I will never forget my first day working for DNN. It was Friday the 13th and I was nervous and unsure of what my new job would entail. I came in to the office, was shown my desk and introduced to the other staff. People seemed happy to meet me and were already joking around with me that day!

Pictured: No, this was NOT my Day 1 outfit at DNN.

It was much more laid back and real than I had ever expected. Then my boss said that we needed to pick something up from downtown Vancouver and go to IKEA. It was such a treat to get out and do things! We spent the whole workday doing errands for the office and had lunch in downtown Vancouver. Get paid to do errands? Sounds great to me.

DNN Values

Pictured: Time for a snack!

This is a workplace where I feel I am encouraged to express myself and contribute in any way I can. I am provided with all sorts of snacks and fun activities (I also do some of the providing). I've had adventures with my co-workers and expanded my comfort zone, doing things I would never have tried on my own.

Pictured: Adventures in rafting!

DNN wants me to be a happy, productive and comfortable worker. They provide me with things to improve my work life such as a specific keyboard I like, as well as things to improve my general happiness like game consoles (stocked with games to play during breaks or Friday afternoons).

DNN also provides me with the freedom to use my time in the way I feel is best. If I'm stuck on a project, I can take a break from it. 

I can go for a walk outside, play with the basketballs or grab a snack from the massive variety we are provided with. 

DNN does not expect us to be robots, simply producing until we wear out. They understand our humanity and encourage us to socialize. They encourage us to play!

A Culture of Collaboration

The team working here at DNN are all knowledgeable and passionate. They truly care about what they are creating. There can be everything from a high five to a heated debate going on at once. We are all working on a common goal and it shows.

It’s very rare for everyone to be sitting at their own computer, there is always collaboration going on somewhere. There is a constant buzz of people exchanging ideas and helping each other. We are all very different people and that is recognized as well.

We are not only encouraged to work on problems together but also learn from each other’s differences and experiences. We are encouraged to ask for other people’s views and give ours when it’s needed. Our individuality is not only accepted but nurtured.

Work Hard, Play Hard

DNN works hard, but we also play hard. In the short time I’ve been here, we have gone white water rafting, raced other employees (and the CEO!) on high powered go-karts and had parties high above the city. We have had laid-back BBQ’s and dress-up days.

Pictured: One of my favorite days of the year, Halloween.

Whatever we do, we are encouraged to have fun with our co-workers. 

As a team, we love to go outside our comfort zone and get some adrenaline running! Trying to coordinate with three of your co-workers to dance in sync playing ‘Just Dance’ or ending up gasping for air as you play Wii Boxing really makes for great laughs.

Global Communications

Having our office (in Canada) certainly makes for some logistical challenges when communicating with colleagues at our headquarters in Northern California. Thanks to VoIP phones and webcams though, we are no more than one button push away from meeting virtually with anyone.

We also have teams peppered around the globe that may be twelve hours different in time but are working with you to make DNN great. It’s amazing to see such collaboration with so many people from such different countries, all talking to each other with such passion for a project. It may be early morning for us and late night for someone else but we all get together with DNN in mind

Conclusion

Happy New Year! I’m excited for the DNN to come in 2014. I really hope it continues along the path of both caring for the employees as well as the product. The excitement over a new release is palatable and the events bring a spark of life to the office environment.

From where I stand, I see a company that is passionate and driven about what we create. I also see a company that genuinely cares about the people within it. I am proud to be a part of DNN.

Careers at DNN

Interested in joining Team DNN? Visit our Careers page for more information.