Eastern Europe is quickly becoming a top global destination for IT talent. With over 1.3 million software developers in the region and technology hubs sprouting up from Warsaw to Bucharest, companies are flocking to tap this rich pool of skilled workers. However, the competition for attracting and retaining top tech professionals in countries like Poland and Ukraine grows fiercer each day.
Simply offering the latest gadgets or office perks is no longer enough for startups and custom software development companies. To truly stand out and become the best IT employer in Eastern Europe takes a multifaceted approach centered around culture, growth, and meaningful work. This article explores key strategies for companies aiming to achieve employer-of-choice status in the thriving Eastern European market.
Define Your Cultural Values and Live by Them
A strong organizational culture that aligns with employee values is the foundation of an engaging workplace. However, culture cannot be imposed top-down through a few token perks, especially in startups and software development companies in Eastern Europe. Over 65% of IT professionals in Europe say shared values and purpose are vital in their job search, prioritizing cultural fit overcompensation. A 2021 McKinsey study on employee expectations found that shared cultural values and purpose now outweigh compensation in job selection.
To foster a genuine culture:
- Articulate core values that emphasize growth, transparency, diversity, and inclusion in startups and top IT outsourcing companies across Eastern European countries. Don’t just write them, embed them into everything from hiring practices to office layouts.
- Encourage openness at all levels through regular touchpoints between leadership and staff. This prevents silos from forming.
- Recognize that ping pong tables, free coffee, or fruit, alone don’t equate to culture. While fun perks have their place, purpose and people take priority.
Getting culture right attracts applicants not just searching for a job, but an employer matching their principles, especially within Eastern European software developer and IT outsourcing companies. But, it is not just about culture it is about keeping it positive. A study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that companies with a strong positive culture have 31% lower turnover rates than companies with weak cultures
Offer Clear Paths for Career Growth
Besides seeking cultural alignment, top talent in startups and software development companies care deeply about career trajectory. Eastern Europe produces over 100,000 STEM graduates yearly, conditioned to value education and continual skills expansion from a young age.
Smart companies leverage this by:
- Providing formal training programs, mentorships, and growth frameworks tailored to each employee’s strengths and interests
- Being transparent about advancement opportunities connected to skill development
- Giving staff stretch assignments allows them to expand their capabilities
- Partnering with local universities in Eastern European countries on specialized certifications continually elevating employee expertise.
- Defining a clear career path and growth opportunities is a must.
This focus on nurturing talent in IT outsourcing and software developer companies in Eastern Europe increases retention. Employees feel invested rather than static, as their skills and careers progress in parallel.
Make Work Meaningful Through Societal Impact
Eastern European tech professionals, especially from countries like Poland and Ukraine, yearn for purpose-driven work aligning with their values. Over 75% want jobs in startups or custom software development sectors improving lives, not just driving profits.
IT employers seeking deeper engagement can outsource projects to enhance cultural diversity.
- Spotlight the societal impact of people’s daily work in software development companies, whether it’s enabling remote learning or reducing environmental waste.
- Provide paid time for volunteering initiatives where staff help communities through technology
- Seek employee input on social causes they care about and ways to support them
- Fund passion projects allowing teams to innovate solutions addressing local education, climate or equality challenges
Fulfilling Eastern European technicians’ drive to do good through technology increases retention and brand sentiment. Companies in Eastern Europe benefit both in business and community terms. A 2020 report by Universum surveying Gen Z and millennial job priorities ranked ‘improving lives’ and ‘societal impact’ among the top 5 factors.
The Final Ingredient: An Authentic Employer Brand
An authentic culture, growth opportunities, and meaningful work constitute key ingredients for attracting and retaining star talent in Eastern Europe’s high-demand tech arena.
However, the glue binding everything together is showing this reality openly through your employer brand – what current staff say about your workplace. This holds exponentially more credibility with prospective employees than any slogan.
