Culture
What makes us tick
We're intentional about how we work and our focus on making a positive impact.
Our values
6 values, 30 practices
Our core values are Excellence, Empathy, Innovation, Ownership, Strategy and Teamwork. We practise this through 30 key behaviours.
01
Excellence
We invest care in our work and hone our skills, because how you do anything reflects how you do everything.
Be hungry to be better
Be on a constant journey to improve and hone your skills. Don't be satisfied with the status quo. Think differently, adopt a growth mindset and challenge yourself to be better in every respect. Never stop learning and growing.
Pay attention to the details
Be a fanatic about accuracy and precision. Double check your work. Dot your i's and cross your t's. Run a spell check. Get the details right. Care about this so much that you’re embarrassed when you get it wrong.
Be obsessive about organisation
Regardless of the quality of work you produce, if you cannot manage your time, tasks or commitments, you won't be a superstar. Maintaining a clean and orderly work area extends from your desk to your computer & the way you organise your digital life. Be effective at managing and organising your work and responsibilities.
Be system oriented
World-class teams execute on a foundation of highly effective, repeatable actions. Look to create systems for important aspects of your work and routine, then turn those systems into habits in order to achieve consistent results. Systems will free you up to focus on more important problems.
Make quality personal
Take pride in the quality of everything you touch and everything you do. Ask “Is this my best work?”. Everything you touch has your signature and makes a statement about you. Make sure it's a statement of excellence. How you do anything is how you do everything, so don't take shortcuts.
02
Empathy
We view things from the perspective of others. We treat others as we want to be treated.
Switch perspectives
See the world from the perspective of others and treat them as you wish to be treated. Be respectful and avoid judging others. Real insight can only be attained having walked a mile in someone else's shoes.
Communicate early & honestly
When something is bothering you, or you're behind on a deadline, communicate as soon as you can and in a manner that moves things forward. Make clear and direct requests. Say what you mean. When it's necessary for team success, don't be afraid to raise issues that may cause conflict.
Listen generously
Actively listen to others. Be present and engaged. Quiet the noise in your head and let go of the need to agree or disagree. Create space for people to express themselves without judgement. Listen with care and empathy. Listen to understand.
Assume positive intent
Work from the assumption that people are good and that they execute actions with the best intentions. Set aside your own judgements and preconceived notions. You most likely don't have all the facts so give people the benefit of the doubt.
Check your ego at the door
It's not about you. Don't let your ego or personal agenda get in the way of doing what's best for the team or the customer. Worrying about who gets credit or taking things personally is counterproductive. Make sure every decision prioritises team and/or company goals.
03
Innovation
We constantly push boundaries, moving forward by seeking change and challenging old ideas.
Keep it simple
Less is more. Whether you are designing software or your desk space, keep this principle in mind. Systems and people perform best when there are less moving parts. Avoid complexity and keep it simple.
Push boundaries
Take risks and try something new. Boundaries are borders, or limits; explore and push at them to explore new solutions that are different to the ones before them. Don't just accept the rules. Ask why and test whether they should be broken.
Exceed expectations
Always strive to exceed expectations, even if it's not in your job description and even if it's just in some small way. It's the extra mile that separates the average person from the superstar. Be a superstar.
Find a way
While we keep things simple, it doesn't mean things are easy. When things get tough, be optimistic and find a way, somehow, someway. Be resourceful and show initiative. Respond to situations by looking at how we can do it rather than explaining how it can't be done. Be gritty. No excuses.
Design everything
Be intentional about everything you create. Think outside of the box. Whether writing an email or creating a new user interface, adopt a design mindset. You are unleashing something new into the world - make it great.
04
Ownership
We step up and take ownership of challenges. We step up and take on challenging things. We're responsible. We don't pass the buck.
Step up & take ownership
Step up and take ownership of challenges. Be responsible and don't pass the buck. Seek accountability, don't avoid it. Don't wait to be told what to do. Take initiative, step up and do it.
Always do the right thing
Be committed to doing the right thing, in all situations, always. Always tell the truth. If you make a mistake, own up to it, apologise and make it right. Difficult situations are opportunities to build trust, but only if you do the right thing.
Be happy to help
Be genuinely happy to help others. Be enthusiastic when asked, and follow through. You know what it feels like when you are hopelessly stuck and someone helps you without grumbling. Return the favour. If you can't meaningfully help out, find some way to move the person forward.
Be responsive
Getting back to people is one way to demonstrate that you are organised and passionate about excellence. Keep everyone updated on the status of outstanding issues and projects. Build trust by ensuring no-one ever has to follow up with you.
Execute with intent
There are only so many hours in a day, and there is always more to do than can possibly be done. We take ownership of our time and are intentional about what we choose to do - what we say ‘yes’ to, and what we say ‘no’ to. We execute with enthusiasm and zest because we’ve been intentional about our priorities and what we want to get done.
05
Strategy
We think big-picture and long-term so that our work can have the greatest impact.
Think big picture
Think big-picture and long-term so that your work can have the greatest impact. Think strategically about how you solve problems and plan accordingly. Always favour long term gain over avoiding short term pain. Begin with the end in mind.
Always ask why
Be curious and question what you don't understand. Encourage and expect ideas to be tested. Understand Why before asking What or How. There's no better question than “Why?”. Never stop asking it.
Get clear on expectations
Create clarity and avoid misunderstandings & conflict by discussing expectations in advance. Establish mutually understood objectives & deadlines for all projects, issues and commitments. Ask others to repeat back their own understanding to ensure total clarity and agreement.
Prioritise ruthlessly
Successful teams and individuals are intensely goal oriented. But, there is no point setting a goal if you don't plan and prioritise the activities required to meet it. It's so easy to get distracted by seemingly urgent tasks. If you want to reach your goals, focus on the right thing by getting clear on what matters the most, and then prioritise ruthlessly.
Master your tools
To create a masterpiece you need to have mastered your tools. From your keyboard to your email client and IDE, have a deep understanding of your tools and their capabilities. Wield your tools like a true craftsman.
06
Teamwork
We are genuine, honest, authentic & trustworthy. We believe that we can have a greater impact together, than each on our own.
Be in it together
Collaborate and work with others. Don't go it alone. There’s no “your problem”, or “their problem”; there's only “our problem”. We're in it together.
Practice blameless problem solving
Apply your creativity and enthusiasm to developing solutions rather than pointing fingers or dwelling on problems. Identify lessons learned and use those lessons to improve processes so mistakes are not repeated. Use every mistake as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Be a good human
Be kind. Pay attention to how you interact with the world. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Be a good team mate, manager, friend, family member and partner. Every challenge we encounter with others is an opportunity to be a good human.
Honour commitments
Walk the walk. Be reliable and do what you say you are going to do when you said you would do it. Every time. This includes being on time for all phone calls, appointments and meetings. If a commitment cannot be fulfilled, notify others early and agree on a new commitment to be honoured.
Make it fun
While you are serious about what you do, have fun while doing it. Lighten up and enjoy a laugh with your colleagues and customers. Think of ways to make things fun and appreciate efforts from others to do the same.
Sound like you?
Work with us
If these values resonate with you, Codeo may be a great place for you to make an impact.