23 Lessons We Learned at Neo Vision in 2023

2023: A Year of Insight and Evolution at Neo Vision - Our Top 23 Lessons

Let’s get real: working in a tech agency like Neo Vision really puts the whole 'time is relative' thing into perspective. Our day-to-day is anything but typical. Rolling with the punches is part of our routine and not meant for everyone.

Sure, working in tech has its perks – great pay, the occasional day working in pyjamas, and being right at the heart of a constantly changing industry. But let's not sugarcoat it. This year, we've seen our fair share of ups and downs, with tech layoffs and AI shaking up traditional job roles, not to mention the uphill battle faced by startups. In a world currently grappling with the strains of conflict and fears of financial instability, finding the right approach to pitch our high-end digital products has become an increasingly challenging test of patience.

Speaking of being a Romanian high-end web agency taking on the global market...it's a challenge. But our philosophy is simple: invest in our people. We've built a fantastic team hustling in the office trenches together. This close-knit way of working is great for team spirit, but it also opens us up to the risk of our top talents being enticed by offers from larger companies. But that's the game we play, competing with both industry giants and smaller local agencies.

Being a premium service in a market that's still adjusting to this idea is no easy task. It's a bit like convincing a lifelong budget shopper to spring for a luxury item. That's where our straightforward, 'No Bullshit' approach pays off – we're all about transparency and educating our clients on the real value of what we offer. And when it comes to the global stage, where Romania is often pegged alongside countries with lower rates, we have to push even harder to showcase our value.

But despite all these challenges, here we are, eight years later, still going strong. We've not only sustained ourselves, but we've also expanded, growing our team and network of partners around the globe. This newsletter is our shout-out to all those lessons we've picked up from our time at Neo Vision in 2023.

Neo Vision's 2023: Key Lessons Learned

After Alex's intro, here's the core of our newsletter: our 2023 lessons. I'll begin with the first eight insights from my perspective as the CEO, setting the tone for more invaluable lessons shared by our team. These insights are the backbone of our journey this year, reflecting the challenges and successes we navigated at Neo Vision.

1. The Myth of Irreplaceability: This year proved that nobody on the team is irreplaceable. Seeing important people leave was tough, but less disruptive than I feared. I’ve learned that expecting everyone to align with my vision and values fully isn’t realistic. Loyalty varies, and so do goals. The key is our core values. With these intact, we can rebuild effectively and nothing vital is lost.

2. Slow to Hire, Quick to Fire: This year reinforced a crucial hiring principle for us. In a small team like ours, every member counts massively. So, we take our time bringing people on board. But if someone isn't meeting expectations consistently, we've learned to act quickly. It's tough, but lingering in the hope of improvement or delaying the inevitable doesn't help anyone – not the team, not the company, and not even the person who's struggling.

3. Preventing Misunderstandings Among Executives: Throughout 2023, we learned that as CEO, COO, and CTO, we need to keep talking and keep things transparent. Regularly clarifying our roles and what we expect from each other prevents a lot of headaches. If we put off these talks, misunderstandings grow, and they become harder to fix. Clear, frequent communication has been essential in keeping our leadership team on the same page.

4. Resilience in Adversity: This year was a test of our strength. With the world in economic uncertainty, tech companies laying off staff, and a downturn in investments, the challenges were real. However, we didn't just survive; we held our ground. We kept every team member on board and followed through with salary raises for our developers. While we pass on dividends this time, it’s a strategic move that places us in a strong position for 2024. We’re not going anywhere.

5. Adaptable Approach to Partnerships: In 2023, we learned to mirror the treatment we receive from our partners. It’s okay to lead with generosity, but we must know where to draw the line. Clinging to partnerships that worked well in the past isn’t always beneficial. As our company and our needs evolve, we recognize that it’s healthy to reevaluate and, if necessary, end partnerships when our visions no longer align.

6. Staying True to Personal Commitments: This year made it clear that how we manage our personal life directly impacts our work. I noticed that whenever I neglected my health routine, it didn’t just make me feel bad physically; it also shook my confidence in my work. Doubts crept in, and my trust in my own decisions wavered. It all comes down to this: the commitments we make to ourselves are as important as our business goals.

7. Value in Personal Involvement: 2023 was a reminder for us at Neo Vision not to get lost in creating processes for everything. The essence of what makes us stand out is the direct input from myself, Teo, and Andrei on various projects. Turning everything into a standardized process could lead us down a path where we lose our uniqueness and blend into the crowd. It’s crucial to preserve that personal touch, which is at the heart of our value proposition.

8. Building Leaders One at a Time: One of my main takeaways from 2023 is the need to replicate my leadership style within the team. The approach is simple yet profound: select someone you utterly trust and invest heavily in their growth. To scale Neo Vision effectively, we need more than just more people; we need more leaders. And that’s a process that works best on a one-on-one basis. It's an investment, not just in the person, but in the future of our entire company.

