The role of culture in Noodlesoup studio's growth strategy

What is culture?

Culture not only boosts team morale but also enhances collaboration and innovation within the organization. When employees feel valued, supported, and respected, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to perform at their best. This, in turn, leads to better results for the startup and fosters positive relationships with clients.

At Noodlesoup, culture is like the map that guides us in the vast territory of the studio. It provides us with a set of values, work methods, purposes, and approaches that steer our decisions towards the best outcomes. We strongly embrace this idea. We believe that it's not enough to simply have a culture; we must live it and put it into action. 

When we dedicate time and effort to nurturing our culture, we not only identify with it but also take ownership of it. 

“When you truly live the culture, you understand it, apply it in what you do, and see others also applying it, there's a sense of belonging and a truly cohesive team is formed”. – Alejandro Duarte, Co-Founder of Noodlesoup Studio

Why is culture so important?

In the 21st century, the importance of culture cannot be overstated. With rapid advancements in technology and changing market dynamics, organizations need to adapt quickly to stay competitive. A strong culture serves as the foundation for agility, allowing startups to navigate challenges effectively and seize opportunities as they arise.

In today's interconnected world, where social responsibility and ethical practices are under scrutiny, a culture can enhance a company's reputation and attract top talent. Employees want to work for organizations that prioritize their well-being and promote a sense of belonging and purpose.

In our experience, when someone on the team feels comfortable and identifies with our culture and values, they have the desire to stay because they see opportunities for growth and learning. On the other hand, if they don't feel comfortable, they choose to leave. This quote from the CEO of Admazing perfectly sums up what we're explaining:

"Once culture takes root in the team and becomes omnipresent and tangible, its role is to embrace those who adapt to it and to expel those who do not." - Eddy Prado, CEO of Admazing.

8 Benefits of culture in your startup:

1. Enhanced collaboration and innovation: A culture fosters an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and collaborating with one another.

2. Increased productivity: When employees feel valued and supported, they are more motivated to perform at their best.

3. Improved employee retention: A strong culture creates a sense of belonging and loyalty among employees, reducing turnover rates.

4. Better client relationships: Employees who are happy and engaged are more likely to provide exceptional service to clients, leading to stronger relationships and repeat business. Enhanced

5. Brand reputation: Having a culture reflects positively on the company's brand, attracting customers who value ethical and socially responsible businesses.

6. Increased creativity: A supportive culture encourages employees to think outside the box and explore new ideas without fear of judgment.

7. Healthier Work-Life Balance: Prioritizing work-life balance improves employee well-being, reducing stress and burnout. 

8. Employee Satisfaction: Employees who feel valued, respected, and supported in the workplace are more satisfied with their jobs.

Examples of a good culture:

• Regular brainstorming sessions where team members freely contribute ideas for contentstrategies or innovative branding concepts.

  
  

• Encouraging open communication channels through tools like Slack or WhatsApp can facilitate collaboration.

  
  

• Flexible work hours or remote work options can boost productivity by allowing employees to work during their most productive times or in environments where they feel comfortable and focused.

  
  

• Offering professional development opportunities such as workshops, conferences, or online courses to help employees grow within the company and advance their careers.

  
  

• Hosting client appreciation events or sending personalized thank-you notes to express gratitude for their continued support.

  
  

• Sharing stories on social media or the company blog about community involvement initiatives or environmentally friendly practices adopted by the startup.

  
  

• Implementing "innovation time" where employees are given dedicated time each week to work on passion projects or explore new technologies that could benefit the company.

  
  

• Offering wellness programs such as yoga classes, mindfulness sessions, or employee assistance programs to support employees' physical and mental health.

  
  

• Conducting regular surveys or one-on-one meetings with employees to gather feedback on their experiences and implement changes based on their suggestions.

  
  

What strategies or practices does Noodlesoup implement to maintain its culture?

Our main interactions take place through Slack, but every week we gather in a video call with the entire team. During this meeting, we come face to face to share how we're doing personally, our achievements, and setbacks. We also evaluate our work pace, review our main tasks, and seek solutions to any obstacles that may arise. That day is the key moment

where we all contribute to building the culture, although we also do it throughout the workday with our individual actions.

Values present in the culture of Noodlesoup Studio:

• Respect: It entails recognizing and valuing individual differences, opinions, and contributions of each team member.

  
  

• Partnership: Encourages collaboration, trust, and mutual growth both within the team and with external partners.

  
  

• Always tell the truth: It is essential for establishing strong relationships, promoting trust, accountability and fostering a positive work environment.

  
  

• Excellence as a habit: Drives quality, innovation, and continuous growth.

  
  

  Respect:

  
  

• Enhances collaboration: When diversity of skills, experiences, and perspectives in the team is respected, effective collaboration and the ability to work together towards common goals are encouraged.

  
  

• Drives motivation and commitment: Team members who feel respected tend to be more motivated and committed to their work and the studios's goals.

  
  

• Facilitates conflict resolution: In an environment where respect prevails, conflicts are addressed constructively, and solutions that meet the needs of all parties involved are sought.

  
  

Partnership:

• Internal collaboration: Partnership promotes collaboration between different teams within Noodlesoup, such as the design and content team. By working together towards common goals, we leverage our individual strengths to achieve more effective and cohesive results.

