Interview with our COO Marcus about Remote Only companies

Interview about remote work and corporate culture at growsome

"Thank you so much for taking the time, Marcus. I'm curious to more about the founding of growsome as a completely remote company motivated you and Sebastian to go down this path?"

Marcus: It was ultimately a strategic decision. In the past, the market was very regional. If you founded an agency in Hamburg, the search for employees was limited to the local area. That limited us in terms of quality and quantity. Today, the markets are international and complex. To get the best talents, we have to search not only locally, but throughout Europe. This ensures that we have the best people in the team who, in addition to the required skills, also fit in with our corporate culture.

"What long-term advantages do you see in this model?"

Marcus Bindseil: The advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages. We have access to a much larger talent pool and can select employees who are ideally suited to our requirements. This enables us to successfully implement innovative projects and excellent results for both our employees and our customers. Data protection is of course always an issue, but within the EU this is generally unproblematic.

"Are there any particular challenges that you experience in your fully remote culture?"

Marcus: One of the challenges is interpersonal communication. Technical topics can be dealt with remotely, but emotional and interpersonal aspects often require personal interaction. That's why we organize regular team events and retreats to facilitate personal exchange and strengthen team dynamics.

"How do you ensure that the corporate culture is maintained despite the physical distance?"

Marcus: We have one person in the team (Kova) who specifically looks after the well-being and motivation of our employees. This person acts as a link and ensures that we also communicate well "beyond the technical". We also attach great importance to personal conversations, including in our meetings. A bit of humor and personal questions bring life to digital meetings and promote team cohesion.

"Have you developed effective communication strategies to optimize collaboration?"

Marcus: Absolutely. We have realized that virtual settings often lack the small talk that comes naturally in an office. That's why we make an effort in our meetings should also personal elements. It is important to find a balance between factual communication and personal exchange in order to strengthen the team culture.

"How do you measure the success and performance of your employees in a remote environment?"

Marcus: In software development, it is relatively easy to measure performance. Two factors are decisive: the time required for projects and the quality of the results. Our agile way of working enables us to regularly review progress and offer support where necessary.

"How do you see the future of the company in relation to the remote model?"

Marcus: We intend to continue with the remote model as the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. More and more companies will adapt and recognize the flexibility that a distributed way of working brings. We believe that the world will become increasingly international and we want to be part of this development.

"Do your employees work in different time zones?"

Marcus: At the moment, we have most of our employees within the EU, which allows us to have a uniform time zone. But we also have colleagues who work in other time zones, for example in Colombia. This requires good organization and communication, but it is feasible.

"Is there anything else you would like to add that is important to you?"

Marcus: Another key issue is diversity. We attach great importance to creating an open and inclusive working environment. Regardless of nationality, gender or inclination, what matters most to us is the quality of the work and the fit with the team. We are proud to have an international team that brings different perspectives and ideas to the table.

The interview was done by our employee Marla Erhardt.