From bespoke Glassdoor pages to promoted Instagram takeovers, leverage platforms where technologists exchange transparent reviews. By spotlighting authentic voices on Eastern European teams, and showcasing growth in action rather than just stating it, your employer brand accelerates exponentially through word-of-mouth.
In an industry where skills trump demand, realizing the full potential of people is paramount. Software development, IT outsourcing, and startup companies investing in supportive cultures, advancement, and purpose earn their status as top employers in Eastern Europe.
The above strategies point the way. Yet every organization, particularly software developer startups, and IT outsourcing companies in Eastern Europe, must interpret these based on their specific context and values. Ultimately, becoming the best IT employer is an ongoing journey – but an incredibly rewarding one for businesses and employees alike when pursued with openness, foresight, and humanity.
The key is recognizing that the future of technology, particularly in software developer startups and Eastern European countries, relies first and foremost on empowering those driving it. We at ⋮IWConnect are happy and proud to have fostered numerous initiatives that make life in our offices fun and engaging focused on adventurous growth, unquestionable integrity, and absolute fulfillment that makes us an ambitious family.
FAQ
Q: What are the critical factors that help a company become the best IT employer in Eastern Europe?
A: To become the best IT employer in Eastern Europe, a company must focus on nurturing a talent pool of skilled software developers from Eastern Europe, providing comprehensive software development services, and fostering a positive development team culture. Strong leadership, investment in technology, and a commitment to software engineering excellence are also essential. Additionally, engaging in the latest trends like web development, and mobile app development, and adopting agile development processes can set a company apart in the competitive Eastern European software development industry.
Q: How important is it for software development companies in Eastern Europe to outsource effectively?
A: For software development companies in Eastern Europe, effective outsourcing is crucial. It allows these companies to scale up their software solutions capabilities quickly, access a broader talent pool, and manage costs more efficiently. Outsourcing can also enable companies to focus on core competencies while top vendors handle specific segments of the development process, such as web development or mobile app development, ensuring high-quality software solutions for clients.
Q: What role does the European Union play in the growth of development companies in Eastern Europe?
A: The European Union plays a significant role in the growth of development companies in Eastern Europe by providing access to a single market and facilitating easier collaboration across borders. Additionally, EU programs aimed at enhancing innovation and technology development contribute to the availability of funding and support for research and development. This supportive environment helps foster the growth of top software development companies in Eastern Europe, making it an attractive destination for outsourcing software development.
Q: Why are software developers from Eastern Europe considered key assets for software development companies?
A: Software developers from Eastern Europe are considered key assets because they bring high levels of technical expertise, a strong foundation in software engineering, and a problem-solving mindset to the software development process. Their proficiency in a wide range of technologies and programming languages, combined with a commitment to quality and efficiency, make them invaluable to any development team. Additionally, the region’s competitive education system ensures a continuous supply of well-trained developers, contributing to the reputation of Eastern Europe as a hub for top-tier software development talent.
Q: What trends are shaping software development in Eastern Europe in 2024?
A: In 2024, software development in Eastern Europe is being shaped by several key trends. These include the adoption of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for more intelligent software solutions, a focus on cybersecurity in the wake of increasing digital threats, and the continued rise of cloud computing for flexible, scalable software services. Additionally, Agile and DevOps methodologies are becoming the standard for streamlining the development process, enhancing collaboration, and ensuring faster time-to-market for new software products.
Q: How can companies in Eastern Europe maintain their position as top software development service providers?
A: Companies in Eastern Europe can maintain their position as top software development service providers by continuously investing in their development teams’ education and skill enhancement, staying ahead of technological advances, and maintaining high standards of software quality. Building strong client relationships, understanding market needs, and delivering custom software solutions that meet those needs are also crucial. Furthermore, adhering to best practices in project management and delivery, and fostering innovation within the development process, are essential strategies for retaining top vendor status in the competitive industry of software development in Eastern Europe.
