There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.
I heard the above quote by Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh a few years ago in a life coach event. I was convinced, and I’ve been trying to keep the wisdom in my mind during everyday life.
A significant change happened for me last November when I started at Wunder as a CEO. From day one, I noticed that my new everyday life would not lack elements to increase energy and positivity. With over 20 years of experience in the IT field, and despite the honeymoon phase, I was able to see that the company culture is quite exceptional. I dare to say, before Wunder I’ve seen a similar kind of culture only twice.
So what makes our company culture so unique? A big part of the atmosphere is based on emotional experience, but the following highlights were found from the Trust Index© survey, which represents the most valuable elements in our culture, evaluated by Wunderers. These are some of the ingredients in the recipe of our happiness.
Caring for people
We encourage the right work-life balance, which we believe to be one of the key factors for happy and healthy employees. One of our aims is to create a better working life for ourselves and for our clients. One concrete example of this is our Employee Happiness team, which develops our working environment and ensures that every Wunderer will be heard and everyone has the opportunity to influence.
Also, we give hugs to each other, both physically and virtually. Physical hugs are more spontaneous acknowledgements and salutations, whereas virtual hugs everyone can send to each other with our WunderHugs system. The hugs work as positive feedback, which represents our warm, people first and even family-like culture.
This is a very special place to work – totally exceptional amount of caring about each other.
Support & trust
After a few months, I’ve noticed that no one is left alone. If someone needs help, help will be offered immediately – at the office or online. Modern tools ensure that no matter where you are, you’ll get support when you need it.
Strong trust in each other enables our exceptionally open culture. No matter the role, joys and worries are shared between colleagues. It’s a tremendous resource when you can truly be yourself without trying to be anything else. Our operations are most definitely not lead from a corner room; everyone has the opportunity to participate in the development projects they are interested in.
In addition to the small daily acknowledgement of support and trust by Wunderers, our Talent Team organises mentoring programs, coaching, regular one-on-one discussions and helps whenever needed. Or when you want to talk about something, any topic at all.
Unique part of this company is that everyone gets a chance to be heard and follow their passion
Caring team-spirit and openness. I haven't met that in any other organisation. We can honestly talk about anything.
Management and work colleagues trust each other, and behave honestly.
A flexible, international work environment
We work with a multi-location model, which offers quite a lot of power and responsibility to each Wunderer. With flexible working hours, you can work wherever, and whenever – what’s best for you. Our high-trust culture enables this multi-location model. As long as you get the work done, we’re happy.
Our teams are international, and modern working methods are made to work across countries and cities. We encourage all Wunderers to travel and visit our offices for meetups, or just to get to know each other a little bit better. You can also work under the Tuscan sun or from the snowy hills of Lapland, as long as the wifi is working.
I really appreciate the multilocation working culture. Flexibility makes life much more enjoyable and easier
Developing ecosystem
We call our organisation as an ecosystem, where our clients play an essential role as well. Without people there’s no Wunder, without clients there’s no Wunder. The heart of our ecosystem is a Talent Tree, where each and every one of our expert has an important role. Wunderers are developers, designers, architects, account managers, project managers, digital consultants, as well as sales, marketing, and other enablers. I’m myself a handyman. People and skills are the hubs of everything and inclusion is the key to success.
We have been one of the best places to work for the 6th time in a row, and this year we are 14th on the Great Place to Work© listing in the medium-large category in Finland. What a fantastic achievement, we are incredibly proud and grateful.
If you want to join our happy and prosperous ecosystem, please contact us. We’re delighted to tell you more about our modern working methods and the positive feedback system, HUGS.
And remember – happiness is the way!