We’re holding ‘American Idol’ type auditions for the new voiceover introduction of our Repchatter podcast.

How cool is that? To select just the right voice, we’ve asked interested employees to ‘perform’ in front of four judges.

They’ll read a prepared script (or, one of their own choosing if they prefer) and we’ll evaluate them on originality, performance and, naturally, their voice. Oh, and the winner will receive a $100 gift certificate.

I never could have done this at my previous workplaces. They simply wouldn’t have permitted it. Nor could I see it being done at many workplaces I’ve come into contact with recently. Most take themselves way, way too seriously. Peppercom, on the other hand, has always espoused a ‘work hard, play hard’ ethic and the auditions are a pure play hard example.

So, the next time our vast listening audience of four downloads Repchatter, they’ll hear a brand, new intro delivered by an employee who just pocketed a cool $100 for muttering a few sentences. It’s good work if you can get it. And, it’s good to be in an environment where this stuff happens.