Plan it.  Execute it.  Manage it.   WPR continued our Mozilla Spaces quest in 2012.   We opened new doors, signed new office space leases, organized events, and implemented new programs in our efforts to always stay one step ahead of our worldwide activities.

We began our Mozilla Spaces strategy in Jan, 2011 at a time when our only true “Mozilla Space” was downtown Mountain View, California which seemed inconsistent with our worldwide community, user base, and overall growth strategy.  In late 2010 and early 2011, we weren’t effectively promoting worldwide community collaboration, productivity, and events.  We knew we could do better.  We started.

We brought in a world class team of experts and opened San Francisco and Toronto in the summer of 2011 and upgraded New Zealand (Auckland) in Q3 2011.

By early 2012, we were hitting our stride and opened our doors in 4 new spaces including London and Taiwan in Q1, Vancouver and SF 3rd Floor in Q2, and added temporary workspaces for Portland, Paris, and Berlin as we continued to plan those futures.  Speaking of planning, each new space is planned with extensive analysis using key requirements for current and future talent, community strength, leadership, projected growth needs, and of course overall financial guidelines.

As we closed out 2012, we were operating 8 true Mozilla spaces on 4 different continents.  Looking forward into 2013, we are excitedly planning for grand openings in

• Paris (March/April)
• SF Floors 1 and 2 in May/June (ex-Gordon Biersch space)
• Portland (summer)
• Berlin (fall)
• Expanding our Taipei, Taiwan for a 3rd time with it’s focus on FFOS growth.

 

Moving and shaking in the Bay Area in 2012 and 2013

What started as a modest 7th floor San Francisco Moz Space (+ a cool deck) quickly transitioned to the need for more space.  We added the 3rd Floor in 2012 and signed a coveted and competitive bidding for Floors 1 and 2 (the ex-Gordon Biersch restaurant space).

Meanwhile, in Mountain View, we decided to consolidate our 4th floor back to floors 2 and 3 as we contemplated the final year of our current 5 yr lease.    The ensuing moving and shaking was a bit disruptive but in true California style we shook it off, stayed strong, and carried on.

We are currently actively planning version 2.0 of Mountain View with a launch date of Q1 2014.  We’ll be very excited to share these plans with everyone very shortly.

Organizing Mozilla Events: 

In 2012, your beloved WPR dept. coordinated hundreds of events including…

• Halloween Cantinas
• Fourth of July Fireworks
• Over 50 Workweeks
• Turkey Feasts
• Cocktail hours
• PR Soirees
• Holiday Buffets
• Birthday parties
• Meetups
• Networking events
• Hackathons
• and more!

And We Implemented New Support Programs

• Service Now allows you to easily submit WPR requests.
• Car Services are available to travelers in London and Vancouver.
• Centerstone software allows us to efficiently manage moves, spaces and seating plans.
• San Francisco’s pilot bike program allows Mozillians to cruise the Embarcadero in style.
• Security Guidelines and procedures give us a safer workplace.
• Travel tips and tools give us easier travel along our way.

Thanks to everyone for your input, support and patience as we learned and grew together in 2012. We look forward to working with you and continuing to build strong Mozilla Spaces Foundations in the 2013!

 

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Happy New Year! We hope that you are all back and refreshed after the holidays. Here are some photos of Mozillians celebrating in our offices around the world.

London’s office glided into the holidays on ice skates.

Vancouver’s office celebrated in style with a holiday feast.

Paris employees and contributors enjoyed Firefox hats and fine foods while spreading their holiday cheer.

Mountain View employees ate, drank and were merry.

Toronto Mozillians spread their goodwill to all playing Cards Against Humanity.

San Francisco celebrates in their homemade B2G holiday photo booth.

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The San Francisco office continues to grow as we take over the bottom two floors of the historic Hill Bros. Coffee building on the iconic Embarcadero. The San Francisco office has doubled its capacity since opening its doors just a year and a half ago, and now surpasses Mountain View in headcount!

What once housed the well-loved Gordon Biersch Brewery will now be home to a splendid Mozillian community space and “innovation areas” for our more collaborative teams. The newest San Francisco floors will also make use of a large patio overlooking the Embarcadero with enviable views of the Bay Bridge.

Stay tuned in 2013 as Mozilla SFO becomes a favorite Mozillian destination!

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Pro-tip Edition

Here are some expert tips for smooth and rewarding business travel.

1. Rewards Programs

No, you cannot book flights or hotels based solely on your preferred rewards programs- but that shouldn’t stop you from collecting rewards points from a variety of locations. Rewards programs are easy and free ways of making business travel more profitable.

Egencia allows you to save rewards program numbers in your “Frequent traveler accounts” in your traveler profile. Each time you book a flight, hotel or car your corresponding program will automatically be attached to your booking.

2. Travel Preferences

Do you prefer an aisle seat to a window seat?

Are you on a low-calorie diet?

You can add to your trip comfort by saving travel preferences in your profile. Seat selection will filter automatically to your preferences and other requests will be carried to the vendor.

3. Is that your real name?

Joey, Barb and Jim will almost certainly have trouble at security check points and airport check-ins.

Your Egencia name should exactly match your full legal name as listed in your passport to avoid unnecessary hassles with irritable security guards.

If you need to change your name in Egencia please contact Karen to update.

4. Stay Organized

Getting organized is probably the easiest way to make your travel experience less stressful.

• Pack well. Travel light and smart with carry-on luggage and simple computer bags. Wear slip-on shoes and keep pack the belt and watch.
• Have a travel outfit. While it may sound silly, wearing the same jacket or bag each time you travel will allow you to keep your passport and ticket in the same pocket and avoid the 7 pocket slap dance each time you’re asked for your ID.
• Use technology. Install tools like Tripit on your mobile phone to keep your travel details in one place.  Add your teammates as “connections” to keep track of who is where.
• Stay hydrated. Jetleg can be minimized when you’re hydrating during travel. No, alcohol does not hydrate.
• Eat healthy. Eat, period. Often travelers forgo airport food altogether- or opt for a greasy piece of pizza before takeoff. Grab some fruit and nuts or a salad before you go to avoid junk food cravings later on.

5. Visas

We’re a global company, traveling further and faster. We can get you where you need to go- but if you don’t have the right Visa you’ll be turned away at the border.

You can find out if the country you are traveling to requires a Visa from the CIBT website. Brazil, India, China and Russia are popular and growing destinations that do require advance planning and travel Visas.

If you ever have questions, please check in with our resident immigration specialist Elisha Kim.

Do you have your own travel tips? Share them with us here!

 

 

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