Beyond Borders: Bonusly’s Global Shift and the Power of Connection

Meet Namaste Reid, Data Engineering Manager at Bonusly:

Namaste Reid is a senior data engineering manager at Bonusly, bringing over 20 years of experience in the software industry. Throughout his career, he has been deeply passionate about creating a sense of ownership and accomplishment for himself and others, whether working on challenging projects or managing teams. Namaste is driven by the desire to explore the dynamics within companies that foster or hinder these conditions. At Bonusly, he contributes to their mission of building better connections for better teams. By fostering appreciation, recognition, and meaningful work, Namaste helps individuals establish authentic relationships with their managers and peers, ultimately creating a positive impact on organizational culture.

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Quick Read: Namaste Reid, Data Engineering Manager at Bonusly, Interview Highlights

Why did Bonusly decide to go global, and what was the number one problem they aimed to solve?

Bonusly decided to expand globally to understand its international customer base better and embrace diversity within its employee base. By having a global presence, Bonusly gains valuable insights into different markets and cultures. Additionally, opening up their recruiting pool beyond the United States allows them to tap into diverse talent and enhance their teams’ skill sets and perspectives.

“We are a global product. We have wonderful customers all over the world. And so having some presence within our employee base that is also global makes a lot of sense.”

What criteria did Bonusly consider when choosing the countries to hire from, and what unique aspects were important in the expansion process?

For their global hiring strategy, Bonusly focused on the Western Hemisphere, particularly Latin America. This decision was driven by the region’s talent quality and the desire to maintain significant overlaps in co-working hours. By keeping collaboration strong across time zones, Bonusly ensures effective teamwork and fruitful idea generation.

What challenges and adjustments did Bonusly face after implementing the global hiring strategy, despite their prior establishment of hybrid and remote work policies?

As a remote-first company that values in-person collaboration, one major challenge for Bonusly was organizing on-site activities for a geographically dispersed team. Overcoming logistical and financial hurdles associated with bringing team members together became a top priority. Bonusly is actively working on solutions to ensure everyone has the opportunity to connect both remotely and face-to-face.

What were Bonusly’s expectations and concerns before embarking on the global hiring process, and did they align with reality?

Bonusly had two significant concerns: compliance and integration of new hires into their teams. They wanted to ensure regulatory requirements were met to avoid any potential litigation or penalties. Additionally, they sought to create a welcoming and supportive environment for new employees, enabling them to contribute effectively from the start. By partnering with GoGloby, Bonusly successfully addressed these concerns and laid a solid foundation for their global hiring efforts.

What qualities and skills were Bonusly looking for in candidates from Latin America, and how did they compare to their requirements for US-based engineers?

Bonusly values collaboration, ownership, and responsibility in their engineers, regardless of their location. They sought individuals who would contribute to the organization’s collective intelligence and foster a teamwork culture. The interview process for Latin American candidates was similar to that of US candidates, with additional questions related to familiarity with US companies and understanding the transition process.

“As far as I’m concerned, we’re all people, we’re all engineers, and we all want to work together… We want people that are going to come in and participate, engage in that culture and help make us better together.”

How did Bonusly ensure a supportive and engaging work culture for both their remote and US-based teams?

Bonusly integrated Latin American engineers directly into existing teams that included US-based engineers. This approach allowed for skill development, knowledge sharing, and rapid integration. By treating all employees equally, providing growth opportunities, coaching, and mentorship, Bonusly aims to create a cohesive team experience regardless of location.

“We don’t have separate teams for remote in the US. We are integrating the Latin American engineers directly into teams that are already having US-based engineers, and we’re mixing them.”

What are the top reasons for potential talent to consider joining Bonusly at this stage?

The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a global product and contribute to improving the world is a compelling reason to join Bonusly. Furthermore, the company values ownership and encourages employees to identify ways to improve their work environment and collaboration.

“The opportunity to be part of a company and a product that you have a chance to make a big impact on and is a meaningful opportunity to help make the world a better place… We want people that are going to come in and participate, engage in that culture and help make us better together.”

What advice does Bonusly have for tech leaders and executives considering global hiring?

Namaste shared three key pieces of advice. Firstly, finding a reliable partner with expertise in international hiring is crucial to streamline the process. Secondly, maintaining high standards and not compromising on talent acquisition ensures the right individuals are selected. Lastly, creating an inclusive work environment where all employees can contribute their best work fosters overall success.

“Find a perfect partner to work with… That makes the whole process so much easier… The second one is to hold a high bar… And then the third one is, whenever possible, just treating people as human beings and trying to help them bring their full self to work.”