Hackathon — Culture building tool.
At Fiddler, we are fortunate to welcome talented, innovative, and creative individuals to our team. Each person, with their unique ideas and motivation, finds a home in departments like Sales, Marketing, Data Science, Engineering, and beyond. While these roles streamline workflow and guide their talents, we also acknowledge and celebrate the diverse potential each person holds beyond their designated sphere.
With this belief, we decided to host a Hackathon at our organization, a decision that transformed into a vibrant, electrifying experience, and proved to be an incredible tool for bringing our team together.
The Power of an Exciting Idea
When the concept of a Hackathon was first introduced, the enthusiasm was palpable. Employees across all levels and departments embraced the idea with open arms. The reception was especially notable from my manager, who became a driving force in organizing and rallying the event.
Unleashing Creativity and Learning
The Hackathon brought a wave of fresh energy into the company. As our team members brainstormed, they had the freedom to step outside their usual responsibilities and explore the breadth and depth of their abilities. Ideas were flying, people were thinking on their feet, and most importantly, everyone was learning something new.
Ownership, Autonomy and Passion
There was an overwhelming response to the Hackathon. We had over 16 diverse ideas proposed, involving various departments such as Engineering, Data Science, Solution Engineering, and Marketing. We observed people turning up early and staying late, a testament to their commitment and enthusiasm. This underscored that when employees have the autonomy to work on projects they truly care about, they not only work harder, but also produce more innovative results.
Importance of Accountability and Pride in Work
Implementing a simple system of accountability — having participants write down their ideas and pitch them to the team, followed by a demo day for showcasing their work — had a profound impact. It was evident that high-performing individuals took immense pride in their work and were excited to share their progress and results.
Strengthening Bonds and Building Connections
An unforeseen yet delightful side effect of the Hackathon was the strengthening of connections between team members. Colleagues were no longer just coworkers in different departments, but became ‘people’ with whom one could share, learn, and grow. The Hackathon allowed for non-adjacent connections to be forged and fostered an environment of increased vulnerability. This unique experience undoubtedly laid the groundwork for deeper, more honest conversations in the future.
The Hackathon was not just a competition or an event; it was an enlightening journey that demonstrated the multifaceted potential of our team members. It served as a reminder that when we provide the right platform, our people can indeed think outside the box, leverage their creativity, and deliver exceptional results.
