Pooja Parameswaran’s Post

2+ years working at a stereotypical startup for pennies…  Sound familiar? 😅 No culture.  No work-life balance.  Just me, hustling through college and dreaming of something better. I realized something after all those late nights and weekend emails:  It wasn’t just about the work. It was about culture. The kind of culture that makes people want to work with you,  Not just for you. That’s why I founded WrittenlyHub | Boutique Content Marketing Agency Here’s the thing:  Entrepreneurship didn’t just call me because of freedom or money   (Although, let’s be real, those help). It called me because I wanted to build something different.  A place where people felt valued— Not like just another cog in the machine. So, what makes people want to stick around at WrittnelyHub? Let me break it down: → Flexibility in Work Hours  Because let’s face it, who decided 9-5 was the magic formula? → Remote Work Options  If you’re more productive in your PJs—why not? → Encouraging Creativity  We’re not robots. Creativity doesn’t happen on command. → No Micromanagement  I trust my team to get things done without me breathing down their necks. → Open Communication  No, really. Open. No hierarchy nonsense here. → Work-Life Balance (Seriously)  We don’t just say it. We live it. If you’re burning out, we’re doing something wrong. → Results > Hours Clocked  You can work 2 hours or 10 hours. If you deliver, that’s what matters. → Room for Growth  There’s always space to learn and move up. No glass ceilings. → Mental Health Support  Burnout is real. We talk about it—and we act on it. → Freedom to Make Decisions  You’ve got ideas? Great! You don’t need to ask permission to explore them. Sounds pretty good, right?  The truth is happy employees = happy clients. Plus, I’d much rather be the boss who gets it than the one you roll your eyes at in Zoom meetings. 🙃 So, here’s my question for you:  What’s the one thing about your work culture that keeps you engaged (or, what drives you crazy)?  - - - - -  Hi, I’m Saksham Gogia. I talk about everything entrepreneurship and personal branding. Find me in DM 📩 

To effectively scale hiring, you have to figure out your culture.   Without it; 🎯 You'll struggle to attract talent 🌱 You'll struggle to retain talent  👥 You'll struggle to build a pipeline of talent  𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞? In 2023, Venture Atlanta Conference identified 20+innovative start-ups redefining company culture (article in comments).   ⬇ Here, we delve into three standout Tech start-ups and their contributions to exemplifying the essence of a strong company culture.   monday.com 👉 Cloud-based work management platform with the aim to help businesses automate their workflows, manage their projects, tasks and resources in one place. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝? 🌼 They embrace a flat organisational structure that fosters autonomy and ownership among employees.   🌼 They provide attractive benefits such as flexible working hours and robust professional development opportunities.    🌼 They demonstrate a strong commitment to DE&I through various ERGs and open communication channels.      Canva 👉 An online design and visual communication platform   𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝? 🌼 They actively encourage innovation and collaboration.   🌼 They prioritize professional development initiatives.   🌼 They maintain high engagement levels among remote employees, which according to The Australian Financial Review, this was a notable achievement during the pandemic.    🌼 They offer appealing parental leave policies.    Iterable  👉 Growth Marketing Platform    𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝? 🌼 They are committed to cultivating a supportive and inclusive company culture.    🌼 There is a significant emphasis on collaboration, DE&I and work-life balance.    🌼 They invest in employee growth through stipends for L&D, health & fitness initiatives and paid sabbatical opportunities.    Its crucial to spotlight and celebrate organisations like these that consciously cultivate a vibrant company culture. 💡 Do you know of any other that exemplify this dedication to fostering a positive work environment? Tag them below ⬇ ***𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥. #startuphiring #companyculture #talentattraction #scaleups  

