"We're transforming the accounting profession", says Kate Muller, Caseware’s chief people officer. "Our goal is to help accountants do their job better than ever before." But how does this ambitious mission translate into fostering a global culture?
Creating a unified company culture across continents is a formidable challenge. But for Caseware, a global cloud-based technology company, it's a challenge it has embraced and conquered. With just under 1,000 employees serving customers across 130 countries Caseware has managed to build a cohesive global culture that resonates deeply with its diverse workforce. The secret sauce? A combination of innovative strategies, deep-rooted values and a relentless focus on communication.
Caseware’s core values – 'many voices, one team', 'innovation with impact' and 'powered by trust' – serve as the foundation for its global culture. "These values are more than just words on a wall," Muller emphasises. "They guide our daily operations and interactions."
To bring these values to life, Caseware uses a variety of collaboration tools and social interactions. "We host game nights, local events and even algorithmic coffee chats to foster personal connections," Muller shares. These initiatives not only make remote work more engaging but also build a sense of community.
Advice for HR leaders
So, what can HR leaders learn from Caseware’s approach? Here are some tips from Muller to foster a cohesive culture across geographic boundaries:
Cultivate a feedback and coaching culture
- Regular, open feedback helps new team members feel welcome and valued
- Implement a robust coaching programme to support continuous development
- In performance management equal weight for what was achieved and how it was achieved
Highlight regional uniqueness
- Celebrate local holidays and achievements to acknowledge diverse backgrounds
- Use internal newsletters and social platforms to share stories from different regions.
Diverse recognition methods
- Offer various recognition programmes, from shout-outs to peer-nominated awards
- Ensure recognition is timely and relevant to reinforce company values
Innovation is at the heart of Caseware’s strategy. "We use technology not just to enable work but to enhance it," Muller explains. Tools like algorithmic coffee chats pair employees from different regions for virtual coffee breaks, fostering cross-border friendships and collaborations.
Employee wellbeing is another critical focus. Caseware has embraced wellness programmes and mental health initiatives to support its remote workforce. "We recently rolled out a wellness programme through Virgin Pulse," Muller notes. "It’s been great to see our teams engage and support each other’s wellbeing."
Meeting people where they are
One of the most significant challenges for any global company is integrating new acquisitions. Caseware’s approach is to meet people where they are. "We focus as much as possible in the due diligence process to understand what that current culture is, how that is going to align and to learn as much as possible about the people in order to understand how those parallels align with our company and how nuanced we want to make that integration plan to make it successful, " Muller says. "We take a minute to pause and understand what method would really make sense to those team members and also what time. Sometimes it takes a year to bring a company culture together."
Leading a geographically dispersed team requires a specific skill set. Muller highlights the importance of change management and communication. "You can’t over-communicate," she insists. "It’s crucial to ensure everyone is aligned and feels included, especially during times of change."
Looking ahead, Caseware is focusing on trends like AI and automation, which promise to transform the HR landscape. "AI offers a great opportunity to free my HR team from some of those most routine practices so they can get into the more complex work and lead innovation," Muller observes. However, she stresses the need for a healthy balanced approach, particularly regarding wellbeing.
As Muller says, building a global culture is not just about aligning on business strategies and financial goals; it's about creating an environment where every employee feels connected and valued. Want to dive deeper into these strategies? Listen to our full Work Talk podcast episode with Kate Muller and watch the video above for more insights.
About Kate Muller
Kate Muller is a seasoned global human resources leader with more than 14 years of progressive experience in people strategy, talent management and employee capabilities. Currently serving as chief people officer at Caseware, she is responsible for building and cultivating a strong global culture and community.
Before joining Caseware Muller was senior HR business partner for global product and engineering at Squarespace, supporting a diverse workforce of 715 employees across the US and Europe.
With a Master's degree in dispute resolution focusing on employee and labor relations from Wayne State University, Muller has built a career partnering with c-suite executives to drive organisational success through strategic HR initiatives. Her expertise spans various areas including performance management, succession planning, employee engagement and change management.