Learning how to code — part of being a tech company, a tool for digital integration, a benefit, or an unavoidable necessity?
By: Ekaterina Schneider
Tags: Innovation, Culture, Coding, Technology, Codingbootcamp

Learning how to code — part of being a tech company, a tool for digital integration, a benefit, or an unavoidable necessity?

The most heard question in 2019 — “We want to become a tech company”, “How to become a tech company”, “What do we need to become a tech company?”

From event to event, from workshop to workshop it kept on following me, trying to understand and analyze what does it mean to be a tech company? Bringing own software to the market? Getting bigger, faster, stronger or perhaps being more “disruptive” (it is about the time to stop saying disruptive to everything).

For me — being a tech company is more than technology. Being a tech company is a mindset. The mindset that enables us to see and take advantage of the opportunities that technology presents.

It is about inspiring others to try out new things, coming out of their comfort zone, getting rid of siloed thinking, taking the fear away and getting everyone ready to be a part of the process: digitalization, digitization, digital transformation or a healthy mix of all — you name it…

So, how can we help employees to use and maximize the power of technology and get closer to the tech-company mindset?

How can we create an environment in which employees feel challenged, motivated and engaged?

How can we armor them with the knowledge and know-how and help them to become more tech-savvy?

Should everyone learn how to code?

I would say No! But I think everybody should be given the chance to get a rough idea, an introduction, and an opportunity to touch and feel it, to understand the co-relation and the processes behind it.

And the earlier the better (read here about Junior Lab and why I am so wholehearted about this).

One of the key advantages that come with coding is a completely new way of thinking. It teaches you how to use logic, how to become determined and persistent with starting over and over again, before finding a perfect solution. This critical approach to problem-solving can be applied to non-computer related problems. Almost in everything you do.

As technology progresses, every day new tools are being introduced, some of which can only be accessed through some basic codes. Understanding these and not fainting after seeing the lines of code will give you a competitive advantage.

Coding Camp for beginners — our journey…

We have introduced this format in July 2019. We´ve started our Journey together with Ironhack, a well-known Berlin-based Coding Bootcamp. An opportunity for the colleagues of Axel Springer Group to enter the world of coding, to become familiar with the programming essentials, to explore the basics of HTML / CSS, and as a highlight by the end of the camp, to program their own landing page.

Yeah!

The workshop was booked out within an hour, leaving us on one side with a wonderful bunch of colleagues, thriving for knowledge, on another with an endless waiting list, confirming that the direction is right.

During this two-day workshop, we had such a cool and versatile group of colleagues, with different backgrounds and different needs. After quite an extensive bulk of theory and a lot of hands-on coding, every participant left home with a self-made website and a feeling of great and emotionally rewarding achievement.

Next Step was a joint event with ngGirls, an Israeli based non-profit organization that aims to introduce women to the world of technology and increase diversity.

It was amazing to see how many women from different Axel Springer entities have joined us with such an exemplary thrive for knowledge. Even though “Angular” (a TypeScript-based open-source web application) was not easiest to start with, yet, everyone had a great time. It was amazing to see so women, who were keen on learning something and coming out of their comfort zone.

We have targeted 20 participants but ended up with 80 — a great recognition that our instincts were right again and the time for it is NOW, if not yesterday.

Our internal knowledge is our biggest asset…

And not only an asset, but also a competitive advantage and the most important intangible resource of our company.

If you are about to buy-in the knowledge, stop and look around, maybe what you are looking for is just a few steps away, in the neighboring office.

That´s why our next step was looking at the internal resources. We are diverse, we are versatile and innovative. We do have an entrepreneurial spirit and I was delighted to have AS Ideas Engineering on my side. AS Ideas Engineering is indeed the innovation engine that fuels Axel Springer and helps the company to grow organically and become a real tech company (here we go again 😊).

Our first workshop in 2020

It is truly a bunch of open-minded, creative and curious people, whose everyday life is all about coding, innovation and exploring new technologies.

We did together three coding sessions during the EMPEX festival and additional extended workshops on (HTML/CSS and Javascript).

Here I need to mention!!! Java and JavaScript are two different programming languages and if you mix these in a front of developers — you are at risk of being bitten up. Do not!

Join our workshops and find out the difference. Or google it 😊

Own row diamonds…

It is tough to find and attract the right talents. Demographic change and economic upswing have caused a drastic decline in certain niche skills available on the market. Especially in the tech field.

How can companies prepare themselves for the fight for the best?

Why the never-ending war for talent? And I think we are just at the beginning of this.

What I hear often is that you won’t get a job without having a degree in programming. If you want to learn programming, you must study computer science. Often your CV will not even be considered. A misconception that is still very common. But quite dangerous.

This is another important aspect which I have observed during our coding odyssey, and which has fascinated me, is how many creative, and thirsty for knowledge heads we have within the organization. Striving for perfection, ready to experiment and try new things.

I am constant that it is a gold mine, which needs to be analyzed and scrutinized from every perspective. Before someone else does it. And here we are again — trying to catch the last train.

According to the statistics, on average one will change careers 5–7 times during his / her working life. So why not identifying and turning row diamonds into polished ones within the company and unfolding the full potential?

Jop swap? Maybe. Creating more opportunities and trying new things — sure!

Only a decade ago, computer literacy was not a key requirement in a job interview. Today, regardless of the industry, you are expected you to have quite a fair base to be even considered.

It would be nice to gaze into a crystal ball and to see what to expect in this context, but from what I have experienced in the last years — I am confident that basic coding skills will be a must for a large number of positions.

The bottom line is…

Not everyone should learn to code. But you should!

By this “dipping into the world of coding”, we have an opportunity to develop the essential tech-mindset, which is needed to become a real tech company.

Coding is at the end a language and why the ability to understand this language has never been more important, useful and lucrative as it is today. I think we need to start speaking the same language between the various departments, entities, and divisions. This is our step towards building a culture that doesn’t fear technology but lives it.

It will surely sooner or later become a necessity. The goal is not turning someone into a full-stack developer within two days, but to integrate, engage and empower. This year we will continue with more tech, more coding, more initiatives and for sure even more disruptive :)

The ones who benefit from innovation and change are those who embrace it!

2019 was great — 2020 will be f**cking amazing! Bring it on!