For years, I worked in the hospitality industry abroad. I loved the fast-paced environment, meeting people from different cultures, and growing in my career. But being far from my family took its toll. I missed birthdays, milestones, and the small, everyday moments that matter most. Eventually, I realized I needed a change. I wanted a career that allowed me to grow professionally while staying close to my loved ones. Transitioning to remote work wasn’t easy—I had to learn new skills and adapt to a completely different way of working. Now, I’m able to work with amazing clients from around the world while being present for my family. It’s been a challenging but rewarding journey, and I’m grateful for the balance I’ve found between work and home. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- My name is Annet, I help CEOs, startups, busy professionals, and coaches to: Manage schedules and appointments, ensuring their time is spent on high-priority tasks. Handle communication, including emails, inquiries, and follow-ups. Coordinate projects, ensuring deadlines are met and tasks are completed efficiently. Streamline workflows to save time and improve productivity. Provide dependable support for daily administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on growth and strategy. Feel free to contact me on aannet008@gmail.com and let's work together. #RemoteWork #Entrepreneurship #CEOsupport #Startups #Coaching #TimeManagement #Productivity #WorkflowOptimization #VirtualAssistant #WorkFromHome #AdministrativeSupport #GrowthDriven #Efficiency #SmallBusinessSupport

Your startup culture is toxic. Yes, I said it. And I'll say it louder for the founders in denial. Those 'culture perks' you're so proud of? Red flags. All of them. Here are the toxic traits you're passing off as 'company culture': 1️⃣ "We're like a family here"  Translation: We'll use emotional manipulation to overwork you. 2️⃣ "Unlimited leaves!"  But everyone's afraid to take them.  And those who do are subtly excluded from key decisions. 3️⃣ "We work hard, party harder"  Except the parties are mandatory fun.  And not showing up impacts your "culture fit" rating. 4️⃣ "Feedback is welcome"  Until someone questions the founder.  Then they're "not aligned with the vision." 5️⃣ "We're very transparent"  But salary discussions are taboo.  And nobody knows why three team members left last month. 6️⃣ "We don't track hours"  Because everyone's working all hours anyway.  Your 11 PM "quick updates" aren't fooling anyone. 7️⃣ "Our team is super passionate"  Code for: Expected to work weekends. Passion doesn't pay bills. 8️⃣ "It's organized chaos"  No, it's just chaos.  Your lack of processes isn't quirky, it's costly. 9️⃣ "Everyone wears multiple hats"  Translation: We understaff deliberately.  One person doing three jobs isn't growth. At D'chica, we chose different. Building a brand for women taught us: Real empowerment isn't a marketing slide.  It's in how you treat your people. We don't just sell comfort. We live it. →No glorified burnout →Actual weekends (yes, they exist) →Growth over grind →Impact over image Because honestly? How you treat your team shows up in your products.  And trust me, customers can smell the burnout. Real culture isn't your Insta story. It's what your team tells their therapist about. What's the most toxic "perk" your startup tried to sell you?

How important is work culture for growth of organization? Hey founders, let's talk about something that's often overlooked in the startup world: company culture. It's not just about having a cool office or free snacks (although, let's be real, those are nice perks too). A strong company culture is what sets successful startups apart from the rest. Why Company Culture Matters? When your company culture is strong, your employees are happy, motivated, and loyal. They're more likely to go above and beyond to help your business succeed. And let's not forget, a positive company culture is a major attractor for top talent. Who wouldn't want to work for a company that values its employees and has a fun, supportive environment? So, how do you build a company culture that drives success? Here are a few simple tips to get you started: 1. Define Your Values: What does your company stand for? What kind of work environment do you want to create? Communicate your values to your employees and make sure everyone is on the same page. 2. Involve Your Employees: Your employees are your biggest asset. Ask for their ideas and opinions. They'll feel heard and valued, and you'll get some great insights too. 3. Lead by Example: As a founder, you set the tone for your company culture. Make sure you're living the values you've defined and encouraging your employees to do the same. 4. Communicate Openly: Transparency is key to a positive company culture. Make sure your employees know what's going on and feel comfortable coming to you with questions or concerns. 5. Support Employee Growth: Help your employees grow and develop in their careers. This will keep them engaged and motivated, and you'll get to see them thrive. Building a strong company culture takes time and effort, but it's worth it. So, what's holding you back from creating a positive work environment for your employees? Share your challenges and successes in the comments below. Let's start a conversation about the importance of company culture in the startup world. #companyculture #workculture #worklifebalance #mentorness #mentornessforbusiness