  
  

• Creative synergy: By fostering partnerships between professionals with diverse skills and perspectives, we stimulate innovation and creativity. The exchange of ideas among our teams can lead to unique and disruptive solutions that drive the success of our projects.

  
  

• Trust and transparency: Partnership is based on mutual trust and transparency in work relationships. By cultivating an environment where our team feels safe to share ideas and opinions, internal relationships are strengthened, and a climate of openness and honesty is fostered.

  
  

• External relationships: Partnership also extends to relationships with external partners, such as clients, suppliers, and collaborators. By establishing solid and trustworthy partnerships with these stakeholders, Noodlesoup has been able to access resources, knowledge, and opportunities that have contributed to its growth.

  
  

• Professional development: Partnership drives the professional development of team members by providing opportunities to learn from others and expand their skills and knowledge. By working on joint and collaborative projects, they can gain new experiences and perspectives that enrich their professional trajectory.

Always tell the Truth (Honesty):

• Building trust: Honesty is the foundation of trust. In a studio where collaboration and decision-making are crucial, transparency and honesty in communication are essential for establishing solid and lasting relationships among team members.

  
  

• Promoting transparency: Honesty fosters transparency in all areas of Noodlesoup, from internal communication to relationships with clients and partners. By keeping communication lines open and being frank about challenges and successes, a culture of transparency is built, facilitating problem-solving and informed decision-making.

  
  

• Setting clear expectations: Honesty enables setting clear and realistic expectations both within the team and with our clients. By being honest about what the startup can offer and what to expect in terms of results, misunderstandings are avoided, and long-term relationships are strengthened.

  
  

• Culture of sccountability: Honesty fosters a culture of accountability where team members feel motivated to take responsibility for their actions and fulfill their commitments.

  
  

Excellence as a habit:

• Drives quality: Excellence as a habit involves constantly striving to achieve the highest standards of quality in all activities and products of Noodlesoup. This drives customer satisfaction and strengthens the studio's reputation in the market.

  
  

• Promotes innovation: By fostering a mindset of excellence, our team is encouraged to constantly seek ways to improve processes, products, and services.

  
  

• Sets ambitious goals: Excellence as a habit inspires setting ambitious goals and consistently working towards them. This drives growth and development at both individual and organizational levels.

  
  

• Cultivates a learning culture: By constantly pursuing excellence, a culture of learning is fostered where our team is open to receiving feedback, learning from mistakes, and seeking opportunities for improvement.

  
  

What is Noodlesoup's approach to work and personal life balance?

At Noodlesoup the concept of work life balance can have different approaches, which also adapt to the type of role you have within the team, but in general terms for us it is essential to respect people's availability schedules, so that they can also have a routine that allows them to organize their activities outside of work. We always apply two of our core values: respect and empathy. We recognize that, in addition to their work, ourteam members have other responsibilities and activities outside of the workplace.

That's why we strive to avoid assigning tasks during weekends and holidays unless absolutely necessary. If an emergency arises and we need our team's collaboration over the weekend, for example, we provide them with a video, audio, or outline to review at the beginning of the week so they can start working on it then. Obviously, we also value a clear and close communication, so that it can be adapted to particular needs or specific contexts.

Another important aspect we consider in maintaining the balance between work and personal life is providing effective feedback. We always aim to be clear in our communications, but if any instruction is unclear, we're willing to repeat it, and at the end of the conversation, we summarize the key points.

To provide effective feedback, we use scalable and easy-to-handle tools like Slack, Loom, Screen Recorder, and WhatsApp, although we reserve the use of the latter only for extreme situations.

How do we promote open communication and transparency at Noodlesoup?

We achieve this by being empathetic and acknowledging that nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes, and if someone comes forward honestly and admits, "I can’t do this," whether it's due to personal reasons or human error, that sincerity allows us to address the issue promptly. When you're honest and share something you're struggling to accomplish, another team member can offer their assistance. At Noodlesoup, we're here to support each other and find solutions together.

How does Noodlesoup support the professional growth of its employees? 

Primarily, we do so by delegating tasks and allowing our employees to make their own decisions to enhance our projects and work pieces. We firmly believe that sharing knowledge drives the growth of our employees, and autonomy plays a significant role in that process. When approaching tasks autonomously, they can learn much more about the entire process compared to simply being told what to do. This encourages them to think creatively and find innovative solutions to their challenges.As the saying goes:

"The only difference between one person and another is not that one is better than the other in certain aspects, but the experience and time they have dedicated to working in the area."

Also, we are always open to supporting team members who want to take on new challenges for the first time, whether it's mastering a new tool, technique, or process. By guiding them and providing opportunities for hands-on learning, including the possibility of failure followed by success, we instill a flexible and always-learning mindset within our team.

Conclusion: How do we see the future of Noodlesoup Studio’s culture?

In the coming years, culture will be so vital to us that we envision assigning a specific individual the responsibility of cultivating and promoting it. Within the studio, there will be a designated leader, the Head of People, whose primary role will be to ensure that the culture harmonizes with our team. This person will be fully focused on ensuring that our culture not only exists but also thrives.

The Head of People will be the catalyst for cultural evolution within Noodlesoup. They will constantly be seeking ways to improve and enrich our culture, adapting it as the organization grows and transforms. They will be the bridge between our core values and daily practices.