for clients and sustainable business success.

2. Open, collaborative workspaces foster innovation and energy

Our noise is just as notable as our space.

Design for collaboration. Menlo's workspace is a wide-open "factory" with no walls, offices, or doors. This layout encourages constant communication and serendipitous interactions that spark innovation.

Embrace productive noise. Unlike traditional quiet offices, Menlo thrives on the hum of conversations and laughter. This "noise of work" creates energy and facilitates quick problem-solving.

Flexibility matters. The space is easily reconfigurable, allowing teams to adapt quickly to changing project needs. This physical flexibility mirrors the mental flexibility required for innovation.

3. Pair programming enhances learning and breaks down knowledge silos

Two heads, two hearts, four hands, one computer.

Continuous learning. Pairing programmers allows for constant knowledge sharing and skill development. Each person learns from their partner's unique experiences and perspectives.

Eliminate knowledge silos. By switching pairs weekly, Menlo ensures that no single person becomes indispensable. This practice:

• Reduces risk
• Increases flexibility
• Improves overall team capability

Quality and productivity. Contrary to initial assumptions, pairing leads to:

• Higher quality code
• Faster problem-solving
• Increased productivity
• Better team cohesion

4. High-Tech Anthropology: Design for the end user

Anthropology is the link. We need to study people in their native environment to figure out how to bring them utility and joy.

Observe real users. Menlo's High-Tech Anthropologists study end users in their natural environments to understand their true needs and behaviors. This approach leads to more intuitive, user-friendly designs.

Create personas. Developing detailed user personas helps teams focus on designing for specific, real-world needs rather than abstract concepts. This practice ensures that products are tailored to actual user requirements.

Iterate and test. Menlo uses simple, hand-drawn prototypes to quickly test designs with real users. This iterative process allows for rapid improvements and ensures that the final product truly meets user needs.

5. Embrace change and run small experiments

Make mistakes faster!

Encourage experimentation. Menlo's culture promotes running small, low-risk experiments to test new ideas. This approach:

• Reduces fear of failure
• Increases innovation
• Allows for quick course corrections

Learn from failure. By embracing the idea of "making mistakes faster," Menlo creates an environment where failure is seen as a learning opportunity rather than something to be feared.

Stay flexible. Running frequent experiments helps the company stay adaptable in a rapidly changing industry. This flexibility has allowed Menlo to successfully navigate economic downturns and sudden upswings in demand.

6. Growing leaders, not bosses, creates a culture of trust

Leadership at Menlo does not rest with a title or a position.

Empower everyone. Menlo encourages leadership at all levels, allowing anyone to step up and lead when needed. This approach creates a more engaged and responsible workforce.

Lead by stepping back. Managers at Menlo often demonstrate leadership by allowing their teams to handle challenging situations independently. This trust builds confidence and develops new leaders.

Vulnerability builds trust. Leaders at Menlo are open about their own limitations and mistakes. This vulnerability creates an environment where everyone feels safe to take risks and learn.

7. Eliminate ambiguity with clear, visual systems

If it isn't written down, then a newly stated requirement is just a conversation with no possibility of action.

Visualize work. Menlo uses simple, paper-based systems to track work and progress. These visual tools:

• Provide clarity on priorities
• Make work status visible to all
• Eliminate confusion about assignments

Story cards. All work at Menlo starts with a handwritten story card. This practice:

• Ensures clear communication of requirements
• Prevents "hallway project management"
• Creates a tangible record of work to be done

Planning game. Menlo's weekly planning process uses physical cards and planning sheets to make project prioritization and resource allocation transparent and collaborative.

8. Rigor and discipline produce quality and pride

All anyone asks for is a chance to work with pride.

Quality through discipline. Menlo maintains high quality through rigorous practices such as:

• Test-driven development
• Continuous integration
• Regular code reviews

Sustainable pace. By maintaining a disciplined 40-hour work week, Menlo ensures that quality doesn't suffer from burnout or rushed work.

Pride in craftsmanship. The focus on quality and discipline allows Menlo's team to take pride in their work, leading to higher job satisfaction and better outcomes for clients.

9. Build a flexible, sustainable work environment

We need every ounce of our team's creative capacity every minute of every day.

Work-life balance. Menlo prioritizes sustainable work practices:

• 40-hour work weeks
• Ample vacation time
• Flexibility for personal needs

Support the whole person. Menlo's culture accommodates real-life needs, such as:

• Bringing babies to work
• Caring for sick family members
• Pursuing personal growth opportunities

Encourage sabbaticals. Menlo views employee departures as potential sabbaticals, maintaining relationships and often welcoming people back with new perspectives and experiences.

10. Scale your business through systematic practices

Brooks's Law can be broken.

Defeat Brooks's Law. Menlo's practices allow them to scale teams up or down quickly without losing productivity, disproving the common software development axiom that "adding manpower to a late software project makes it later."

Practice scaling. By regularly rotating team members and bringing in new people, Menlo constantly practices the skills needed to scale effectively.

Build in slack. Menlo maintains buffer capacity through internal projects and flexible client arrangements, allowing them to quickly adapt to changing demands.

11. Align your company's inside reality with outside perception

Align the world's outside perception of your company with your inside reality.

Authentic marketing. Menlo's approach to marketing is simply to be transparent about their culture and practices. This authenticity attracts like-minded clients and team members.

Live your values. Menlo's values are reflected in every aspect of their business, from contracts to community involvement. This consistency builds trust and reinforces their culture.

Share your story. By openly sharing their practices and inviting visitors, Menlo has created a community of advocates who spread their message and attract new opportunities.

Last updated: January 25, 2025