Embrace New Work: Beyond the Clichés 💁♀️ Hey LinkedIn 🙋♀️ Let's talk about something that's been on my mind lately: the misconceptions around New Work. Sure, we've all heard about the perks like fruit baskets 🍎, 4-day workweeks 📅, and those trendy job bikes 🚲. But here's the deal: New Work is SO much more than that!!! Let's break it down: New Work isn't just about superficial benefits or flashy perks. It's about a fundamental shift in how we approach work and life. It's about empowerment, flexibility, and purpose. It's about creating environments where everyone can thrive, innovate, and make a real impact 💭💡 So, why the backlash? Well, some folks might see New Work as just another buzzword or a passing trend. But trust me, it's the real deal! It's about embracing change, embracing technology, and embracing the future of work. And guess what? It's not just for startups or tech companies. It's for EVERYONE who wants to work smarter, not harder 🧠🌐💪 And here's the exciting part: I'm currently diving deep into the world of New Work as a participant in a cutting-edge training program at the TAM Akademie to become a certified #NewWorkFacilitator 🎓🌟 Soon, I'll be equipped with even more knowledge and tools to help organizations integrate New Work principles and practices into their DNA 🛠️ I'll be sharing insights, tips, and strategies on how to unleash the power of New Work 🚀 Let's shape the future of work together! 💫 Who's with me? Drop a comment below and let's keep the conversation going! 👇 #NewWork #FutureOfWork #WorkSmartLiveSmart #WorkLifeBlending

🚀 Startup culture is often glorified as the ultimate career experience—fast-paced, innovative, and filled with the promise of endless growth. But let’s be honest, there’s a darker side we don’t talk about enough. The relentless hustle, the expectation to be "always on," and the glorification of burnout are not badges of honor—they’re symptoms of a toxic work environment. The truth is, while startups are great at disrupting industries, they’re also disrupting work-life balance, mental health, and sometimes even ethical standards. Let’s challenge the narrative that working 80-hour weeks is a necessary sacrifice for success. Real innovation doesn’t come from exhaustion; it comes from creativity, collaboration, and a healthy work environment. It's time to rethink how we define success in the startup world. If we want to build companies that last, we need to focus not just on growth, but on sustainable practices that value employees' well-being as much as the bottom line. After all, what’s the point of revolutionizing an industry if you’re leaving your team burnt out and broken along the way? Thoughts? Would love to know in the comments. #StartupCulture #WorkLifeBalance #MentalHealth #SustainableGrowth #Innovation

Early-stage startup employees, rather than deciding where to work based on brand prestige or investor signal, choose their employers based on mission alignment and their own estimation of the company’s potential. When early employees pick right and the company grows, they often need to rapidly scale their abilities and step into responsibilities that are well beyond their paygrade. Ultimately they often end up carrying the torch of the company’s culture as the people and processes around them formalize. https://lnkd.in/e2uvUStB

Recently, I came across an article discussing how Gen Z, unlike previous generations, views employment as a means to an end, not the end itself. With self-employment on the rise—whether through entrepreneurship, becoming influencers, or freelancing—the question arises: how are companies responding to this shift? Retaining and nurturing talent has become a significant challenge, prompting some companies to think outside the box: 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐬: Some organizations offer paid sabbaticals where employees can pursue personal projects or travel, allowing them to return recharged and with fresh perspectives. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬: Companies are encouraging employees to innovate from within, providing resources and support to develop their own ideas into business ventures under the company umbrella. 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤-𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦-𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬: Instead of the typical office or remote work setup, some firms organize retreats where teams work together from inspiring locations around the world, blending work with cultural experiences. 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬: Rather than following traditional career ladders, employees can design their own career paths, choosing roles and projects that align with their passions and skills. 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬: Mental health support and work-life balance initiatives are becoming standard offerings to help employees manage stress and avoid burnout. 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞:  There's a growing emphasis on aligning company missions with the values of Gen Z, focusing on social responsibility and impact-driven goals. In our organization, we saw a significant improvement by providing a "Purpose Driven Culture" and "Flexible Timings." Waiting to see if this is just a passing wave, or we are witnessing a fundamental change in how work and careers are perceived! The future of the workforce is evolving, and it's time for organizations to adapt or be left behind. Coming up with what contribution GenZ can also make in order to adapt to the work culture!