How 3Q/DEPT’s Culture Accepts No Limits
Published: July 25, 2022
Author: Rob Murray
When DEPT and 3Q Digital joined forces earlier this year, there was a big focus on ensuring the company cultures were perfectly aligned. We asked DEPT CEO, Dimi Albers and 3Q/DEPT CEO, Rob Murray to explain how the two company cultures match up and why this was a good fit.
1. How would you describe the culture at 3Q/DEPT? Why does our culture stand above other companies?
Dimi: DEPT® is big enough to cope, and small enough to care. It is a place where people have the opportunity to grow their skills and create some of the best work of their lives, while having a lot of fun and building relationships that last a lifetime.
We’re humble, but also proud. We believe change is constant, so it is worth chasing your dreams. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, have as little hierarchy as possible, and don’t accept any *sshole behavior because we care deeply about our people.
Rob: 3Q is a values-led organization. It is our people and our spirit that drives us. We have a caring focus that is rooted in our values. Our focus on our employees and the communities that we live in, combined with our focus on our DEIB programs, truly separates us from other digital agencies. I have never been at a company that lived its values so genuinely.
2. Can you give us some specific examples on how 3Q/DEPT employees have accepted no limits?
Dimi: In 2021, DEPT® became the first global digital agency in the world to become a certified B Corporation. This was only possible through the hard work of 45 Depsters across offices around the world. They did something that no other global agency was able to do. That qualifies as accepting no limits to me!
Rob: We recently started a new non-profit ERG, Allies for Action. This group of employees work to support organizations that we can quickly help grow by offering pro bono growth marketing and digital media services. Also, last year, $6,145 was donated directly by 3Q employees to support our friends and partners, Ripe Concepts employees, affected by Typhoon Rai.
3. How have we accepted no limits when standing for social justice? How have we ensured we promote a safe and equitable space where everyone belongs and can grow their career?
Dimi: We do a host of different things to ensure DEPT® is a place where everyone can thrive. Examples are:
- Only 4 years ago we had over 70% male employees. Today, less than 51% of our Depsters identify as male.
- Our global executive team is comprised of people from diverse genders, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and nationalities, showing leadership by example.
- A recent Great Place To Work survey in our second largest market scored us as follows:
- 100% of Depsters are treated fairly regardless of their sexual orientation.
- 99% of Depsters feel this is a physically safe place to work.
- 98% of Depsters feel treated fairly regardless of their race.
Rob: We have six ERGs set up to help drive psychological safety and belonging at 3Q/DEPT. In addition to offering affinity and community internally, the ERGs also work to help underrepresented communities. We have made public commitments to DEIB to ensure everyone can be their true selves at 3Q/DEPT, and we publish our statistics on this publicly to hold ourselves accountable.
4. What are some ways the company has contributed (and plans to contribute) to better environmental practices (e.g., BCorp, volunteering, etc.)?
Rob: We’re really excited to get back to fostering our in-person 3Q3% efforts. Since the start of the pandemic, we have had to participate in virtual events and spirit “competitions” which benefit specific charities. We have also made monetary donations to many organizations, including Lambda Legal, Liberty in North Korea, The Trevor Project, US Holocaust Memorial Museum, Stop AAPI Hate, The Brady Campaign, Rainbows For All Children, and Black and Missing Foundation, among others.
Dimi: In addition to becoming B Corp certified, we also became a Climate Neutral certified company in 2021. This means that we did everything needed to ensure that we are carbon neutral. From green energy and our own solar panels to vegetarian lunches and registering our carbon footprint, we are taking steps to offset the carbon footprint we produce. In addition, we allocate 1% of our company’s profits to corporate social responsibility initiatives.
But we believe that we can make the biggest difference in the work we do for our clients. Projects that make an impact, because we are able to bring digital, tech, and marketing together with a good cause. So whether that’s developing Patagonia’s next-level commerce experience, helping put disability inclusion in the spotlight for the World Health Organization, or creating a pioneering approach to teaching the sign language alphabet with Fingerspelling, we’re on it!
Want to learn more about our culture at 3Q/DEPT? Check out our available opportunities.
