The Adyen Formula

Summary

Adyen fosters a unique company culture centered on partnership with merchants, transparency, and continuous innovation. The company values direct communication and ethical business practices, emphasizing long-term relationships without compromises. Engineers are encouraged to see the impact of their work, while diverse perspectives are welcomed to drive better outcomes. Adyen’s fast-paced environment encourages quick iterations to surprise the market, all while maintaining a culture of openness and collaboration. With its Dutch roots, the company emphasizes transparency and directness, tailored to local cultural norms, ensuring a scalable, sustainable approach for long-term success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Adyen fosters a partnership with its merchants, focusing on collaboration rather than a supplier relationship.
• 😀 The company’s approach is long-term, ensuring they can build ethical, sustainable businesses that they are proud of.
• 😀 Engineers at Adyen are encouraged to see the impact of their work, reinforcing a sense of pride in their contributions.
• 😀 At Adyen, winning as a company is more important than individual ego, fostering a team-oriented mindset.
• 😀 Adyen promotes open discussions and values different perspectives to reach the best outcomes, especially when opinions differ.
• 😀 The company operates globally, with a focus on communication through phone calls rather than relying on emails.
• 😀 Adyen aims for rapid innovation, constantly iterating on products to surprise the market with new, exciting features.
• 😀 The company’s Dutch roots are reflected in its direct communication style, which is adaptable to different cultural contexts.
• 😀 Adyen emphasizes transparency in communication, particularly with merchants, aiming for honesty without rudeness.
• 😀 The Adyen formula, which emphasizes directness and transparency, is seen as scalable and sustainable over time.

Q & A

What is the Adyen formula and how does it define the company's approach to working with merchants?

The Adyen formula refers to the company's approach of building long-term partnerships with merchants rather than treating them as suppliers. This partnership focuses on creating value and making a positive impact together. It emphasizes internal harmony and strong collaboration, which translates to better service and outcomes for merchants.

How does Adyen ensure that engineers feel the impact of their work?

Adyen ensures that engineers see the impact of their work by making sure that the results of their efforts, such as successful implementations, are acknowledged not only by the commercial team but also by the engineering team. This helps engineers feel proud of their contributions and understand the positive impact on merchants.

What is the significance of the 'winning is more important than ego' mindset at Adyen?

The 'winning is more important than ego' mindset emphasizes teamwork and collective success over individual recognition. At Adyen, it is crucial that everyone works together to achieve the best possible outcome for the company and its partners, rather than focusing on personal accolades.

Why does Adyen prioritize communication over email, and what method do they encourage for better discussions?

Adyen prioritizes direct communication over email because they believe it facilitates better understanding and collaboration. They encourage employees to pick up the phone for real-time conversations, especially since the company's global operations require quick and effective communication across different time zones.

How does Adyen approach the need for fast iteration in product development?

Adyen emphasizes the need for rapid iteration by continuously working on delivering new versions of their products. This approach is designed to surprise the market with innovative and useful features that keep Adyen ahead of competitors and in tune with merchant needs.

What role does the Dutch culture play in shaping Adyen's company values, especially regarding directness?

The Dutch culture, known for its directness, significantly influences Adyen's company values. The company embraces direct communication but ensures it remains respectful and culturally appropriate. They encourage transparency, ensuring that merchants receive clear and honest information, regardless of the cultural context.

How does Adyen balance cultural differences in directness when communicating with global teams?

Adyen takes into account cultural differences in directness when communicating with global teams. While the company encourages being on the more direct side, they emphasize that communication should always remain respectful and appropriate to the cultural norms of each region.

What does Adyen mean by wanting to 'change the payment industry'?

By wanting to 'change the payment industry,' Adyen aims to challenge and improve existing practices. The company seeks to innovate and deliver new solutions that break away from the status quo, offering merchants and consumers a better experience in payment processing.

How does Adyen ensure that employees can contribute at a high level within the company?

Adyen ensures high levels of employee contribution by fostering an environment that allows individuals to take ownership of their work and make meaningful impacts. The company's culture encourages quick, iterative thinking, enabling employees to work efficiently and creatively towards shared goals.

What is Adyen's view on fun in the workplace, and how does it relate to their overall mission?

Adyen believes that having fun at work is essential for a positive and productive environment. They see fun as part of the company's overall mission to foster a creative, dynamic atmosphere where employees are motivated to perform at their best while also enjoying the work they do.