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オフィス訪問: Drivemode日本支社様 / Visit to client’s office: Drivemode

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新宿エリアのリノベーションオフィスから世界へ向けたプロダクトを発信 / Developping a global product from a renovated office in Shinjuku
スタッフの岡本です。
世界累計100万DLを超える、運転中にスマートフォンの基本的な操作ができるインターフェースを提供するアプリ「Drivemode」を開発するDrivemode日本支社様の新オフィスにお邪魔しました。
 
本社はシリコンバレーにあり、日本支社での活動も3年目。今回の移転は業容拡大に伴い、より広く、より自分達らしく働ける環境を求めてのことでした。
この春からは世界有数の自動車産業サプライヤーであるパナソニックとパートナーシップを結び、さらなる展開を準備中。
こだわりのオフィスを訪問し、成長企業のワークプレイスと新オフィスで求める人材についてお話を伺いました。
 
This is Okamoto.
I recently visited the Tokyo office of Drivemode, which provides a mobile app for drivers that allows users to use smartphone basic features safely. The app has well beyond 1 million downloads from more than 180 countries, and the company is recognized as a leader in the connected car field.
 
Drivemode is headquartered in Silicon Valley, and its engineering function is 100% in Tokyo. That makes Drivemode the only option for the engineers in Tokyo aspiring to work at a Silicon Valley-based early stage startup. The Tokyo office has been operating for the past three years, and it recently relocated to a convenient location in Shinjuku in order to expand the team.
 
The company is performing strong, recently closing Series A and announcing a partnership with Panasonic, the world’s biggest automotive supplier, and the two are working on global solutions that combines Drivemode’s strength in mobile application and driving data, and Panasonic’s strength in in-car hardware.
 
I had an opportunity to visit their unique office and learn about their thoughts on their office and hiring strategy.
オフィスに入ると出迎えてくれるのは明るいカラーのコンパクトソファでつくった応接ブース。パケットタイルのフローリングと合わせ、ミッドセンチュリーの雰囲気でまとめられています。
Once you open the door, colorful sofas in the reception area welcome you.
Matched against the packet tile flooring, the space comes together with a mid-century atmosphere.
さりげなくクッションはロゴ入り。訪れた人の印象に残りそうな可愛らしいアイテムです。
Even cushions have some personality, with the company logo on them. These items surely leave a positive, playful impression on visitors.
自分達らしく働けるオフィスデザインを求めて / In search of an office that embodies their culture
物件は87㎡。天井が抜かれて開放感があります。
オフィス選びの際は、このビンテージ感ある空間が決め手になりました。メインのワークスペースは40㎡ほどで、8名が並んで働ける広さです。仕事を共有しつつ、個人作業にも集中できそうな程よい距離感ですね。
壁にはロードバイクや海賊旗など、遊び心も忘れません。オフィス移転まもなく3名の採用が決定し、空間が人材確保にも貢献している模様。
 
The property spans 87 sq meters. However, with the ceiling having been taken out, the office looks more spaciousness than that.
This vintage feeling was a deciding factor of selecting the office. The main workspace has 40 sq meters, allowing for eight people to work alongside each other. This gives the right balance between working together and focusing on individual projects.
The playful cultural influence from Silicon Valley is everywhere, as seen in various items, such as road bike and pirate flag. The office’s positive and playful atmosphere immediately attracted recruiting candidates, and the first 3 open positions were immediately filled after their relocation.
オフィスの顔になっているのがこちらのアイランドキッチン。社外の方も交えたイベントなども企画中だそう。
The centerpiece of the office is this large island kitchen, which offers various unique benefits. Some members enjoy working there, and the guests enjoy having fun parties there too.
バーカウンターを備え、普段の作業場所としても愛用されているとのこと。
The centerpiece of the office is this large island kitchen, which offers various unique benefits. Some members enjoy working there, and the guests enjoy having fun parties there too.
オフィス内のちょっとした小物もユニークです。オリジナルグッズのマグカップも海外発スタートアップらしいアイテムですね。
Tiny goods placed here and there inside the office look unique too. When I saw the mugs with their colorful logo on them, I thought I was in Silicon Valley!
国際的で風通しの良い企業文化が表現されたミーティング室 / The meeting room represents international and open culture
ミーティング室は大小2室を備えます。8名用の方は遠隔会議システムを組み、常に繋がった状態を作ることで、海外オフィスのメンバーとも連携して働いています。
様々なツールとルールを工夫して、国を越えたリモートワークのあり方を探求する先進的な企業文化が見えました。
 
