--- title: "PhlexGlobal: Sometimes All It Takes is an Ice Cream Van" description: PhlexGlobal is critical to the successful creation of new drugs. However, it is a highly regulated industry, so much of the work for many of the staff is routine and repetitive. PhlexGlobal wanted to find ways to let its workforce know they were valued, along with new ways to engage employees. image: https://www.rebelplaybook.com/hubfs/10-rebel-playbook/Rebel%20Logos/Phlexglobal%20logo.001.jpeg --- [![](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/hubfs/10-rebel-playbook/Buildit-logo.png)](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/) ![](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/hubfs/the_rebel_playbook/the_rebel_podcast_logo.png) # [ PhlexGlobal: Sometimes All It Takes is an Ice Cream Van ](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/bonus-plays/sometimes-all-it-takes-is-an-ice-cream-van-phlex-global) ![Ice Cream.001](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/hs-fs/hubfs/10-rebel-playbook/Blog-images/Ice%20Cream.001.jpeg?width=1200&name=Ice%20Cream.001.jpeg) At PhlexGlobal, a global provider of electronic document management systems and services to the clinical research sector, what employees do is critical to the successful creation of new drugs. However, since it is in a highly regulated industry, much of the work for many of the staff is routine and repetitive. PhlexGlobal wanted to find ways to let its workforce know they were valued, along with new ways to engage employees. **The Play** PhlexGlobal’s approach to engagement is to put in place what I’d call “surprise benefits”—those that no one expects, but when provided, are hugely engaging. One example is having a local ice cream van park at the office to surprise and delight employees with free ice cream. Many companies give out free ice cream, either in the cafeterias or buying boxes to hand out on a hot day, but what makes this special is that it was unexpected, and it turned an inexpensive ice cream into a memorable experience. As the van arrived, the musical chimes put a smile on faces and everyone had fun hanging outside with colleagues. Other examples used from time to time include scattering Easter eggs on desks from the “Easter Bunny” or giving employees a half-day off for some much-needed holiday shopping. As Stella Donoghue, previous Managing Director at PhlexGlobal, said, > You don’t need to spend a lot of money or do something big to engage your workforce. We’ve had great results by putting a bit of fun and surprise in what we’ve done. It’s not always what > you do, but how you do it, that matters. ![pattern-header](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/hubfs/10-rebel-playbook/pattern-header.svg) **In Practice** - Do something simple, fun and spontaneous for your workforce. It truly will make a difference, and be something they'll talk about and engage with.     ##### Find more plays like this one in "The Rebel Playbook"  ![build_it_hero3.jpg](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/hs-fs/hubfs/the_rebel_playbook/build_it_hero3.jpg?width=645&height=129&name=build_it_hero3.jpg) [![Order your copy](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/269141/062a1b4c-4a3a-47f6-a03e-b88c8d5b1e47.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/269141/062a1b4c-4a3a-47f6-a03e-b88c8d5b1e47) **Get the book** - Australia [Amazon Aus](https://www.amazon.com.au/Build-Rebel-Playbook-Employee-Engagement/dp/1119390052/ref=zg_bs_4893915051_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XW7E4EQSFFGG96Q8SNDN), [Booktopia](https://www.booktopia.com.au/build-it-glenn-elliott/prod9781119390053.html), [Dymocks](https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/build-it-by-debra-corey-9781119390053/#.Wok6nJOFjOQ) - UK [Amazon UK](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Build-Rebel-Playbook-Employee-Engagement/dp/1119390052/), [WH Smith](https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/build-it-the-rebel-playbook-for-world-class-employee-engagement/9781119390053), [Waterstones](https://www.waterstones.com/book/build-it/debra-corey/glenn-elliott/9781119390053)  - USA [Amazon USA](https://www.amazon.com/Build-Rebel-Playbook-Employee-Engagement/dp/1119390052/), [Barnes & Noble](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/build-it-glenn-elliott/1126954355), [Bulk Books](https://bulkbooks.com/products/build-it-a-practical-toolkit-to-build-employee-engagement-for-a-world-class-company), [800 CEO read](https://800ceoread.com/products/build-it-glenn-elliott-debra-corey-english) - [Help with bulk and special orders](https://www.rewardgateway.com/bulk-orders) - [Early bird gifts promotion](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/rebel-playbook/early-bird-gifts) **Media & Press ** - [Media Contacts](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/media-contacts) - [Author Bios](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/rebel-playbook/authors) - [Reader reviews](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35249665-build-it#other_reviews) - Image Library **Special Resources** - [Why the unicorns?](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/interviews/unicorns) - Why the rocketship? - Bad Bosses Ruin Lives - [Index to book resources and references](https://www.rebelplaybook.com/book-references) - [Endorser Daniel H. 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