Coda’s recipe for a thriving culture: Inclusion, growth, and wellbeing

Organisational culture has emerged as the new competitive advantage, serving as the invisible force that shapes how employees feel, think, and act. As its impact becomes increasingly clear, it is evident that a strong culture is essential for driving business success.

Yet, cultivating a thriving workplace culture is a complex endeavour that requires careful attention and strategic planning. Organisations like Coda have recognised this and have made culture a cornerstone of their business strategy. Founded in 2011, Coda has quickly become a leader in digital payments, with a particular emphasis on the gaming industry. Serving major clients such as Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Riot Games, Coda excels in connecting publishers to over 10 million paying customers worldwide. Its product lineup includes Codapay for seamless direct payments integration, Codashop for in-game content purchases, and xShop for e-commerce solutions.

Yet, behind the scenes of this success story is a strong, supportive culture nurtured by Linda Lee, Senior Vice-President of People at Coda.

At the core of Coda’s success is its dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, as Lee told HRM Magazine Asia, “At Coda, we place a premium on creating a positive work environment that supports our employee wellbeing.” This commitment is reflected in initiatives such as the organisation’s mental health support programmes, flexible work arrangements, and emphasis on open communication.

She emphasised the importance of recognition and celebration, stating, “We recognise the importance of all our employees, and we provide recognition in the form of awards and celebrating wins.” This culture of appreciation not only boosts morale but also contributes to a more engaging and motivating work environment.

“I believe a strong organisational culture plays a crucial role in attracting new talent and employee retention, which then contributes to creating an enjoyable work environment.” – Linda Lee, Senior Vice-President of People, Coda.

“I believe a strong organisational culture plays a crucial role in attracting new talent and employee retention, which then contributes to creating an enjoyable work environment where our employees feel valued and respected, leading to higher job satisfaction and a greater willingness to stay with us,” Lee added.

Central to Coda’s success are its core values – collaboration and integrity. These values are not merely words but the foundational elements upon which Coda builds its operations and decision-making. On the former, Coda places a high premium on teamwork, believing that collaboration involves harnessing the collective wisdom, skills, and energies of a diverse team.

Integrity, on the other hand, is a cornerstone of Coda’s culture, emphasising the importance of consistently doing the right thing, even when faced with challenges or when no one is watching. This commitment to transparency, honesty, and accountability is central to Coda’s operations and contributes significantly to their long-term success. By embedding these values in every decision and action, Coda reinforces a culture of trust and reliability that is crucial to their continued growth and achievement.

Coda’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace environment is evident in its various initiatives. For instance, the organisation conducts biannual employee engagement surveys to provide valuable insights into areas for improvement, while a strong feedback culture encourages open dialogue and empowers employees to drive change.

She said, “We empower employees to speak up when they feel that there are areas for improvement and take action on changes that have a positive impact.”

One of Coda’s notable initiatives is the Women @ Coda employee resource group, which Lee is actively involved in. This group, led by Coda’s CMO and supported by senior female leaders, fosters engagement among women at Coda both virtually and in person. Additionally, the creation of social Slack channels by employees with common interests facilitates connection and camaraderie.

Another innovative initiative is Random Coffee, which pairs Codans across departments and locations to build new connections. “This year, we also started implementing Random Coffee so that Codans across departments and locations are randomly matched with each other to form new connections,” Lee shared. Such initiatives not only enhance employee interactions but also strengthen the sense of community within the organisation.

Overcoming challenges in a global workplace

Headquartered in Singapore, Coda also operates offices in Thailand and Indonesia, further strengthening its presence in South-East Asia. However, maintaining a consistent organisational culture across multiple countries presents its own set of challenges, as Lee pointed out, “Challenges we face include having to consider the cultural and language differences across our different cities. Navigating diverse workplace cultures, practices and time zones can hinder effective communication.”

To address these challenges, Coda leverages feedback from employee engagement surveys and various online and offline tools to ensure clear and consistent communication across regions. Lee noted, “We’ve also set in place clear frameworks – which have recently been refreshed to align with our core values and operating principles, and resources for growth and development to ensure our Codans are aligned and motivated.”

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Regular communication through monthly all-hands meetings and town halls also plays a vital role in maintaining a unified culture. “We organise town halls in our offices worldwide to better align, further improve our culture, and build a sense of inclusion and belonging,” Lee added.

On a personal note, Lee finds immense motivation in the positive feedback from employees, as she concluded, “Hearing that our Codans enjoy working in Coda and seeing them grow and develop with Coda is the most rewarding part of my job and the biggest motivator for me to continue creating and maintaining a positive work environment. We’ve come a long way, and it’s always fun and challenging to see how we can do even better.”