video podcast “From the backlog” from red_mad_robot and Alfa Digital


We are trying to understand how to start living not only a working life and whether corporate culture is so important in 2023. The guest of the issue is Artur Vasilov, head of mobile development of Yandex and Yandex Browser applications.


Backlog is a video podcast that makes Alfa Digital. From the second season, we, red_mad_robot, joined them. Together we discuss topics that excite and worry everyone, but for some reason are always postponed until later. Hosted by red_mad_robot art director Polya Luz and SRO Growth Hacking from Alfa Digital Kirill Vikentiev.

You can watch the full episode in the video, and below we have collected the main thoughts from this conversation.

Don’t be afraid to fall behind and be able to enjoy

Despite the fact that the term FOMO (from the English fear of missing out, the fear of missing out on something interesting) was introduced in 2004 by venture capitalist Patrick McGinnis and in this area it looks quite logical and reasonable, FOMO soon spread to other areas of human life.

In IT, for many, this is perceived as a fear of falling behind some modern technologies. You work quietly, then you come home to rest and you understand that everyone else at this time, instead of rest, is engaged in some kind of pet projects. And you feel left behind. We often see people who seem cool and progressive to us – they post stories about how they worked, spoke at a conference, went for a run, raised three children, went to Venice … And we begin to think that something is wrong with us. But not a single person will post in stories how he just worked all day, got exhausted, came home and lies.

Artur Vasilov, head of mobile app development for Yandex and Yandex Browser

At the same time, the FOMO effect was strongly influenced by the trend towards remote work – the line between work and personal time has noticeably blurred, which is why the notorious work-life balance has become even more illusory.

At a distance, even if you go somewhere, you always have a laptop with you, a computer is always at hand at home, work mail is on your phone. You can switch at any time, because of which the very concept of the word “switch” is lost. I am now in a period where I do not even separate work and personal.

Kirill Vikentiev, SRO Growth Hacking Alfa Digital

In contrast to FOMO, Kirill proposes to put JOMO (from the English joy of missing out) – enjoying what you are doing in the moment, without worrying about what others are doing at that time.

I’m trying to see if the FOMO effect can somehow be correlated with emotional swings. After all, when you work with burning eyes, you don’t think that you are missing something in this life. You are passionate about what drives you right now. For example, your friends went to hang out, and at the same time you are working on an interesting task. And in general, you do not worry that they went without you. And if at this moment you are busy with some routine things, there are feelings that you are missing something.

Kirill Vikentiev, SRO Growth Hacking Alfa Digital

However, Polya notes that there are times when, when they refuse to go with friends, they begin to make claims for the fact that you decided to devote time not to them, but to work tasks – and then this expressed indignation and misunderstanding becomes even worse. But Arthur hurries to calm her down.

We are constantly faced with oppressive opinions from acquaintances, parents or society as a whole. You can’t get away from this situation. Here everything is solved quite simply – it’s like the ability to say no and not feel guilty at the same time, the ability not to depend on public opinion and understand what you need right now. I admit that it sounds like “If you are sad, don’t be sad,” and it doesn’t really work that way. But work often takes as much time as it is allowed to. If a person lives in the paradigm “I can’t leave work early or take a vacation, because without me everything will fall apart”, then it’s worth overpowering yourself a couple of times and trying to do this, and he will understand that the disaster did not happen from this. The fact that you left at six on Friday, and did not code until midnight, no one died. Moreover, when you come on Monday, you are much more likely to finish everything better there.

Artur Vasilov, head of mobile app development for Yandex and Yandex Browser

It is not news that many companies have switched to a hybrid mode of operation due to the coronavirus – and have remained so. A person who works from home and sees colleagues only in the windows of a webcam may get the impression that those guys who already go to the office have a brighter and richer work life: they easily communicate with each other not only on work topics and amicably drink coffee during breaks. And all this passes him by. But Polya is sure that you should not be upset because of this.

