Iryna Glova: Growe is changing the game for company culture
Writing for iGaming Express, Growe’s Head of Recruitment, Iryna Glova, shares her expertise on how the iGaming industry can strengthen its talent pool and why bringing in experts outside the industry may drive innovation.
Growth, Diversity, and Opportunity
We’re fortunate in the gambling industry as innovation and growth opportunities emerge here monthly. Whether it’s the latest technological advancement or an exciting conference, there’s always something brand new on the horizon. This forward-thinking industry is dedicated to providing an engaging experience for both players and professionals.
Moreover, this business field tends to have low turnover rates overall, which creates a stable working environment where long-term relationships and deep company knowledge can be developed. Those who join the iGaming industry tend to stick around for the long term, and I understand why. According to my research, there are three main points:
- It is a dynamic and fast-paced field.
- It has many global and diverse growth prospects.
- It gives career development and learning opportunities.
Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
As I have already mentioned, iGaming is an exciting and diverse global field with constantly evolving technology and emerging trends, which ensures you will always have new knowledge and updates. It offers global opportunities, allowing employees to collaborate across cultures and attend international events. Last but not least, it prioritizes career development, providing training and clear paths for growth. It is hard to disagree that such a rich range of choices keeps the work exciting and challenging.
iGaming companies foster a fun, casual work culture with benefits and a focus on work-life balance. The dynamic environment itself encourages personal growth and career advancement amid rapid industry expansion. Therefore, people feel that they matter here and are interested in growing personally and contributing to the company’s development.
In general, these companies are well-established and financially stable. They provide job security through competitive salaries and performance-based bonuses to attract top talent. However, as new technologies continue to become more impactful, one of the biggest challenges we as an industry face is ensuring that we work with the right talent to keep pace with innovations.
Lately, I’ve seen iGaming companies on LinkedIn welcoming new hires from outside the industry. I wondered if we should look beyond our sector to broaden our knowledge and skills.
Bringing in IT, crypto, fintech, and e-commerce talent can give iGaming fresh perspectives. By expanding our recruitment strategies, we can gain valuable insights into innovation, risk management, and customer engagement, helping us more effectively adapt to the latest regulatory and tech challenges.
Speaking of fresh perspectives, I have relocated to Dubai, a vibrant city that’s always been a hotspot in business. Thanks to this industry’s international conferences and events, I have truly enjoyed collaborating with colleagues and clients from diverse countries and cultures. And, of course, with more markets opening up to regulation, I expect to add more stamps to my passport!
This global exposure ties into another crucial aspect of this sector: the intense focus on career and learning opportunities. As Head of Recruitment, I’ve noticed that learning and development are high priorities in iGaming. Companies increasingly invest in training programs to align employees’ skills with industry trends and technologies. Additionally, employers are establishing more apparent career progression paths and internal mobility options, which support employee growth and enhance retention.
Onboarding and Employee Engagement
At Growe, we work hard to create an environment where each team member can truly thrive. We value collaboration with our employees and actively seek ways to make their experience enjoyable and rewarding from day one.
The onboarding process is a crucial opportunity to showcase ourselves as an exceptional employer. During this time, new hires are acclimating to their roles, and these first months can significantly shape their long-term perception of our company.
To ensure a positive start, we implement a comprehensive onboarding system that includes training, mentorship, and clear expectations for their roles. To further support their integration, we offer a buddy system to pair new employees with a buddy or mentor, helping them navigate the company culture and settle into their new positions. Alongside competitive salaries, we offer comprehensive benefits like health insurance, wellness programs, lunch allowances, and career advancement opportunities.
Open communication and regular feedback are at the core of our culture. Moreover, we involve employees in decision-making through town halls, Q-Days, and opportunities to impact company initiatives and projects.
Forward-Thinking Approach
While professional growth is essential, we also strive to create an enjoyable work environment. We believe that a team that enjoys each other’s company works more effectively. Therefore, our employees can participate in regular team-building activities and social events, allowing them to bond outside the office.
Work-life balance is a top priority for us. The pandemic has blurred the lines between home and work, and many people have felt completely burnt out. This is why we encourage our team to switch off after work and take enough time to rest and rebalance throughout the year.
Our industry has made great strides in creating inclusive work environments, but there’s still more to do to attract top talent from both inside and outside. We can enhance this through internal mobility, clear job descriptions, and advanced recruitment tools.
Most importantly, we must ensure our employees feel valued and appreciated. And we are committed to fostering a culture of recognition and support. We create an environment where everyone can thrive by prioritizing open communication, providing growth opportunities, and celebrating achievements. This enhances job satisfaction and attracts the best talent to our industry.
At Growe, our success is directly attributed to our dedicated team. Each employee has played a crucial role in our growth, and we are fortunate to have them on board. Our appreciation for their contributions has significantly deepened as our company has evolved.
As we expand, we remain steadfast in our commitment to retaining our workforce through innovation and a forward-thinking mindset. Despite challenges such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, we will continue to adapt to new realities, striving to be the employer of choice. Together, we will build a brighter future, fostering an environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to our shared success.