Our monthly companywide lunch

Inside Tax Traders: Our monthly companywide lunch

"Do we eat together because we like each other, or like each other because we eat together?"

At Tax Traders, our monthly company-wide lunch isn't just about food, it's a strategic investment in culture, connection, and performance.

Why it matters: Shared meals create what researchers call "social facilitation", breaking down the invisible barriers that formal meetings often reinforce. When hierarchy or other usual ways of being soften over a plate of food, authentic connections emerge.

The evidence: Research from the University of Oxford shows that people who eat together socially report higher workplace satisfaction and feel more supported by colleagues. Harvard Business Review research demonstrates that teams connecting informally outside structured meetings develop higher levels of trust and collaboration, the very foundations of productivity and innovation. Meanwhile, Gallup's data reveals that employees who feel genuinely connected to their teammates are significantly more engaged, driving both retention and profitability.

And frankly, what better way to kick off the week that with some yummy food and good conversation? The investment in good kai pays dividends in good culture.

So yes, the food matters, but the connections matter more.

What informal rituals does your organisation use to build genuine connection?

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