Business Approach

We have taken a very specific approach to how we run our business. We strongly believe conventional methods are fundamentally flawed and completely unsustainable. We happily share our thoughts on a more equitable approach to business.
Planet before people

We all know that our unsustainable Western society, built on greed, arrogance and exploitation, is destroying our world. We must all take responsibility for the ongoing damage we do, or allow to be done in our name.

Business is at the heart of this destructive mindset, with technology a key enabler.

Since the early pioneering days of the 1950's, software developers have managed to conveniently side-step the ethical and moral implications of the systems we build. Although for most of our computerised history, the amount of damage we could do has been fairly limited. However over recent years this position has fundamentally changed. From the toxic chemicals, heavy metals, rare-earth minerals and polluting manufacturing processes involved in the creation of our electronic devices and batteries, to the unprecedented mass collection of data and level of State surveillance, to the degree of bias implicitly or explicitly embedded within our algorithms, the software industry can no longer pretend such things have nothing to do with us.

We all have a part to play to help establish a planet-first mindset, as nothing will ever change unless we make it change.

People before profit

Most commercial enterprises focus on profit at all-costs. Satisfying shareholders and meeting market expectations, is the name of the game.

The people behind the profit often matter little though.

We strongly oppose the exploitation of workers and/or customers to extract maximum profit.

Often though, such exploitation is cleverly disguised. Even within software development, we acknowledge the requirements for (hopefully occasional) late nights, weekend work and support cover. Most of us tend to view these essential aspects as simply part of the job. But being 'available' 24x7, thanks to our mobile phones and other such devices, as well as accommodating unrealistic deadlines and stifling bureaucracy, is another form of exploitation. So too zero-hour contracts and the gig-economy.

Conversely, our company is very much family-focused.

We believe that trusted and respected professionals should have the freedom and autonomy to organise their own schedules, should not feel the need to 'be available', should not be expected to squeeze their lives into the moulds forced upon them by outdated, not-fit-for-purpose business processes and operating models.

We seem to have long forgotten that our physical, mental, emotional and psychological well-being is paramount - and is not for sale.

Better business practices, fit for the modern world and changing employee life-styles and expectations, negate the need for such archaic mindsets.

Summary
We offer the following summary of our business approach:
  • no hierarchy
  • meritocracy
  • run by developers for developers
  • mutual trust and earned respect
  • full autonomy
  • fully empowered teams
  • remote work by default (we have been doing this both pre- and post- Covid)
  • focus on results, not hours worked
  • total flexibility towards when/where/how tasks are completed
  • LIFE-work balance (ie big LIFE, little work)
  • open and transparent decision making
  • ethical and moral accountability (including within the algorithms we create)
  • environmental and bio-diversity considerations
  • clear and flat pricing model (everyone pays the same)
  • no fear of failure (failure is actively encouraged, as it is the best way to learn)
  • monitor tech trends
  • encourage life-long learning
  • supporters of Free Software (as in freedom)
  • we never trade our ethical or moral stance for convenience (or profit)
  • no to Digital-Rights-Management (DRM)
  • equality and inclusion
  • minimal bureaucracy
  • light-weight processes
  • be passionate about what you are doing
  • standup for what you believe in
  • enjoy life
  • smile, exhale, relax and take the time to observe and absorb the world around you
  • acknowledge the people you interact with daily and the lives they lead
  • remove yourself from the toxic people, situations, places or businesses making you unhappy
  • simplify (or eliminate) the things causing you the most pain
  • within software development:

    • strive for craftsmanship
    • focus on high-quality software
    • encourage wide-spread process automation
    • use immutable environments