What makes Farhan Rifat sure he made the right decision when he joined commercetools?
“The combination of a smooth onboarding experience, engaging work assignments, supportive colleagues and managers, a strong company culture and ample growth opportunities,” the web developer told Built In.
More than just feeling encouraged by his experiences at his new company, Rifat also found a desire to contribute to the company’s larger mission, which motivated him to excel even further.
As Rifat helps commercetools’ marketing team promote its composable commerce platform, he has found the “forward-thinking and supportive” culture helps keep him engaged even while working remotely.
“The collaborative work culture, focus on employee development, flexibility of remote work and engaging virtual team traditions make me feel fortunate to have joined commercetools,” he said.
Rifat gave Built In a peek behind the curtain of what has made his experience at commercetools empowering, fun and focused, from onboarding to the projects he has coming up next.
“The collaborative work culture, focus on employee development, flexibility of remote work and engaging virtual team traditions make me feel fortunate to have joined commercetools.”
What was the onboarding process like for you? What was your favorite part?
The onboarding process was exhilarating and informative. It provided me with a comprehensive understanding of commercetools’ organizational structure, processes and the work carried out by each department.
While all the onboarding sessions were valuable, a few stood out as exceptional. First, our co-founder and CEO, Dirk, gave a presentation on the vision for the company that instilled a sense of purpose in me, aligning the company's vision with my personal and professional aspirations. Second, our Chief Strategy Officer, Kelly, gave a deep dive on our products, which offered an in-depth technical overview that I found immensely beneficial.
As a former frontend developer, I was also excited to attend the frontend onboarding session, which provided me with an opportunity to gain insights into the frontend development of the company’s products. Understanding the technical details of how the product works and how the frontend team operates within the broader organization provided me with a more comprehensive understanding of the company’s operations.
What pleasantly surprised you after you joined commercetools?
Since joining commercetools and working remotely from my home office, I was delighted to discover a strong sense of collaboration and teamwork within the company. Despite not being physically present in one of our office locations, my colleagues have been incredibly supportive and readily available to assist whenever I’ve needed help. This collaborative work culture has made me feel connected and valued as part of the team, even in a remote setting.
Additionally, commercetools has provided me with excellent opportunities for personal and professional development. The company has a robust learning and development program, offering various online training resources and mentorship opportunities. I appreciate the company’s commitment to investing in its employees’ growth and continuously enhancing our skills and knowledge.
Another pleasant surprise has been the company’s emphasis on employee well-being and work-life balance. The flexibility to work from home has been a game-changer for me, and has allowed me to achieve a better equilibrium between my personal and professional life. This level of flexibility demonstrates commercetools’ understanding of the importance of work-life balance and contributes to a positive work environment.
Lastly, even though I work remotely, I’ve been impressed by the virtual team traditions and events that commercetools organizes. The company has found innovative ways to foster team bonding and maintain a sense of camaraderie through virtual coffee chats, diversity day and special celebrations. These initiatives have helped create a supportive and enjoyable work atmosphere despite the physical distance.
“Even though I work remotely, I’ve been impressed by the innovative ways the company fosters team bonding and maintains a sense of camaraderie.”
When did you know you made the right decision in joining commercetools?
When I joined commercetools, there were several moments that reassured me that I had made the right decision.
The onboarding process was smooth and well organized. The company provided me with all the necessary resources, information and support to quickly acclimate to my new role. From day one, I felt welcomed and valued as a part of the team.
As I started diving into my work assignments, I realized that the projects and tasks I was given aligned perfectly with my skills, interests and professional goals. This alignment allowed me to leverage my strengths and make meaningful contributions from the beginning. Feeling challenged and engaged in my work confirmed that I had made the right choice in joining the company.
From interacting with my colleagues and managers, I quickly sensed a strong sense of teamwork, collaboration and mutual support. Whenever I had questions or needed guidance, my teammates were always willing to lend a helping hand and share their expertise. The positive and supportive work environment fostered a sense of belonging and motivated me to thrive in my role.
As time went on, I had the opportunity to further understand the company’s culture and values. I discovered that the organization not only emphasizes excellence in its work but also prioritizes integrity, innovation and a customer-centric approach. This alignment with my own values and the company’s commitment to making a positive impact solidified my belief that I had made the right decision in joining commercetools.
How has commercetools supported your development since you finished onboarding?
The company demonstrates a clear focus on employee development and growth. Through regular performance evaluations, feedback sessions and conversations with my manager and team lead, I could see a genuine interest in helping me succeed and progress in my career. The availability of training programs, mentorship opportunities and avenues for skill enhancement further reinforced my confidence in the company’s investment in my professional growth.
“The availability of training programs, mentorship opportunities and avenues for skill enhancement further reinforced my confidence in the company’'s investment in my professional growth.”
How have you hit the ground running since you joined? What are you most excited to accomplish next?
Since joining the company, I’ve completed many tasks, gained insights into the website team’s workings and continuously improved the company’s website.
My current goal is to work on a new company project, enabling me to collaborate extensively with other departments and teams. Cross-functional collaboration drives innovation and exceptional results, so I am actively seeking out collaboration opportunities, engaging colleagues from diverse departments and attending cross-functional meetings. By leveraging their expertise and perspectives, we can enhance project outcomes and foster stronger relationships.
This collaboration will deepen my understanding of commercetools’ operations and contribute to shared goals, improved communication and greater efficiency. I’m excited to make a broader impact, bridging gaps between teams and driving innovative solutions for the company's success.
What aspect of your professional growth are you most excited to evolve?
As a web developer working within the marketing team, I am most excited about evolving my skills and expertise in digital marketing and understanding how my role contributes to the broader marketing strategy. I am eager to deepen my knowledge of marketing principles, strategies and best practices to ensure that the websites I develop align seamlessly with the overall marketing objectives of the company. This involves understanding user experience, conversion optimization and the impact of website design on marketing campaigns.
Additionally, I am excited to collaborate closely with marketing professionals across the team to gain insights into their perspectives and learn how their work interconnects with mine. By actively participating in cross-functional projects, I aim to enhance my understanding of the marketing landscape and develop a well-rounded skill set.
Furthermore, I look forward to leveraging the resources and expertise within the marketing team to enhance my knowledge of analytics and data-driven decision-making. This will allow me to analyze website performance, track key metrics and contribute valuable insights to optimize marketing efforts.