At work, my department and I once built a house out of boxes for a peppy playlist. And at the same time, they managed to complete the tasks. And for those people who at that moment worked remotely, I think this was not a problem – at that time they gathered in their own circle. Moreover, the people who were in the office could be jealous of the telecommuters who were then in Bali or somewhere else.

Paula Luz, art director red_mad_robot

Speak openly and ask for help in a timely manner

Arthur believes that corporate culture is the general patterns of behavior, processes and actions of the company that distinguish it from others and thereby make it unique. Therefore, corporate culture can act as a tool of retention and motivation.

If your company is no different from other companies, then perhaps any other company will be no less interesting. If you don’t feel some kind of common connection with what you do, with those with whom you do it, then it’s frustrating. Feeling this connection while in the office is easy. But remote work is problematic, especially when most of the company’s employees work in this format.

Artur Vasilov, head of mobile app development for Yandex and Yandex Browser

At the same time, according to the guest, a more advantageous concept is when the corporate culture is naturally transmitted from employee to employee, and not carved in marble and implanted from above. Because in this case, it can also be felt by a person who initially came to work remotely and has never been in the office.

If we talk about development, then it will be a culture of some accepted processes, for example, coordination. Somewhere you need to get five approvals in writing, somewhere a couple of messages in work chats are enough. This is also part of the corporate culture, and anyone can feel it. Another thing is that it is more difficult to feel some special atmosphere of the office while working remotely, to participate in some traditions like table tennis on Fridays.

Artur Vasilov, head of mobile app development for Yandex and Yandex Browser

Both the presenters and the guest of the podcast work for different companies. Despite this, talking about the main elements of corporate culture, first of all, each of them remembered the culture of open dialogue.

With us you can talk with any person on an equal footing. Come up with some question or suggestion and look for balance points together. And all this without regard to regalia, without referring to “you”.

Paula Luz, art director red_mad_robot

But not everything can be so perfect everywhere. It happens that some elements of the corporate culture of a particular company may run counter to the characteristics of a particular employee. For example, somewhere in the corporate culture it is a rule to come to the office at ten in the morning and not a minute later.

The company wants every employee to be as cool and productive as possible, right? And if she can help him with his problems, then why not help so that the employee brings more benefits to the business? Or, for example, these problems may not have arisen in the first place if they have arisen due to a very aggressive corporate culture in terms of work. This does not mean that you need to adjust the culture for each individual. It is necessary to initially build a culture so that everyone is comfortable, or over time, if necessary, improve it and modify it.

Artur Vasilov, head of mobile app development for Yandex and Yandex Browser

A particular employee may not be able to cope with their work tasks for various reasons: they may have hired the wrong person or they may have been overloaded with too many tasks. Therefore, changing the culture for one person is a hasty decision. But if, in the conditions of an established corporate culture, many people in the company “do not take out”, this is really an occasion to think about its revision and updating.

When working, a person may develop fear that will affect personal effectiveness. Over time, it will become critical, will affect self-esteem. A person will begin to think that he is developing in the wrong direction, he cannot rest, he does not have time to do at work what others do. Probably, his motivation will disappear, he will go to a psychotherapist, and then he will rent a summer house and sit there and think that he is not succeeding. And the people who are responsible for corporate culture in the company should look after employees and take an interest in their condition in time. If you see that your employee is burning out or upset about something, then if you have a culture of open dialogue, you can tell him: “Relax today, finish it tomorrow. We will catch up, there is no need to be afraid. And he will calmly leave, he will not have the feeling that everything will go to hell, because he dropped out of the work process. This is a matter of trust in the team and the individual employee.

Paula Luz, art director red_mad_robot

According to Kirill, in cases where an employee encounters difficulties, it is important to talk to him. It can be one-on-one, or you can introduce a culture of “nyting” – when people regularly gather online and talk about their problems to a person who plays the role of a “bartender”. Talking about your own situation and familiarizing yourself with the complexities of colleagues allows you to feel togetherness and cheer up.


Please note that you can watch the entire episode. link. And subscribe to the channel!

What do you think about FOMO and corporate culture in the remote era? Tell us in the comments how it works in your company.

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