What is corporate culture and why it matters?

People often talk about corporate culture and values, but it's not always clear what they mean.

Corporate culture is defined by three main elements:

1. Values
2. Code of conduct
3. Environment

All three elements must align and support each other. Let’s explore these components step by step, using Tabby as an example, because I really love what we are creating here.

1. Values

Do you know why and how we create them? It's not just one person writing them down and expecting everyone to follow. Values are a core part of our culture. To identify our values, we need to take several steps:

• Run a survey: What do people like about Tabby? What do they believe in?
• Check with the business: What are our business needs? What do we expect from employees to achieve our goals?
• Assess top performers: What qualities do our top performers have? What competencies are expected for others to grow within Tabby?
• Get the bigger picture: What do we currently have? What are we good at? What needs improvement?

A year ago, we had a brainstormed all together and established our values:

• Own it: We act as owners and are accountable because Tabby belongs to all of us. We choose what’s best for Tabby as a whole, not for one person or one team.
• Move with urgency to bring delight: We set a new standard of pace by constantly delivering lovable things.
• Lead with empathy: We treat each other and our users with kindness, respect, and inclusivity, always assuming positive intent.
• Stay humble, stay hungry: We’re humble, not arrogant or complacent. We always strive to evolve and improve.
• Be honest and direct: We value transparency, accessibility, and open communication. We give thoughtful feedback and receive it mindfully.
• Sweat the big stuff: We aim to drive meaningful impact over small incremental changes. The more lives we change, the more our work matters.

2. Code of Conduct

The code of conduct consists of rules that we all follow. It can vary from company to company, but the goal is the same: every culture has its guidelines that create meaningful engagement in our life at Tabby. We consider our Code not just as rules to follow, but as a compass guiding our everyday choices and interactions, keeping us aligned with our values and purpose.

Important aspects of our Code include:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: As an international company, we respect each other's cultures and create an inclusive environment for everyone. Everyone is equally valuable, and we care about each other.
• Dedication and Professionalism: We are passionate about what we do, eager to learn more, happy to share our knowledge, and truly believe in Tabby and our products.
• Quality: We value quality over quantity and strive to deliver products we really like. If we are proud to put our names on the projects we've participated in, that's a good sign.

3. Environment

The environment is the vibe we get from each other and the company.

At Tabby, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that’s not only safe but truly uplifting. A place where you feel valued, where your contributions matter, and where you can grow.

• We prefer a friendly tone over corporate language.
• We prioritize constant feedback over silence.
• We always add some fun to our work environment.

The most important thing to know about culture is that we create it. No matter what values are written, the most detailed code of conduct, or efforts towards a productive environment, it will never truly define the culture unless we are all on the same page.