As This Global Software Company Expands, Here’s How It Preserves a High-Growth Culture – Built In Austin

The finish line of a big client initiative was in sight for Cognite Project Manager Katherine Cao, but one obstacle remained that required the skills of someone who knew the ins and outs of React, an open-source JavaScript library for building user interfaces.

However, a solution appeared: A recently hired full-stack developer, who recounted his knowledge of the programming language on his first day of the job, was quick to lend a hand after Cao approached him for help.

In a week, the problem was solved.

Without even having completed onboarding, he responded, Of course, why not? Literally, in a week, he was able to get it working, Cao said. We were able to deliver that part of the project, and our end user was extremely happy.

According to Cao, a University of Texas engineering alum, the episode illustrates a culture at the Norway-headquartered company where teammates jump to lend their expertise.

Her fellow Houston-based colleague, Data Scientist Darius Alix-Williams, expressed a similar sentiment when he recently consulted with an overseas colleague on a valve project.

Being able to move quickly, tap into our talent pool and work inan environment where its OK to not understand something has been a big enabler of growth, Alix-Williams said. Knowing that theres someone around you who knows more than you do, and is willing to share that, has made the experience really positive.

As teammates in Cognites first North American locations the company, founded in 2016, opened its Austin and Houston offices in early 2019 being able to tap a vast network of intelligence is crucial as the company expands its footprint. In turn, that allows them to chart an industry where colleagues say new challenges are ample.

Oil and gas, manufacturing and utility companies dont just produce a commodity with their efforts comes troves of data, too. Teammates at Cognite help make sense of that information to equip clients with actionable insights, such as forecasting when a piece of machinery might require maintenance.

Alix-Williams: I started out in academia. You dont see the fruits of your labor for a while. Here, thats not the case. Your challenges are complex and fast-paced; youre interacting with many different pieces. At the same time, youre rewarded. When you make an impact on the project, its conveyed pretty quickly. You know that youre making a difference in the company early on at every stage.

Cao: I came from two very large companies, and in those very structured environments, there are certain expectations and tasks dealt to you. Here, if you want to do something, you can and are encouraged to initiate it.

COO TrygveRnningen: Togetherness and impact are what we aspire to live by. Our CEO in Norway says,Just do it, and well correct it if its wrong. If it fails, we fail quickly and we can correct it. I think thats the pace weve adopted in the U.S.

Alix-Williams: We each have a people manager, who we meet with to set career goals. On a project team or pod level, were moving at a really fast and agile pace. We have standup meetings where we actually talk to each other and figure out whats going on.

Cao: I think we have a very flat hierarchy structure. Were not only encouraged, but expected, to voice our opinions and concerns. Senior management is willing to address any questions that any of the staff has. Its a very open culture.

Rnningen: Our Friday meetings are very open and frank. There are very few things that you cant ask if you feel thats important for you.

I think we have a very flat hierarchy structure. Were not only encouraged but expected to voice our opinions and concerns.

Rnningen: Theres always a yes, lets try it mentality. Its never starting in the defensive position. What motivates me to do better is the people around me who are coming up with things that I never even thought would be possible.

Cao: Beyond technical aspects, Ive been able to learn a lot from the people Im working with because the team is so diverse. Its been really awesome to learn how to fit those pieces together and how everybody can contribute to a project in their own way.

Alix-Williams: The talent pool here blows my mind. Recently, I was working on measuring drift and sensors, something Id never done before. Having someone in our company in Norway whos a valve expert that I could have crash course sessions with was amazing.

Successfully ingesting, synthesizing and applying big data in a customer-facing capacity also hinges on fluid sharing of intelligence internally. To do so, the company embraces integrated and cross-functional team models while championing transparency for company OKRs, said Head of Internal Communications Audrey Camp. By creating and implementing OKRs, weve helped give every team member clarity, purpose and direction, Camp recently told Built In Austin.

Rnningen: As we mature as a company, well formalize these things more. I like having some guidelines, but I also like being able to make my own. I feel it fits well with the customer, project or the objectives that were trying to accomplish. Its not for everyone but, personally, I feel thats better for me.

Cao: I come from large companies with a very structured framework. Some people enjoy that, but I think that many people enjoy exploring what they like doing and finding out what theyre good at. I like being able to rotate through different departments. Not having those limitations really helps take your career where you want it to go.

Alix-Williams: Ive seen peoples careers go down really interesting paths that even they hadnt anticipated, because they realized they had a skill that Cognite didnt have yet. Youre encouraged to explore, like a create-your-own-adventure story. I like the ability to learn what I want to do as I go, versus following a set framework.

Rnningen: I want Cognite to be remembered as a companythat changed the waythe industry works and made it a more sustainable business than what it is today. Its an opportunity I havent had before and I will never have again.

Cao: I want to expand on different parallels within my client and in this company, as well as explore different projects within renewable energy and other up-and-coming industries. Im excited to showcase additional use cases and present how we can change the way they work.

Alix-Williams: Before this, I was working in a research lab using computational methods to model materials. Id like to use physics-based modeling in some capacity, maybe for predictive maintenance. I havent figured out exactly how my background is going to fit into our ethos, but Im sure once I figure it out, the companys going to support me.

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As This Global Software Company Expands, Here's How It Preserves a High-Growth Culture - Built In Austin