I end up brainstorming with people I never would have otherwise. The lack of walls may mean less privacy, but employees of iXL and other firms say the openness and constant activity create an environment where they can help one another. But it's not all fun and games. Multimedia and Web design shops are notorious for driving employees hard. Many work long hours and often go days without time off.
Many firms have ways of coping with the occasional deadline crunch.
At iXL , the informal atmosphere helps. So does the compensation. Most employees who were working at the company as of Dec. 31 recently received options to buy stock in iXL Enterprises, which announced in April plans to sell stock to the public. Stock options eventually could bring some iXL employees a nice windfall. In the meantime, they may give everyone at the firm an extra incentive to collaborate and make sure projects satisfy customers and contribute to the bottom line.