If you ask a techie what makes their company’s culture unique, there’s a good chance you won’t hear about teamwide celebrations, the office’s coolest features or what snacks fill the kitchen fridge. While fun team outings, awesome office decor and snacks are all examples of culture, for many they’re not the ultimate expressions of it. Instead, many techies place a higher value on cultures that enable them to do their best work and grow their skill sets, all while being their true selves.
We recently caught up with tech workers at three local companies to learn more about their company’s culture, what makes it unique and how it impacts their work.
Digital marketing company Golden Hippo partners with health, wellness and beauty companies to create direct-to-consumer brands. Customer Care Assistant Manager Pascualito “PR” Hernandez said the company’s culture, which encourages employees to be themselves and acknowledge teammates who go above and beyond, has enabled him to grow in new ways.
How is your company’s culture different from what you’ve experienced before?
Golden Hippo’s culture provides a unique and special experience. It’s an enjoyable environment where an employee can be themselves, whether they’re an extrovert or an introvert. There are ample opportunities to work collectively with team members in different departments, but you can also step into an enclosed booth for when you need to be laser-focused.
Everyone shares the common goal of executing to the highest customer satisfaction levels. This culture has allowed me to develop a credible rapport with colleagues and establish myself as a helpful resource and dependable co-worker for my team members in any given situation, which is unlike anything I have experienced in the past.
Golden Hippo’s culture provides a unique and special experience. It’s an enjoyable environment where an employee can be themselves, whether they’re an extrovert or an introvert.”
What impact does that have on your work?
Within this special culture is a great sense of appreciation and gratitude. To be openly acknowledged for going “above and beyond” with your efforts by your peers is truly a heartfelt experience. This is often an uplifting day-changer, and encourages colleagues to continue giving their roles 100 percent. I believe that in order to contribute to the happiness of others, you must start with finding happiness in yourself. This then ensures that our customer service core values — such as authenticity, respect and trust — are met on a daily basis.
I don’t work for Golden Hippo: I am a Golden Hippo!
Protecht is a live events technology company whose solutions are designed to enhance the fan experience and enable ticketing platforms and event organizers to operate more efficiently. Back-end Developer Warren Ubrina said that while developing technology at scale can be challenging, Protecht’s culture puts his team in a position to succeed.
How is your company’s culture different from what you’ve experienced before?
I feel like there is more order in place, in terms of software lifecycle, than previous companies I have worked with. Protecht makes use of modern and established software tools. Our decisions are data-driven and we iterate on processes in order to become our greatest version. Our single goal is to produce the best tech we can.
The best part is that your voice matters. If you have any ideas for improvement, they will be heard. There are numerous opportunities to collaborate as a team in an accepting environment where your opinion matters, the opinion of your co-workers matter and you find a middle ground to succeed.
The best part is that your voice matters. If you have any ideas for improvement, they will be heard.”
What impact does that have on your work?
We're working on technology at a large scale, and this presents a multitude of challenges for us as a team. The level of commitment within this team is something that you can't take for granted. We're really able to come together to solve problems. This has led to growth for us all through leadership opportunities and advancement.
Puffco is an award-winning creator of portable oil vaporizers whose products are all designed and engineered in-house. According to Head of Product Avi Bajpai, the company’s culture of optimism gives his team the confidence to try things that have never been done before.
How is your company’s culture different from what you’ve experienced before?
Unlike other places I've worked, I truly feel comfortable being myself at Puffco. The passion we share is driven by the community we represent and is embodied by our leadership. The culture is consistently optimistic and instills confidence in our team to take risks that will lead us to new places. When you're unified by a shared mission, it creates a space that brings out the best in everyone.
Unlike other places I've worked, I truly feel comfortable being myself at Puffco.”
What impact does that have on your work?
As a product designer, this enables my team to question the norm and push boundaries to create innovative products.
