TrueML Company Culture & Values

I’d describe our culture as the perfect sweet spot between startup energy and established structure. We have enough processes to keep things efficient and seamless, but not so many that they slow us down. If you want to make something happen here, you truly can.

What TrueML does: TrueML is a team of inspired data scientists, financial services industry experts and customer experience fanatics building technology to serve people in a way that recognizes their unique needs and preferences as human beings. The company endeavors to ensure nobody gets locked out of the financial system. TrueML has a highly diverse management team, mandates unconscious bias training and uses hiring practices that promote diversity. 

Inside TrueML’s celebrations for Black History Month: A spokesperson from the company shared: “For the first time, TrueML is proud to launch dedicated initiatives to celebrate Black History Month. These efforts honor the contributions of African Americans and amplify the voices of our team members. As part of the month’s activities, we’ll watch the acclaimed documentary ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ asynchronously, followed by ongoing discussions on Slack to reflect and engage in meaningful dialogue.

“We’re also introducing TrueVoices: Celebrating Black Excellence, an initiative that highlights the stories, experiences, and advice of Black team members, showcasing their contributions and perspectives. Additionally, we’re hosting a special session with a wellness coach titled ‘Celebrating Black History Month and Becoming an Ally.’ This session will focus on fostering allyship, understanding Black culture and taking actionable steps toward inclusivity.

“To further unite our teams, we’ve created themed virtual backgrounds for meetings, providing everyone an opportunity to visibly show support and participate. These initiatives represent our initial commitment to honoring Black history, fostering inclusivity and celebrating excellence within and beyond our organization.”

Ongoing efforts: “Although this is the first year we’ve formalized our Black History Month efforts, our goal is to make these initiatives an ongoing part of our company culture,” a spokesperson from the company noted. “We are committed to fostering a continuous dialogue and creating opportunities for growth and connection year-round. To support this, we’ve launched new affinity groups and dedicated Slack channels that will serve as spaces for Black employees to engage, connect and share experiences. These platforms will also allow us to build a stronger sense of community, provide valuable resources and ensure that Black employees feel supported and heard throughout the year. Our hope is that these initiatives lay the foundation for lasting change, deepening engagement and inclusion that goes far beyond Black History Month.”

What is the biggest challenge to establishing a virtual-first company culture?

Maintaining a sense of connection and community among employees who are physically dispersed and culturally diverse. 

To tackle this, we prioritize virtual social events like coffee chats, team-building activities and “Let’s Talk” sessions to mimic spontaneous office interactions. Second, we ensure clear and consistent communication through tools like Slack, Google Meet, Canva, Monday.com and Jira to keep everyone aligned. Regular check-ins and virtual office hours help team members feel supported. 

Lastly, we are building a strong, inclusive culture by celebrating our diverse backgrounds and achievements, particularly with our recent expansion into Latin America. This includes recognizing personal milestones, encouraging peer recognition and promoting belonging through diversity and inclusion initiatives spearheaded by our Employee Experience Committee. By investing in these areas, we're not just overcoming the challenge of a virtual-first environment; we're aiming to thrive, fostering a cohesive, motivated and engaged workforce.

What’s your number one tip for fostering connection and/or collaboration among virtual teams?

Be intentional and stay thoughtful. In a virtual environment, spontaneous interactions are rare, so it’s crucial to make a conscious effort to connect. Encourage open dialogue and actively seek input from team members to make them feel valued and heard. 

Additionally, be mindful of different time zones and cultural backgrounds, ensuring that meetings and communications are inclusive and considerate of everyone’s schedules and preferences. 

Promote a culture of transparency and trust by being open about goals, challenges and successes. Your people are your best source of inspiration for creating out-of-the-box ways to connect and interact. Truly be curious and enthusiastic to try events or activities that various teams believe might be fun ways to connect. 

Lastly, recognize that sometimes your virtual scavenger hunt might flop — and that’s OK. You joined your company because of its unique culture, so remember that whatever idea you dream up may not be a one-size-fits-all activity. Figuring out what works best for your company is part of the fun.