As we just wrapped up another year at RebelDot, let’s take a moment to reminisce about all the amazing things that have happened in 2022. From continuing to launch top-tier web and mobile apps to seriously expanding our team and fine-tuning our software development processes, it’s been a whirlwind of a year. And we’re so excited to share some of the highlights of it with you. So, grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let’s look back on the good times we had at RebelDot in 2022.
But before delving into our retrospective, here’s a series of metrics, such as eNPS, NPS, Glassdoor rating and Clutch rating, a collection of reviews from both our rebels and the amazing clients we collaborate with, a subjective, yet insightful feedback which we are beyond grateful to have obtained following our 2022 journey:
Getting back to the office
After almost two years of remote work, our team was eager to get back to the office. So, we took the opportunity to redesign our workspace and create a more collaborative and inspiring environment. The outcomes were spectacular. Our team has never been more energised, creative, or well-connected. Our office is buzzing with creativity and collaboration, making it the perfect place to tackle complex projects and drive success. The Headquarters situated on Buftea Street has become central to our corporate culture, promoting togetherness and a common mission among team members, a space for us to gather, inspire each other and build meaningful relationships which will ultimately turn into building high-quality digital products.
The renovation of our former reception area into a warm and inviting café is one of the most exciting aspects of our new workplace layout. This decision has had a profound impact on the office atmosphere and has become a hub of activity for both our team and visitors alike. The café is used for a variety of purposes, from casual meetings or casual brainstorming sessions to just grabbing a cup of coffee and catching up with friends.
It’s a place where everyone, from regulars to newcomers, can feel comfortable and work together productively. The café has done a wonderful job of strengthening our community by providing a friendly and open space that encourages interaction and innovation. In no time, it has become a symbol of our company’s values and culture, and one of the aspects we take the most pride in is our new location.
Creating a Pet-Friendly Workplace: A Step Towards Employee Well-being
We get it. Pets are a big part of our lives and leaving them behind all day can be tough. That’s why we decided to make one of our offices pet-friendly and sure thing, the outcome was a real mood-booster.
It’s like having an inbuilt icebreaker; The Alverna office feels now even more fun and playful, and it helps us all bond in novel ways. It’s hard not to smile when you see a wagging tail or a furry face.
Now, colleagues don’t have to rush home to let the pup out or feel guilty for leaving them cooped up all day. Not to mention the difference that bringing your furry friend to work can make in finding that sought-after work-life balance.
By doing this, we’re not only making work a little easier, but also a lot more fun. Who wouldn’t want to work with a bunch of cute, cuddly dogs by their side?
Got onboard 85 new rebels in 2022
It surely has been a tough beginning of the year. With the pandemic, the war, and all the other craziness going on, you’d think nothing could go right.
But, despite the challenges posed by these tough circumstances, our team continued to grow and thrive, as we’ve welcomed no less than 85 new joiners in the past year, massively growing the engineering department which triggered a simultaneous growth of the other departments as well.
People are still choosing to join RebelDot, and the ones who were already here have stuck around and continued to create amazing digital products. It is inspiring to observe the resilience of nearly 200 rebels in the face of adversity.
And get this – not only are people joining, but we’re also seeing more and more of our team members deciding to stay and build their careers with us. A series of metrics which we are beyond grateful to have achieved would be the 14.3% attrition rate and the 81.93% retention score. It’s a testament to the supportive and impactful work environment we’ve built.
We’re not just surviving; we’re thriving and it’s all thanks to our amazing team.
“Our people make this company what it is. It’s their creativity, passion, and determination that drive our success. Despite the challenges we faced, the rebels never lost their spirit or their commitment to each other. As we move into 2023, I’m filled with hope and excitement for what the future holds, because I know that together, we can overcome any obstacle and create something truly special, something that goes beyond any digital product, a culture of togetherness and open communication that will trigger growth, both personally and as a company.”
Tudor Ciuleanu – CEO RebelDot
Expanding horizons: diversifying our client base in 2022
This past year has triggered major growth and expansion for us, as we’ve welcomed a diverse range of new clients from all around the world. Our portfolio has grown to include exciting projects across a variety of industries such as [real estate, blockchain, healthcare, energy, retail and more], allowing us to showcase our versatility and expertise on a global scale.