9. Cross-Disciplinary Teams are a must! When it comes to software development, developers aren't the only people you need. In order for a project to be successful, you need designers, product owners, marketers, and any other person with skills that will add value to the final product. Even if we go one level deeper, the same principle applies. For example, you need a team of software developers that has skills in front-end, back-end, DevOps, etc.

10. Great developers can be poor leaders. There is an overemphasis on technical skills for leadership roles. This can lead to the misconception that the best technical person should lead, even if they lack managerial skills or interest. At the same time, the biggest struggle when transitioning from a developer to a leader is with the shift in focus. As a developer, you have a narrow focus on the details at hand that need to be implemented, while being a leader requires a broader perspective and understanding of the business, market, and organizational dynamics.

11. Processes need to become habits. Processes should be flexible enough to fit different work styles but at the same time result in similar outcomes. Major hurdles can be a lack of consistency across the team, insufficient training, lack of understanding or agreement. At the same time, if proper support is offered, but people fail to fill in the gaps in a process to match their work style, then they are not the right person for the job.

12. Leverage one's strengths and compensate for their weaknesses. There is nothing wrong with lacking skills in certain areas. The important part is to exploit your strengths 100% and ask for help when you feel overwhelmed. An ideal team knows each other's weaknesses, and every individual takes advantage of their strengths as much as possible. IRL teams aren't perfect, and it is the job of the team leader to assign everyone tasks where they shine.

13. You need to understand the core values and resonate with them—people who fail to do so most probably aren't a fit for the team. The hardest part is to follow the core values; leaders should set the example and align everyone to them. There can be times when the core values don't apply because of extreme circumstances, and when it happens, make sure everyone knows why.

14. Paper First, Tech Later: Sometimes, the simplicity of sketching ideas on paper helps brainstorm faster. It’s like a playground for thoughts without the distractions of technology. When starting a project, pen and paper can be your best friends. They help get ideas out quickly, making it easier to see what might work before diving into digital complexities.

15. Trying 'Bad' Ideas: Innovation often comes from unusual or seemingly "bad" ideas. These ideas might not seem great at first glance, but exploring them can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Encouraging open-mindedness about unconventional concepts can spark creativity and lead to unique solutions. Also, in the brainstorming session, in the UX/UI field, quantity leads to quality by iterating over and over again.

16. Small Feedback Matters: Even the tiniest feedback can be a gem. It’s like finding little puzzle pieces that eventually form a complete picture. Gathering and considering small feedback, whether it's about colors, fonts, or user interactions, can significantly improve the result.

17. Artisanal Approach to Code: We shouldn't think about ourselves only as programmers and writing code as typing words on a keyboard. We are artisans shaping art through code. In this ephemeral world, the art we create will last, not for eternity, not for centuries, maybe not even for decades, but as a part of us throughout the rest of our journey in which we all should seek to enrich our souls. But this journey is not alone. This is not my art. It's OURS; each line of code contributes to the collective masterpiece, highlighting the lasting impact of our shared creations.

18. Thorough Contemplation in Coding: Thorough contemplation helps identify potential pitfalls, optimal pathways, and elegant solutions. This mental preparation acts as a blueprint, minimizing errors and fostering efficient problem-solving. In 2023, I learned to embrace the art of thoughtful coding, where the keystrokes are the finale of a symphony composed in the mind, resulting in more robust and elegant solutions. The true groundwork happens in the mind before the code takes shape.

19. The Realities of Coding: Coding is 90% perpetual frustration, 10% personal satisfaction, and 100% teamwork.

20. Trust and Self-Belief: If you can't trust yourself, trust the people who trust you; they might be a step ahead of you

21. Choosing the Right Company: Choose the right company to work for; just because everyone else in your life has a horror story about their workplace/coworkers, that doesn't mean you should compete with them; you should probably compete with the people in your life who've learned to negotiate themselves into a better place;

22. Document Everything: Carefully document your tasks and the methods you use to address them. As time passes, details can become blurry—what you did last week or last month might feel like it was done by someone else. Keeping a clear record ensures that you can always recall and understand your past actions and decisions.

23. Break from Screens is Godhand: Taking some time off of the internet and bright screens is needed for people like us working all day in front of some screen.

Closing Thoughts from Neo Vision's CEO: Reflecting on a Year of Growth and Resilience

Closing a Remarkable Year: As 2023 comes to a close, we're not quite where we want to be, but we've made tremendous strides. We're looking at the biggest pipeline in our history – almost $5 million in potential projects. I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all my colleagues for sticking with us through this tumultuous year. Your commitment to our shared goals, hard work, and willingness to grow have been instrumental. I regret not having more one-on-one time with each of you, but rest assured, your efforts have propelled us to this point. Great things are on the horizon, and I'm grateful for your trust in our (neo) vision.

Happy Holidays!

As we wrap up this year's final edition, I'd like to extend our warmest holiday wishes to each and every one of you. The coming year is already shaping up to be an exciting one, with the launch of our new website on the horizon—a project we can't wait to share with you. Stay tuned for more newsletters in 2024, brimming with fresh insights and updates on our journey. Cheers to a bright and prosperous new year ahead!