What does Fikalab mean to you? Each of Critical Software’s offices has one. And they are the perfect opportunity to let your imagination run free! From ‘fika’, the Swedish term for a coffee and cake break, Fikalab welcomes the most curious and inventive minds.
In the year NASA confirmed their discovery of one of the oldest known exoplanets (PSR B1620-26 b), we became the first Iberian company to receive the renowned ISO 9001:2000 TickIT quality certification, proving our commitment to making the world a safer place. 2003 was, for us, yet another launchpad to success. Our certification that year has opened the door to new certifications and awards, as well as a new and improved building for our headquarters in Coimbra – which remains our home today! 🙂
We’re going to (well, near) Venus! 🚀 The European Space Agency has announced that, today and tomorrow, Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo will approach Venus, making history with two flybys just 33 hours apart! Critical is proud to have been involved in the development of both the Solar Orbiter spacecraft and BepiColombo probes. That’s truly out of this world!
Happy customers make us proud! 👏 It feels great to be recognised when we do the things we love most. Thank you, Irish Coast Guard, for such kind and generous words! 🎉
Last week, a group of students taking part in ‘Companhia do Estudo’ got a big surprise from their mentors! To mark the end of the school year, mentors involved in our study support programme for children decided to plan an unforgettable moment for the kids. What they thought was a picnic turned out to be a flight high above Coimbra! They were certainly flying high with excitement! Thank you ‘Companhia do Estudo’ for this memorable experience!
We are now a Certified B Corporation! 🎉 B Corps are purpose-driven companies using their power to build a more sustainable world, ensuring that business is a force for good. We join over 4,000 companies globally with B Corp status, including renowned international brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Danone and WeTransfer. B Corp certification reflects our commitment to help build a safe, inclusive and sustainable world. Want to know more? Click here: https://www.criticalsoftware.com/en/our-world/certified-b-corporation
Both people and organisations are changing the way they work and innovative ideas are now the heart of the future of work. We’re already taking the first steps towards this era of change, focusing on our people-centered mindset and positive experiences in the workplace. Covid-19 has made a massive impact on where and how people do their jobs, forcing many of us to work remotely and fit work in around our day-to-day routines. But it’s more than that. Organisations are realising that people sit at the heart of their success. It’s more important than ever to make sure that people have the flexibility to work in a way that suits them. We spoke to our Head of Facility Management, Miguel Valério, to find out his views on working models for companies like ours and the challenges they bring to the workplace. 👉 Read more below.
Back in March, we launched the ‘Companhia do Estudo’ programme – and now the pilot has finished, we can safely say it was a great success! 🤩 Companhia do Estudo aims to guide and inspire children from disadvantaged backgrounds to do well at school. Since March, we’ve helped 32 children in five different districts in Portugal, thanks to 30 volunteers from the Critical family with a great desire to make a difference. That’s not all! After the success of this trial, 'Companhia do Estudo' will be back next academic year to help even more children succeed at school. Marta Ávila is a Senior Project Manager at Critical and the first person to enrol to become a Companhia do Estudo mentor. Read Marta’s testimonial about the initiative here: https://www.criticalsoftware.com/en/news/study-support-programme-for-children
No matter what phase of your career you’re in, having the support of a mentor at work will help to make your journey easier. How? By taking a sip of the magic potion of guidance! At Critical, we've set up the Mentorship programme, ensuring employees have someone to help them interpret feedback, assess performance, and encourage them to pursue their career aspirations. Keen to know our tips on how to get the mentor of your dreams? Read more in our most recent blog post.
Being happy, inspired and motivated at the office (or at home if, like most of us, you’re currently working remotely) are just some things that make up the perfect job. Culture plays a big part in this. But knowing what kind of company culture fits your personality and goals can be unclear at times. Want to know more about the kind of company culture that’s right for you? Grab a pen and paper and read our blog post on finding the perfect cultural fit!
