We believe in the power of continuous refinement and iterating to success. This philosophy not only shapes our products but also guides our leadership and ways of working. It also means that our team leads aren't seen as know-it-alls but as leaders who grow alongside their teams. 

Our recent workshop week at our Malmö headquarters, attended by our key managers such as Daniel Kloek, Product Manager, and Nuno Santos, Engineering Manager, exemplified our commitment to refining our ways of working. This week was about aligning existing processes between different teams, but also about reimagining and iterating them to meet the needs of a scaling company. 

We conducted various workshops and trainings, including: 

• ‘Ways of working in product teams’ and 'Delivery in product teams' workshops, that delved into refining our operational strategies. 
• ‘Leader training about feedback & coaching’, which offered valuable insights into enhancing our leadership skills, emphasizing the importance of feedback and coaching in our growth journey.

Harnessing the experience of our Engineering Managers

Over the past year, Refined has experienced significant growth, expanding to 70+ employees, effectively doubling in size compared to a year ago when we had yet to establish an office in Helsinki. 

This rapid growth phase includes onboarding numerous new team members, including new Team Leads. With 25+ new hires during 2024, we're navigating a transformative period. While this transition might make our culture feel a bit unsteady, we're committed to initiatives this fall aimed at strengthening it.

Refined’s rapid growth phase includes onboarding numerous new team members, including new Team Leads.

"For example, we haven't been delivering as much as we think we can recently. Considering our highly competent team, we believe there's room to deliver even more. With a lot of new team members like our Engineering Managers Iryna and Alice, who bring a wealth of experience and insights from their previous roles, this workshop week was the perfect time to re-evaluate our working methods. We wanted to harness this expertise by looking at things with a fresh pair of eyes and driving improvements," Dan explains. 

Improving processes to match the needs of a growing organization

As Refined scales, the need to streamline processes becomes more pronounced. Previously, teams at Refined had their ways of working, but growth necessitates a more cohesive approach. Daniel highlights the importance of addressing these challenges, particularly with the integration of new team members.

"So far, every team has been working the way they see the best, so there hasn’t been anything really set-in-stone to follow," Nuno adds. 

The workshops during the workshop week in Malmö served as a platform to discuss these disparities and align on best practices, ensuring that as we expand, our processes become more scalable and efficient.

“Culturally, we're enhancing our data usage, increasing effectiveness, eliminating unnecessary workflows, experimenting with new approaches, and engaging with fresh perspectives,” our Head of People Chloe Nauta said in our company all-hands meeting in the beginning this fall. 

New perspectives from diverse people

Refined's growth is not just about numbers but about the quality of talent we bring on board. Our focus is on attracting top talent who challenge norms, foster loyal customer relationships, and drive superior results, enabling us to reinvest in our culture and teams. 

The influx of senior talent brings diverse perspectives that challenge existing norms and inspire new thinking. 

"We are bringing some really great people with a lot of knowledge and expertise," Nuno says. This influx of senior talent brings diverse perspectives that challenge existing norms and inspire new thinking. 

"We've hired people who have previous experience within the team lead roles from multiple different companies," Dan agrees. This emphasis on recruiting individuals with seniority and expertise aligns with our aim to maintain a high standard of ownership and quality in everything we do.

A culture of fresh thinking and professional growth

Refined has iteratively grown into a leading company, standing at the forefront of transforming Atlassian tools into intuitive, user-friendly platforms for over 5,000 organizations in 100 countries. Since founding in 2009 with the simple idea that enterprise software doesn't have to be boring, we've evolved from a handy theming tool into a full-fledged site builder, helping companies worldwide.

Our commitment to this mission is matched by our dedication to building a culture where every team member is empowered to grow beyond their role. This has led to a historically low employee turnover. Our flat hierarchy and open environment ensure every voice is heard, encouraging exploration of new ideas and meaningful contributions. 

"We're trying out different things, testing, iterating, and learning from each other’s experiences," Dan says. 

This approach has not only driven our products' success but also our people’s personal growth. As we grow, so do our employees, with a strong track record in promoting from within and a commitment to professional development. While we hope our team members stay, we ensure they leave with more knowledge than they arrived with. 

As we grow, so do our employees, with a strong track record in promoting from within and a commitment to professional development.

Nuno, who started as a Senior Software Developer, then advanced to a Tech Lead, and now serves as an Engineering Manager, is a great example of this growth. 

"It's exciting to grow, with a lot of challenges. The type of work I'm doing now as an Engineering Manager is very different from my previous roles, and I really enjoy it. The support from everyone has been amazing; they are with me, helping me to grow as a leader, and encouraging continuous learning,” Nuno shares reflecting on his journey.

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Are you interested in joining a company that thrives on overcoming challenges and values continuous improvement? Explore career opportunities at Refined by visiting our career page!