What's the Work-Life Balance Like at Purchasing Platform?

What does flexibility in the workplace look like for you?

For me, flexibility means having the support to work in a way that aligns with my goals, schedule and personal preferences. I had only been with Purchasing Platform for a few months when I first brought up the idea of working remotely from Japan for six months on a Nomad Visa. I really wasn’t sure what the response would be, but from the start the team dynamics made me feel comfortable asking so I gave it a shot. Working with my manager and HR, we aligned on a few core overlap hours to make sure I could collaborate with the team and I’ve had the freedom to manage the rest of my schedule based on what works across time zones. It’s not a free-for-all — there’s structure — but it’s built on mutual trust. Again, the fact that I felt comfortable even bringing up the idea and that we made it work, says a lot about the culture here.
 

Why is flexibility an important element of your company’s culture?

Since I started learning Japanese five years ago I knew I wanted to go to Japan — and not just for visiting, but to truly immerse myself in the culture and daily life. Thanks to Purchasing Platform’s flexible approach to work, I have been able to make that dream a reality without hitting pause on my career. Being supported in such a meaningful life experience has been incredibly fulfilling and it’s made me even more invested in the work I do. When a company trusts you to live your life fully while contributing to big goals, it really creates a level of loyalty and motivation that can’t be forced.

What tools or meeting structures ensure that a flexible work setup works for everyone?

We have a few meetings throughout the week that the team has scheduled earlier in the day that really help keep us aligned. These are our daily tech standup and a weekly cross-functional sync. Both are short, focused meetings — 15 minutes or less — but they go a long way in keeping communication smooth and making sure nothing slips through the cracks. All of the team members are also very open to quick sync ups as needed which really fits with my communication style as well.