A Crystal Clear Mission Drives the Business's Soul
Pros
We've all been jaded by a mission statement on a wall and the incongruity with how things actually get done. I have been surprised with how little difference there is at Indigo between the wall and the reality. It is well-documented how far down farmers are on the ladder of importance and Indigo is doing a staggering amount to change that. Working hard is the table stakes, and working smart while hard is what it takes to be successful. It is clear that colleagues meet those two criteria and they're motivated by something more noble than profits, but social change. That really matters when I go home at night. The snacks, benefits, office space, and general amenities are good, though it's clear that employees want to spend more cycles on their work than taking advantage of everything Indigo offers. Nobody seems to be at work for just a paycheck and free snacks. However, lunch three times a week is certainly well attended. The fast growth of the organization leaves many opportunities for growth, advancement, and innovation.
Cons
The timbre of employee gives off a consultant vibe. It's harder to make friends and relationships because people are so committed to their work and the mission. It is almost too professional for a late-stage startup (but over 1k employees, is that a startup?) There are few social events where cross-departmental teams can mingle, and it's only a matter of time before that manifests into political rivalry or cross-office rivalry. The leadership seems aware of the implications of being a hyper-growth business and have built in some measures to regulate and calibrate the culture, but more needs to be done. There is no junk food. Let me repeat that for those in the back: there is no junk food. No soda, no candy, no chips, no cookies, no energy drinks...This is an intentional decision, which for the most part I applaud except between 2 and 4 pm when some chocolate would be heaven. There does not seem to be a beer fridge, or a beer o'clock where people socialize.