There are two meeting rooms.  The bigger one is equipped with a video conference system, and what’s unique about it is it is connected live with the Silicon Valley team all the time. I can see this particular setup plays a key role connecting two offices live, helping their two offices function as “one team”. I was fascinated by the feeling I had when I could easily say hi to the Silicon Valley team.  
I am sure a lot of thoughts and efforts went into integrating cross-border offices, and it takes a lot of tools, rules and processes to unite the team.
日本支社代表のJoãoさん、エンジニアの平田さんにお話を伺いました。
本社にいたCEOの古賀さんもモニター越しに飛び入り参加して頂き、風通しの良さやフラットさも体験できるインタビューとなりました。
 
I talked with João, the head of the Tokyo office, and Hirata-san, its senior engineer.
While I was casually talking with them, CEO Koga-san, working in Silicon Valley, occasionally jumped in our meeting from the screen, joking about how the Tokyo team did not consult with him selecting the new office. Throughout the interview, I was amazed by how open and flat the company was. Talking to CEO even in the same office can’t be this casual in Japan!
新たなオフィスで求める人材とは / Recruiting top engineers with global mindset
「現在はハードウェアメーカーやデータサプライヤーをパートナーとして、新しいチームを編成しています。アプリ内でユーザに新しいサービスを提供していくため、国内外を問わず優秀なAndroidエンジニアを求めています。」
 
日本支社チームは8人中5人が外国人で、みなさん英語で話しています。ブラジル人、台湾人、オランダ人、モンゴル人など、日本にいながら世界から集まったエンジニアと仕事ができる刺激的な環境になっています。
 
「仕事ではビジネスレベルの英語コミュニケーションが必要になりますので、英語のスキルは歓迎です。今英語力に自信がなくても、学習意欲が高い方を求めています。」
 
「このオフィスでも表現されているように、料理やスポーツを楽しむ遊び心ある企業文化にも親しんで欲しいですね。」
 
企業としてのスケールや人数に合わせ、自分達らしいオフィスづくりに成功したDrivemode日本支社様。新しい仲間を迎え、更なる展開への準備も万全なようです。
 
詳細な求人情報はこちらからどうぞ
 
“We are hiring various types of engineers, currently with some emphasis on Android Engineers. Also, we are working with hardware integrations with IoT devices, and broad knowledge is highly appreciated,” said João.
“Most previous hires are current residents in Japan, but we are open to relocate top talents from all over the world. We are very international anyway.”
 
In fact, 5 out of 8 engineers in the Tokyo Office are non-Japanese, and everyone communicates in English, although most of them are not native speakers. It looks like everyone enjoys working with co-workers from all over the world, such as Brazil, Taiwan, Netherlands, Mongolia and Japan.  They also enjoy learning English and Japanese as well.
 
“In our office, everybody is different, and we respect the difference. If you recently came to Japan and don’t speak Japanese you are not alone. We also want to make sure to support talented foreign engineers have great and comfortable time in Japan and build successful carrier. Of course, professional level English is important, but we prioritize engineering skills and passion to learn over the current language skill level.”
 
“This office embodies our playful corporate culture. We are looking for new candidates who enjoy not only working, but also cooking and playing sports,” João summarized.
 
Drivemode has been successful in setting up a very unique office that fits with their culture and growing team size. With new members joining all the time, Drivemode seems to be one of the most exciting workplaces in Tokyo, especially if you are interested in startups.
 
For further position offer information, please click here.
 
翻訳協力:Rikako Iida
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SOHOオフィスのファインディング、コンテンツ制作、リーシングを担当。 長野県生まれ。信州大学経済学部卒業後、リクルート、ベンチャーを経て当社へ。趣味は料理、テニス。フルマラソンはサブ4ランナー。不定期開催の社内パーティーでは料理長を務める一面も。

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