With this growth, we began working with a wider range of businesses, adopting new technologies and creating meaningful connections with each new client to constantly bring value and create more opportunities for them. We’re thrilled about the future and all the opportunities for continued growth and exploration that lie ahead.
Staying ahead of the curve: upgrading our tech stack and refining our skills
Lately, we’ve been making significant progress concerning technical expertise too, not only acquiring more clients but also refreshing our tech stack. We’ve embraced the latest technologies that streamline our processes and elevate the quality of our digital products but also deepened our expertise on the technologies we were already using, making sure our team is staying ahead of the curve.
From sleek and modern Frontend frameworks like React, React Native, Angular, and Flutter, to powerful Backend tech like .NET, NodeJS, Firebase, and Python, and scalable Infrastructure solutions like Amazon Web Services, Azure, and Firebase, our team of tech enthusiasts has been laser-focused on mastering these technologies to continue delivering innovative solutions that exceed expectations.
This double-pronged approach — investing in both new and familiar technologies and growing our team — has allowed us to offer a wider range of services and tackle more ambitious projects with ease, allowing our team to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and deliver web and mobile apps that solve the many pain-points our customers have.
Rebels Deconstructed podcast – more stories about people
Having constantly been on the hunt for new and innovative ways to inspire and motivate our team, last year we continued launching the Rebels Deconstructed podcast series. The reason? We figured it is a series that gives a voice to our own people and shares their incredible journeys and inspiring stories. From the challenges they faced, to the lessons they learned, these episodes are a true testament to the power of perseverance and the drive to succeed.
Whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking for a bit of motivation and inspiration, these podcast episodes are a must-listen. From founding startups and working with product teams to creative processes and finding inspiration, each episode is packed full of actionable advice and stories that will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take on the world.
A must-listen for anyone who wants to gain insights from industry experts and understand the journeys of successful professionals in the software development field and not only
Embarking on a more sustainable future
Perhaps our last significant move for the year 2022 was adding a sustainability officer in the department to prioritize environmental and social responsibility in the company. This decision was made in response to the company’s growth and the desire to fully integrate sustainability into our core values.
We are excited to have Miana Florian as our Sustainability Officer, working towards achieving sustainable development goals that align with the company’s vision. We perceive this as a learning journey, a measure which will increase our focus on integrating sustainability across all areas of operations.
The goal is to have a positive impact on the environment, community, and society, and to create a brighter future for all.
Rebels with a cause
We said it once and we’ll keep saying it, being a Rebel means getting involved, rolling up your sleeves, and diving right into it.
Last year, we focused on care. It would be a lie to say that we only did it last year, we do it constantly, but 2022 felt like it needed extra attention.
We started off with self-caring, because again, in a time of even more uncertainty, a war at the borders, and miscommunication, we needed something to bring some inner peace. We did our yearly happiness week where each of us is paired with a colleague and has one job: making that colleague happy.
Later in the year, Minte Forte, Mircea Miclea, and Eusebiu Burcas were the ones we invited for some workshops on resilience, handling anxiety, and galloping through the hardship from a financial point of view.
We spread the caring to our non-speaking furry friends, and organised fundraiser through yard sales in both Cluj and Oradea with NGOs that protect, help, and train animals, Nuca and Dog Assist.
Last but not least, we’ve organised our yearly rebelswithacause – a simple, but effective mechanism of giving back. Everyone who wants to get involved inside our team can either put something up for auction, be it a product or a service, either auction for said product or service. The money raised through auctioning gets donated to a cause we choose together. This time, we chose our partners at Little People, hoping we brought a smile through our effort. Some of the things auctioned by our colleagues sound something like: a playdate with Laura’s dog, a sushi workshop, horseback riding lessons, a spa day at Ovi’s house, and many more.
What’s next for 2023
As we look back on everything that we’ve accomplished in 2022, it’s clear that the resilience and determination of our team shines through. The year brought new challenges, but we navigated through them together and came out stronger.
We are now excited for the journey ahead in 2023 and invite you to continue following along. Here’s to new adventures, continued growth, and making a positive impact in the world through technology.
Cheers to the future!