There are two kinds of people at Playbook Direct. Those who claim they’re “not scared of anything”… and those who absolutely leg it the moment a clown with a chainsaw chases them through a cornfield. October rolled around, and we decided it was time for something a little silly, a little scary and a lot of fun. Queue the launch of our first fright-filled adventure to Spooky World.
If you’ve never been, Spooky World is not for the faint of heart. It is a full-blown haunted experience with mazes, possessed farmhouses, and far too many clowns. So naturally, we thought it would be the perfect setting for a night of team bonding and a good laugh. Of course, we take our sales performance seriously, but we never miss a chance to reward the hustle and make time for connection. This trip was a shoutout to our “Culture That Wins Together”; a way to celebrate the momentum we’ve built… with fake blood and fog machines.
We packed a coach with brave(ish) souls and hit the road, fuelled by snacks, banter and a dangerous level of confidence. Spirits were high. “How scary can it really be?” was said more than once before we arrived. That optimism lasted all of ten minutes.
The clown maze did things to people. We won’t name names, but someone bolted at the sight of red shoes before we even got inside. One of our newest starters shouted “Mum!” in panic more than once. Honestly, it brought us closer. There’s nothing quite like watching someone leap into a teammate’s arms in terror to build trust.
Laughter echoed louder than the screams. Between the jump scares and the fog, there were moments that will go down as team legends. Like when Josh mistook a scare actor for a real team member and tried to high-five him. Or when Izzy quote-unquote “definitely didn’t cry” after getting trapped in the haunted church. Everyone was there for each other, whether offering a hand in the dark or just ribbing someone for their very loud scream.
These moments might feel light-hearted, but they speak volumes about who we are. At Playbook Direct, we work hard – this year has been one for the books. But we also believe in showing appreciation, not just in words, but in action. A massive part of our culture is about mixing high standards with high energy. We push each other, we cheer for each other, and when we stop to celebrate, we go all in.
The trip to Spooky World wasn’t just about getting spooked. It was about showing our gratitude to the team that shows up day after day with hustle, hunger, and heart. It was about spending time with colleagues outside the office, reminding us that behind every KPI and campaign is a human with a personality, a dodgy sense of direction in haunted mazes, and maybe a deep-rooted fear of chainsaws.
We know that culture isn’t built in a meeting room. It’s built on nights like this, where fear turns into laughter and teammates become mates. When someone takes your hand in a pitch-black tunnel and says, “It’s just actors, right?” – that’s bonding. And when you laugh about it at work the next day, you’re not just colleagues anymore. You’re a team.
Our Accelerated Growth Pathway starts with momentum, but it stays strong because of connection. We don’t just develop professionals; we build people up from the inside out. From first-year starters to team leaders, everyone plays a part in the good times. No one gets left behind… even when the clowns come out.
So here’s to many more nights like this. Where the screams are loud, the friendships get louder, and the culture continues to speak for itself.
Because at Playbook Direct, we don’t just win together. We laugh (and scream) together too.
