“Collaboration” is a word that appears commonly in conversations around company culture, but for many office workers, it is a much-desired cultural staple.
In most offices, working together with colleagues is an essential part of daily life — and an essential part of what makes a business successful. A 2022 “State of Collaboration” survey by Alludo noted that 70 percent of employees believe a strong culture of collaboration can positively impact productivity and save time.
Additionally, teams that emphasize collaboration are often more engaged, and CliftonStrengths insights from Gallup indicate that high engagement levels result in a 23 percent increase in overall profitability for a business.
Beyond the business benefits, the teams at SharkNinja and Mirakl see collaboration as an extension of their outlook on one another’s career success. Whether they are learning lessons by taking time to share their challenges and experiences or prioritizing a human-centered approach to solving problems together, each of these teams has a unique approach to making a personal investment in a collaborative culture.
Built In Boston spoke to representatives from both teams to learn about their collaborative approach to culture and the other reasons they love where they work.
SharkNinja is a consumer product company known for a variety of product offerings, including kitchen appliances, beauty products and more.
Describe SharkNinja’s culture in one word.
“Collaborative.”
Honestly, it was hard to pick just one, but teamwork makes the dream work, right?
What I see every day in those on my team is how much they care about each other as coworkers — and, more importantly, as people. We are all invested in each other’s success and don’t hesitate to help when needed.
“We are all invested in each other’s success and don’t hesitate to help when needed.”
Members of my team have been collaborating over the past few months, pulling together a reference document about product testing and claims support. Each person brings different pieces of knowledge and expertise that will make this a well-rounded guide that will benefit others in product development and new hires for onboard training. This speaks to investing in the success of others.
How long have you been with SharkNinja, and what professional growth or development have you seen in that time?
I have been with SharkNinja for over 12 years, and every day, I recognize how lucky I am to be here. I started as a product manager and worked my way up to senior director. I am both an individual contributor and leader of a talented group of people.
Since managing a team, this has meant I am even more aware that I must lead by example, and my focus has shifted over the years to be more about growth in others. I look at what those on my team need from me, always asking myself what I can do to support them. Sometimes it’s enough that I’m here to listen, and other times they need me to step in and make something happen — or not happen. It’s up to me to create the right culture. I always tell my team that it’s health and family first, and that my goal for them is to take my job one day!
Mirakl is a SaaS platform that enables businesses to create, manage and scale their own online marketplaces, offering third-party products alongside their own inventory.
Describe Mirakl’s culture in one word.
When I think about Mirakl’s culture, “collaborative” is the word that immediately comes to mind. This isn’t just about “working together,” which is one of our core values — it’s about truly supporting one another to achieve success.
A great example of this happened recently when the global client success team gathered in Paris. We exchanged insights from different regions, realizing how similar our challenges are across the globe. Every conversation was filled with a genuine desire to see each other succeed, reinforcing that at Mirakl when one of us wins, we all do.
“At Mirakl, when one of us wins, we all do.”
What’s the coolest project you’ve worked on recently, and how did it help you grow professionally?
In the past year, the most exciting project I’ve been involved in has been Mirakl’s AI initiative. Mirakl is at the forefront of incorporating AI into every aspect of our work, and I’ve had the opportunity to deep dive into its potential. My focus has been on enabling the client success team to leverage AI tools, saving time on manual tasks so we can focus on more critical, value-driven work.
Beyond our internal use, Mirakl has also integrated AI into the products we offer, making it easier for our clients to optimize their operations. It’s an exhilarating time to be part of a company leading the AI revolution.
