Hopp Schwiiz - Company retreat V4

As an open source organization with strong community roots, we want to ensure that the care, intention, and nurturing that we pour into our product is also reflected within our team. Back in May of 2023, we held our first retreat, taking initial steps towards becoming a fully remote, global company. Fast forward to November 2024, we’ve grown from a small unit to a team of almost 20 fully distributed professionals across the globe. Along the way, we’ve made meaningful strides towards curating a strong sense of belonging while cultivating our remote work culture. Our efforts really come to life at our biannual off-sites where we’re all able to reconnect in person. Off-sites are one of many ongoing cultural rituals that allow us to work on the four Cs: Collaboration, communication, connection, and . . . carbs (yes, seriously — stay with me, more on this in a second).

Pre-Arrival

Three days before everyone was set to fly out, we found ourselves needing to make a 1000+ kilometer change to our plans (we originally planned to go to Valencia, Spain). With time against us, we had to quickly rebook flights, shift the location of our activities and accommodations — all of this in less than 1 week. With some team members up to 8000 km away, this last-minute change really tested our ability to be communicative and adaptable. (In hindsight, this felt like an almost impossible task but we did it!)

Despite this being a logistical nightmare & having tight timelines, we were really able to come together as a team and push this through to success on such short notice. Adding on to a whirlwind of a week, illnesses, personal emergencies, and hurdles popped up that threatened to fully derail our upcoming trip. What could have been the end of our plans gave us an opportunity to show how far we’ve come as a remote-first team. We were operating like a well-oiled machine—leadership quickly went to work preparing a compact action plan, while team members supported each other with rebooking flights and figuring out how to navigate locally. From the warm, sunny coastlines we planned to visit to the cool, cozy vibes of Zurich - the chaos gave us the opportunity to not only show resilience through challenging circumstances but also our ability to adapt and thrive together.

Arrivals

With our travel toils behind us, we began our journey to Zurich. For those already stationed in Switzerland, getting to Zurich wasn’t too much of a hassle. For others, it meant 20+ hours of travel - an experience best summarized as "amazing, spectacular, 10/10, would do again". Can you hear the sarcasm? The excitement to meet our co-workers in person surpassed the jet lag & weariness with all of us finally uniting in the evening. With early arrivals already at the hotel and others still on the way, a smaller group of us met near the opera house, where the view of the water at sunset provided a stunning backdrop for some great photos. We all quickly caught up (and met some new teammates!) before continuing on a short walk to the jazzy, goat-themed Widder Bar where the rest of team Zitadel joined us.

Light banter, warm introductions, and plenty of jokes set the tone for our evening as we made our way to Raclette Stube. We all ate to our heart's content - with some of us experiencing raclette for the first time and others opting for the very classic fondue. After the night's festivities, most of us felt like we turned into a ball of cheese.

That first evening together melted away the strain of those last minute changes, leaving us recharged & ready to dive head first into the rest of a very promising retreat.

Activities & Exploration

After we settled in, our retreat really started on day 2 with a series of workshops led by some of our incredible internal subject matter experts. Our new product marketing manager, Jim, opened up our sessions with an engaging discussion around our documentation and how it is crucial to your (yes, you, dear reader) Zitadel experience. Following Jim, our head of sales, Jason, broke down the sales process for our engineering team - delving into our processes, how we map customer needs while giving us a quick overview of negotiation tactics, and relationship building.

Next, Silvan and Max came in with well crafted & informative workshops focused on engineering. Silvan, through a hilarious presentation, provided much needed insights into Zitadel’s performance and detailed next steps on how we plan to improve it. Max gave a detailed overview of the new Typescript login, its implementation, and how it fits into creating an exceptional user experience. Our workshop series ended with our CEO, Florian, breaking down venture capital and offering a clear picture of where we currently are as a company (check out our latest funding announcement!)

With our workshops wrapped up, we took a casual stroll through Zurich that included us raiding Migros and Coop (a Swiss rite of passage). We tested our limits with an “intense” hike (spoiler: some of us fumbled on the beginner trail and felt winded at the end of it). The stunning views, adorable cows, and fresh air made every step of that hike worth it.

In the days that followed, we explored Lucerne where some of us shopped for souvenirs, crossed Kapellbrücke (with Florian providing important historical context), and wrapped up that day with a breathtaking ride up Pilatus. Of course, more souvenirs were added to our suitcases by the end of that Lucerne day trip.

We can't forget to mention one of the most delicious parts of our trip: our visit to the Lindt chocolate factory. We experienced (and ate) a key piece of Swiss history, with some of it ending up in our jackets & bags at the end of the day.

Wrapping Up

This was a trip filled with fresh energy, joy, collaboration, and a reinforced sense of belonging. We all had the chance to strengthen our existing relationships (and build new ones!) - From celebrating promotions, to learning through in-depth internal workshops, and getting a thorough workout in Zurich - This trip was a memorable experience that left us all inspired and more than excited to continue growing.

💜 Here are some staff quotes from the trip:

"Our team retreat in Zurich was fantastic! It was refreshing to connect with everyone on a personal level. My highlight was those late-night Magic the Gathering sessions with Jim and Stefan – it had been 10 years since I'd played, and the competitive spirit with plenty of laughs was the perfect way to unwind and bond! Beyond the fun, it was inspiring to see how strong our company culture has become. As a remote company, these connections are crucial, and it's clear that even with the team nearly doubling in size, newcomers feel welcomed and supported. That creates such a positive and productive environment, no matter where we're working from. I can't wait for our next retreat!" -Florian Forster, CEO

“It was great to show everyone our beautiful country and where the whole story of Zitadel started. I always love to explore something unique for the place we visit, and the Home of Chocolate was just amazing. Even if it was waaaay too much chocolate. :) Getting to know everyone in person is always my favorite part of the team retreat, and I am sure this makes a big difference for our daily remote work.” -Fabienne Bühler, CPO

“It was a lovely offsite that hit all the points you hope for out of a team coming together, from long term strategy discussions to rapport building amongst the crew. It’s exciting to have a strong alignment closing out 2024 and going into 2025!” -Jim Morrison, Product Marketing Manager

“The Zurich retreat was an extraordinary experience, one that will forever be etched in my memory. To gather with colleagues from across the globe, to see familiar faces, and meet new ones, was truly inspiring. The days were filled with insightful discussions, thought-provoking presentations, and collaborative problem-solving. Yet, the moments outside of the formal agenda also truly resonated with me. The casual conversations, the shared laughter, the late-night card games with Magic the Gathering– these were the moments that forged deeper bonds and strengthened our team. The opportunity to explore the beauty of Switzerland was an added bonus. Whether it was a leisurely stroll through the city or a breathtaking hike in the mountains, each excursion offered a chance to unwind, recharge, and appreciate the simple joys of life. I’m incredibly grateful for the experience and can’t wait to reconnect with my colleagues at the next retreat.” -Stefan Benz, Software Engineer

"I cherished the in-person conversations and unforgettable moments with these amazing people. The presentations, even though they were in the morning, were a valuable source of knowledge about others' work, making this retreat a truly unique experience." -Silvan Reusser, Software Engineer