Remote Work At komoot
100%
Remote
70+
Team Members
Berlin, Germany
Headquarters
* As of September 2020
Team Photo
komoot Remote Company Q&A
Maria, Recruitment & Employer Branding - Interview with Remote.co
What does your remote-friendly company do?
We build the world’s best outdoor navigation tool, and our technology allows everybody to better find, plan, and live authentic outdoor experiences.
Did you switch to remote or start out that way?
We used to have an office when we were a very small team—we even cooked lunches together and were a very close knit team since the very beginning. People at komoot have always loved spending time outdoors and, in general, value flexibility in order to live the lifestyle they desire. We started to experiment with remote options and working from different places, and it worked just fine so we thought, why not go fully remote? And we never looked back.
How important is remote work to your business model?
We are a fully remote team with no intention of switching to a traditional working model. So, I would say, very important :).
What do you consider the biggest benefits of a remote workforce?
- Better access to talent for us and, for the talent, better access to meaningful work that may not exist in the region where they live
- Possibility to do the work you love in a place you love
- Diverse and international team
What traits do you look for in candidates for a remote job?
Motivation is very important. In order to be successful in a remote environment, one has to be self-motivated. You will not be given daily tasks at komoot and you are responsible for driving your agenda/day. It’s up to you to build your day and achieve results.
How do you conduct interviews for remote jobs?
Video interviews over Zoom
Do your remote team members meet in person?
- We organize team gatherings three times per year (when it’s safe to do so) where we all meet and work together, but also have fun together and explore more of the great outdoors.
- Since our team members travel quite often, especially during the summer period, they meet spontaneously at different places as well.
How do you measure the productivity of remote workers?
By outcomes. Always.
What is your BYOD policy for remote workers?
Everyone gets the latest device they need to be as successful in their work as possible, along with any device needed to perform their job to the best of their ability.
What is your time off policy for remote workers?
We offer 38 days (including public holidays). Since we have employees all around Europe with different public holidays, everyone on the team gets 38 days and they are free to take them anytime they want.
How did you implement a remote work policy?
The idea came with the growth of our team. Once we decided to go remote, we implemented the formal processes. And we never looked back!
What advice would you give to a team considering to go remote?
Assess if this is the way you would like to drive your company and if the answer is yes—go for it.
What challenges have you encountered building a remote team?
We have a great culture and team and have been growing very fast in the past few years. The biggest challenge is ensuring we keep it this way, where everyone feels connected and is satisfied, challenged, and happy. More people equals more personalities and preferences.
What are the most effective tools for remote team communication?
- Digital tools like Zoom, Miro, Google Docs, Trello, or Slack work great!
- For more complex issues, Zoom calls can save a lot of time.
How does your team address different time zone challenges?
Currently, we hire only within the UTC-1 to UTC+3 time zones. Our core working time is between 10am-3pm (Berlin time) and during this time everyone should be available. We have a synchronous way of working as we work in projects/teams, and to drive them forward it is beneficial to have everyone available. We do have some “rules,” like answering a Slack message within 30 minutes, but to be honest, we just use common sense. I’ve never really had any issues.
What are the biggest benefits of being a remote worker?
- Environmental—no need to commute
- Manage my own time the way it suits my working style
- True responsibility and ownership to drive projects forward
- Flexibility
- Growth
What tips do you have to disconnect when working remotely?
I think it’s pretty similar to working non-remotely. Different people have different preferences, but I am quite outdoorsy and I like to move. Go for a run/walk. Do something creative. Take a vacation. It’s a must. I also like to hang out with my friends and talk about nothing and everything.