Office decoration etiquette

[cloud9eleet]

So I am starting a new position here in a month or so. Any input on etiquette for decorating your office? What is the etiquette for putting up awards from a previous employer in your new office? Is that 'hey look at my accomplishments' lame? The company is an east coast pharmaceutical and I would say the office cultural seems to be pretty straight and narrow (not much individualism).

 

[sho'nuff]

i have seen college diplomas and training course certifications posted up on walls in offices and cubicles.
as well as certs and awards given out by the company that they are at right now, for the benefit of encouraging others and healthy competition.

dont put up awards from previous employer. yes, that is lame.

congratulations on your new job!

 

[Gus]

I think a photo of your kids/wife/girlfriend and perhaps some cool item reflecting your interests. You can also add some stylish desk accessories like a clock, pen holder, etc. Other than that, awards from another company just aren't appropriate. And, what reason would anybody have to show their diploma?

 

[Kent Wang]

I think some Garfield posters and that one poster with the kitten hanging onto a rope with the caption "hang in there" are essential.

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by cloud9eleet

What is the etiquette for putting up awards from a previous employer in your new office?

If it has your previous employer's logo on it, you'd have to be pretty ballsy to put it up (maybe not so much if your previous employer is in no way a competitor to your current company, but still.)

 

[LabelKing]

Terry Richardson posters, or even better, his father Bob Richardson.

 

[acidboy]

How bout a picture of your old boss? Or your old workplace with "HAPPY" written under it?

 

[Tsintaosaurus]

 

[Thomas]

Dilbery cut-outs taped to your wall. And, burn incense frequently. Bonus points if you can hang a bead curtain at the doorway.

 

[Bradford]

I'm pretty sure any of these should be appropriate...

http://www.despair.com/viewall.html

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Originally Posted by Kent Wang

I think some Garfield posters and that one poster with the kitten hanging onto a rope with the caption "hang in there" are essential.

What about one of the great SkyMall posters that says "Endurance" "Team Work" and has some little blurb below it?

 

[TheHoff]

 

[Opcn]

I second the notion of demotivators, I work out of my room (as I am still in college and an RA) and I've got one about worth right over my desk, I love it. I also would recommend a fish tank, something small like a 12" cube with a mantis shrimp and some plants in it would be cool and give you some nice clean lines.

 

[cloud9eleet]

Originally Posted by Bradford

I'm pretty sure any of these should be appropriate...

http://www.despair.com/viewall.html

Thats exactly what I was thinking.

I think I will also wear a tuxedo T-Shirt my first day to meet with my direct reports because it says I want to be formal, but I'm here to party.

Anyways thanks for the input guys, I really just wanted to validate the previous employer awards. I have been in consulting for 10+ years and this will be the first time I am working in industry with a real office (you mean I dont have to hotel?!). While my intuition told me it would be lame, I wanted to check and see what you guys thought.

 

[Bradford]

Originally Posted by cloud9eleet

Thats exactly what I was thinking.

I think I will also wear a tuxedo T-Shirt my first day to meet with my direct reports because it says I want to be formal, but I'm here to party.

Anyways thanks for the input guys, I really just wanted to validate the previous employer awards. I have been in consulting for 10+ years and this will be the first time I am working in industry with a real office (you mean I dont have to hotel?!). While my intuition told me it would be lame, I wanted to check and see what you guys thought.

No problem - and yes, I agree with everyone else - keep the previous employer awards at home. Perfect for your den or that little corner with a desk your wife sometimes lets you have

And hey, if you're going to wear the tuxedo T-shirt, remember nothing sets it off better than a freshly cut mullet - business in front, party in the back!