Recently, Twisthink was recognized as one of Crain’s Coolest Places to Work in 2022. It is a great privilege to be recognized for having a cool place – but the evolving nature of the “workplace” is different today than it was just a few years ago. As you’ll read, it’s not just about the cool place, it’s about the culture that matters through words and actions.
This raises a challenge that employers are currently grappling with:
In an era of accommodating remote and hybrid work demands, does on-site culture or physical office space even matter like it once did?
Our answer is yes. In fact, it matters even more.
UX and practicing what we preach
Our work is designed to lead clients to discovering new and innovative ways to solve problems and create impact. While our end solutions incorporate digital technology, how we get to that end solution is through human-centered design and open innovation.
When it comes to the challenges of the workplace, how you design it must reflect the desires and needs of your team members first, which is a tenet of the user experience.
The needs of your company will differ from ours. Yet we observed and learned that the collaborative problem-solving work we do and the creative combustion that happens when our people are working side by side matters. It cannot be fully replicated on a screen. These insights drive our intentionality about the culture and environment we seek to foster.
Glean from our employee experiences
Right now, figuring out the future of work and what works best is a common challenge for every business, and these are the kinds of questions on the minds of leaders:
- What should our remote/hybrid policy be?
- How much space do we need for our team?
- Do we scale back if they are only in the office intermittently?
- What programs do we need or let go of?
- Can we trust people to be as efficient in their job remotely as they were in the office?
Attempts to answer these questions without hearing from your people won’t provide optimal results. And they aren’t the only questions you should be considering.
Our recommendation is to listen to what motivates our people. Chances are similar motivations exist within your people.
As we prepare to embark on creating a new space in Grand Rapids to accommodate our growing team, our team is making it clear what matters most to them. And we’ll be leaning heavily on what they want and need to help them do their best work.
On why our team members like coming to work:
Rob Huber – Chief Strategy Officer since 2021
Shelby Boyd – Graphic Designer (soon to be UI Designer) since 2021
It’s the team and the work. My co-workers are experts in their work and yet always learning and leaning in. Our leaders are invested in growing me as a person, a leader, and an engineer. The work here is innovative and impactful, and people are truly treated as the greatest asset to this company.
Isaac Chen – Software Engineer since 2021
Esther Lastacy – Project Lead since 2021
On motivations to join the company, or stay for the long haul:
Belina Sainju – Electronics Engineer since 2022
Our team’s culture of excellence and willingness to serve has kept me here. Add to that the ability to work with clients across a diverse set of industries and products makes each day unique and challenging.
Matt Shinew – Director of Technology since 2007
Ryan Johnson – Team Lead, Principal Algorithm Engineer since 2009
On the importance of cultivating an inviting culture and space:
Our space and culture promote collaboration. We enjoy what we do and enjoy talking through the wonderfully complex challenges our customers and their stakeholders deal with day to day. As we craft focused solutions, we find ourselves drawing on a whiteboard together, standing together next to our desks, or even working on a virtual whiteboard. That desire to work together, challenging and promoting new ideas to solve problems is a cornerstone of who we are.
Kent Pilcher – Principal Industrial/UI Designer since 2005
I love that our company prioritizes its people. Many organizations say this, but Twisthink really means it. It is evident in the investments made, the initiatives supported, and the high bar that is held when building the team. The Twisthink team constantly inspires me, and to truly feel valued is priceless.
Taryn Kutches – Director of Customer Experience and Marketing since 2019
I’ve always been good at problem solving and leading projects, but I was looking for a company that would connect those skills to my passion for people. I saw a company that was driving incredible results and solutions for their customers but doing it in a way that honored them and their own teammates – and culture was a big differentiator. I appreciated the intentionality and investment Twisthink embeds in everything they do within their team. Looking around, it was clear they just do things differently.
Shannon Wynne – Project Lead since 2022
I wanted to be part of something big, something that would make a positive impact on the world. Everyone here is part of the team; everyone’s voice is heard, and opinions are considered. Together we learn and grow to accomplish our goals and touch the lives of so many people through our work.
Ariel Veneziano – Accountant since 2021
Kaitlyn Marsman – Marketing Lead since 2015
On how to keep creating impact:
Our focus is on creating impact – impact for our clients for sure, but even more broadly we are running towards impact on our community and on global problems. This is an environment where we can bring both our professional and personal goals to work every day.
Kurt Dykema – Chief Technology Officer since 2001
It’s an exciting time to be a part of Twisthink as we continue to expand our team, our capabilities, and our space. Twisthink has come this far by remaining curious, listening to our customers, strategically pursuing what’s next, and being unafraid to chart new paths. Our success has been possible because our team trusts and believes in the vision – and in each other. I believe we have something extraordinary here, and we look forward to future employees experiencing that with us.
Bob Niemiec – Managing Partner since 2001
Need help creating impact? Let’s talk.
Looking for a role where you can become part of an extraordinary team? We’re hiring.