Understanding Company Traits
Learn about the different characteristics that make these companies unique
General characteristics and focus areas of the company
The company is owned and democratically managed by its workers.
Employees have a significant ownership stake in the company, sharing profits and decision-making.
The company operates without external funding, relying on its own revenue or founder contributions.
The company is funded by venture capital to support rapid growth or innovation.
The company prioritizes projects and initiatives that benefit society and the environment.
The organization operates to achieve a mission rather than generate profit for shareholders.
The company develops and delivers Software as a Service solutions, typically via a subscription model.
The company focuses on creating and selling its own products, rather than offering services or consulting.
The company provides expert advice and custom solutions to clients.
The company offers ongoing services to support customer needs, rather than discrete products.
How the company approaches building and improving their products
Designers are integrated as equal members of the product development process, not just support roles.
Teams are organized around delivering specific features, focusing on cross-functional collaboration.
Teams are responsible for the entire lifecycle of a product or product area, from concept to delivery.
The organization has a flat structure without formalized teams, allowing fluid collaboration.
Engineers are closely involved in product decisions, blending technical and product expertise.
Team members take on dynamic roles depending on the project’s needs rather than fixed job titles.
The company develops and contributes to open-source software as a core part of its mission.
The product development process emphasizes minimizing waste and maximizing customer value through iterative approaches.
The company uses and really trust on extreme programming practices
How the company is structured and makes decisions
Teams are empowered to organize and manage themselves without heavy top-down direction.
Employees have autonomy to make decisions, set priorities, and take ownership of their work.
The organization has minimal or no hierarchical levels, promoting equality and collaboration.
Teams are formed and restructured dynamically based on project needs and priorities.
Small, autonomous teams operate with the agility and focus typical of startups.
Decision-making authority is distributed across the organization rather than concentrated at the top.
Leaders act as coaches, empowering team members rather than directing them.
Leadership roles are fluid and can shift based on the needs of the team or project.
How the company treats and supports its members
The company operates primarily remotely, with occasional in-person gatherings if needed.
The company supports remote work but maintains physical offices for employees who prefer or need them.
The organization fosters open and constructive feedback to promote growth and collaboration.
The company openly shares financial information with employees to build trust and alignment.
Compensation structures and salaries are openly shared to promote fairness and equity.
Employees receive dedicated resources or allowances to support their mental and physical well-being.
The organization offers flexible work arrangements to support employee autonomy and work-life balance.
The workplace culture emphasizes collaboration, trust, and mutual care among team members.
Salaries are determined based on a clear, transparent formula accessible to all employees.