Building a Remote-First Culture at Tickd: How We Keep the Team Spirit Alive
Tickd launched in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a vision of becoming a remote-first organisation. From the beginning, our goal has been to build an exceptional SaaS platform, focused on delivering the best energy software solutions efficiently. But we knew achieving this goal while working remotely would require careful cultivation of a strong, supportive culture.
Just this month, at our monthly in-person day in Birmingham, our software engineering team brought a bottle of champagne to celebrate reaching a significant goal we’d set for ourselves at the start of the year. The gesture was spontaneous, yet it captured the team spirit and dedication that make Tickd such a unique place to work.
While a fully remote setup may not work for everyone, this is how we’ve fostered a close-knit team that feels connected, empowered, and motivated to build the best platform possible—even while working from a distance.
Keeping it Local (and Flexible)
Our software engineers are hired within an hour’s radius of Birmingham, where our headquarters is based. Though it’s tempting to look further afield to broaden the talent pool, we believe that having everyone nearby enables us to create a stronger bond when we meet in person.
Whenever possible, we rely on trusted recommendations from our existing team members or consultants. This helps ensure a cohesive team where mutual respect and shared values come naturally.
Trust, Autonomy, and Flexibility
At Tickd, we don’t believe in micromanagement. We treat our team members like adults, respecting their time and personal responsibilities. Need to drop the kids off, attend a medical appointment, or celebrate a family occasion? Go right ahead—no permission required. We only ask that everyone attends a 20-minute daily stand-up at 11 a.m., which we’ve found to be a sweet spot, accommodating both morning people and night owls.
This approach empowers each team member to structure their day in a way that best suits their productivity and life balance.
A Voice for Everyone
Each time we meet, we use a round-robin format to ensure every team member has a voice, regardless of their role or title. This practice fosters open communication, encourages new ideas, and keeps us aligned on our shared goals.
One Monthly Office Day to Connect
Once a month, we gather in person to keep our ‘human connection’ alive. This day isn’t so much about work as it is about catching up, building relationships, and enjoying each other’s company. We change up the venue each month, exploring different restaurants and places to eat together. This tradition has become something we all look forward to—it’s a chance to share stories, unwind, and recharge as a team.
Bi-Weekly Planning and Flexible Work Hours
Every two weeks, we hold a planning session to estimate and organise upcoming tasks. While we’re focused on hitting deadlines, we’re flexible on when the work gets done. As long as tasks are completed on time, we don’t mind if they’re done at dawn or midnight—our priority is quality, not the clock.
At Tickd, we’re proving that a remote-first culture can be both productive and personable. By trusting our team, embracing flexibility, and valuing personal connections, we’ve built a work environment that doesn’t just work—it thrives. Our approach may not be for everyone, but for us, it’s the ideal way to deliver the very best in energy software.
