At Running Remote 2024 Polina Dimitrova, the Global Head of People at Make, delivered an insightful session on the transformative power of no-code tools in distributed organizations. With extensive experience in people strategy, operations, and talent management, Polina highlighted how Make is redefining the workplace by leveraging no-code technology to foster creativity and efficiency. Her session provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of remote work and the role of innovative tools in driving success.
The Evolution of Workplaces
Polina began by reflecting on the history of work, from the industrial revolution to today’s digital age. She emphasized that while technology has drastically changed how we work, the fundamental need for innovation and creativity remains constant. “With the tech advancement, the lines between the digital, physical, and biological have really blurred, making it possible for work to be much more widespread, much more decentralized, and distributed,” she noted.
Polina emphasized that moving towards a remote-first model requires more than just technological changes; it necessitates a cultural shift towards autonomy and trust. She cited a study by psychologists Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, highlighting that autonomy is a key driver of motivation and fulfillment. “Going remote first means also people first, trust-heavy mindset,” Polina asserted.
The Power of No-Code Tools
Polina introduced Make as a visual no-code automation platform that connects over 1,700 different applications, enabling them to work seamlessly together. This tool empowers users to create powerful workflows without needing coding skills, thus democratizing the ability to innovate. “Make gives the ability for people to build and create within just a few clicks. They can create powerful scenarios that open a tremendous amount of innovation,” she explained.
Case Studies: Real-World Applications
Polina shared several compelling examples of how companies have successfully utilized Make:
- Finn: A Munich-based car subscription company that achieved a 90% decrease in manual work and a 93% faster time to market by adopting no-code automation. Finn’s entire business is based on automation, which has allowed their programming team to focus on more valuable tasks rather than repetitive ones.
- Jellysmack: This social media company uses Make to streamline content creation and distribution. By implementing no-code automation, Jellysmack reduced the time required for manual efforts from two weeks to just 10 seconds, significantly enhancing their efficiency in the fast-paced social media landscape.
- TeleClinic: A rapidly growing startup in Europe that revolutionized its medical care services through Make. By automating workflows and ensuring GDPR compliance, TeleClinic was able to manage a forecasted 38 headcount growth with just four people, demonstrating the profound impact of no-code tools on operational scalability.
“If you think about the combination of the right mindset and the tools so you can give empowerment to people, then that’s a transformative formula to success.” — Polina Dimitrova
Practical Strategies for Distributed Work
Polina outlined practical strategies for successfully navigating the future of distributed work:
- Embrace Change: Organizations need to be adaptable and open to continuous change, leveraging technology to foster innovation.
- Promote Autonomy: Empower employees by giving them the freedom to make decisions and drive their own processes, which enhances engagement and productivity.
- Foster a Collaborative Environment: Create a culture that encourages teamwork, inclusivity, and creativity, enabling employees to thrive in a distributed setting.
We’re just getting warmed up
Polina highlighted the transformative potential of no-code tools in distributed organizations. By embracing innovative technologies and fostering a culture of autonomy and trust, companies can unlock new levels of creativity and efficiency.
“Going remote is just the warm-up for what the future relationships between employers and employees, business, and people would look like.“
Let us know your takeaways from this session in the comments section below!
Make allows people and teams across an organization to design, build, and automate any solution—from processes and systems to operations and applications—all in one secure, visual platform. Enterprises around the world use Make to unify systems, unlock cross-team visibility, and democratize innovation to scale their organization at maximum agility.
