What's the Company Culture Like at Wasabi Technologies?

How would you describe your company’s approach to remote-first work? What have been the greatest successes thus far and what obstacles have you overcome in building a remote team?

Wasabi has embraced a remote-first culture that prioritizes results and outcomes over our employees’ location. Our philosophy is simple: Hire the best talent wherever they are and empower them to do their best work. We believe excellence isn’t confined to a ZIP code and flexibility allows us to attract and retain exceptional people around the world.

One of our greatest recent successes has been expanding opportunities for in-person connection through events such as our sales kickoff, team offsites and department gatherings. These moments of face-to-face collaboration have strengthened relationships and fostered a greater sense of belonging across our distributed workforce. 

Additionally, our employee engagement opportunities create meaningful ways for Wasabians to connect beyond their day-to-day work. Through our monthly newsletter, we spotlight team members from across the company, introducing individuals who may not otherwise cross paths and celebrating the diverse perspectives that make Wasabi unique.

How does your team stay connected in a remote-first office? Are there specific tools you rely on to communicate and collaborate together?

The people and talent team stays connected through intentional, consistent communication. We hold regular meetings and Zoom check-ins to discuss ongoing projects, share updates and ask for support. These touchpoints also provide space for open dialogue, whether to celebrate wins, address challenges or simply catch up on life outside of work. 

Beyond formal meetings, we rely on Slack to stay engaged as a company on a daily basis. It’s our go-to platform for sharing project updates, quick wins and personal moments. Everything from welcoming a new pet to swapping favorite recipes. This blend of professional collaboration and personal connection fosters a sense of community and belonging that keeps our teams close.

How does your company build culture in a remote-first office? What specific rituals or initiatives does your team use to create a more inclusive, engaged environment?

At Wasabi, our remote-first culture is built on trust and ownership. Our leaders trust that every Wasabian has the drive, discipline and ownership to do their work and do it well. Each team member takes responsibility for their projects and contributions, knowing that individual success fuels collective success. 

Equally important is our commitment to togetherness, ensuring that every employee feels connected and included, no matter where they are in the world. In 2024, we launched our employee engagement initiative with the goal of hosting at least one event, workshop or activity each month that brings Wasabians together beyond their daily work. We ensure that at least one of these is virtual or hybrid, so everyone — from Boston to Kosovo to Japan — can participate. From global step challenges that spark friendly competition to interactive workshops celebrating cultural moments, these shared experiences strengthen our sense of community. 

We recently implemented Kudos, an employee recognition platform that further supports this culture by allowing Wasabians to celebrate one another’s achievements in real time, whether it’s a major project milestone or a simple act of teamwork.

Describe your experience with the onboarding process at your company. What resources, tools or people were made available to you during the process?

Before my start date, I was sent an email with easy-to-follow login and setup instructions for my new laptop. Things continued in this manner, and any onboarding information I was sent was well thought out and gave me everything I needed to know to get started. During my first two days, just like in-person roles, I had meetings with my manager, HR and IT to make sure I was up to speed and my equipment was working smoothly.

How did the onboarding process contribute to your understanding of the company culture, values and expectations? 

In my role as an events specialist, I’ve needed to learn what Wasabi does so I can ensure we have the right messaging at each conference. To do this, I was given access to some great online training materials and attended an informational session about Wasabi’s history and values. The last thing that I found helpful was going to an event and hearing our team talk to customers, and by the end of the event, I felt comfortable talking to potential customers about what Wasabi does.

What about your onboarding experience was different from past experiences starting in a new role? What do you think made it so effective?

I’ve found that people at Wasabi really do embody the H.O.T. values, which stand for humility, ownership and togetherness. Since day one, I’ve been warmly greeted by each person I’ve interacted with, and I feel a deep sense of community. We may work remotely, but we connect online each day with jokes or encouragement, which has made my transition feel seamless.