In the midst of the ongoing russian invasion of Ukraine, the resilience of many businesses is being put to the test. Numerous companies face a significant challenge related to ensuring operational efficiency and delivering uninterrupted services to clients. Yet, against these odds, 8allocate, having a large team based in Ukraine, has timely implemented a business continuity strategy that ensured the fulfillment of commitments to our clients.
This article offers a glimpse into the proactive measures and strategies 8allocate has deployed to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. And if you would like to know how we ensured business continuity during winter blackouts, go to this article to learn more on this topic.
Prioritizing Client Needs
As we face the challenges presented by the war, our dedication to meeting the needs of our clients remains at the forefront of our priorities. We understand that clear, constant communication is key in times of uncertainty, and we have made concerted efforts to ensure transparency and availability.
We have been providing regular updates to our clients, keeping them abreast of the situation and our plans. Our communication lines have been open 24/7, ensuring that we are reachable and responsive at all times. For the most critical projects, we have offered additional coverage to guarantee that our high standards of service delivery are maintained.
Recognizing the value of geographical diversification for some clients, we have also provided options in Poland, thereby adding an extra layer of security and stability to our service offerings. This approach reinforced our clients’ confidence in our ability to adapt and cater to their specific needs.
Our proactive approach has strengthened our relationships with our clients, underlining our reliability as a business partner. The proof of this lies in the fact that we have not lost a single client as a result of the ongoing conflict.
Prioritizing Employee Safety
Our strength lies in our people, so their safety is at the core of our resilience plan. We strive to alleviate the stresses our team members might face during these challenging times, reaffirming our commitment to them as a part of the 8allocate family.
Strategically, we have situated our workforce in areas less affected by military actions, specifically in Kyiv and the western regions of Ukraine. Moreover, 8allocate actively supports our employees and their families in their journey to safer areas. Our assistance covers the spectrum of financial requirements associated with such transitions—from transportation costs to accommodation expenses.
Robust Infrastructure
To uphold the pledge of uninterrupted service, 8allocate has invested in building a robust infrastructure.
Our offices in Kyiv and Lviv have been equipped with technology to bolster our connectivity infrastructure. We’ve incorporated Starlink satellite internet service, portable power stations, and multiple internet lines as part of our setup. All this ensured stable and resilient connectivity, which we believe is a lifeline in maintaining business continuity.
Through these investments and strategic planning, we built an infrastructure that enabled our teams to continue delivering high-quality services, no matter what external challenges we faced.
Support of Remote Workspace
To ensure our remote workers could continue to perform their roles effectively outside the office environment, we’ve forged strategic partnerships with coworking spaces. These facilities ensured reliable and high-speed internet connectivity and power sources.
Understanding the challenges of remote work during blackouts, we have also provided our employees with power banks and power stations. These tools ensure that their laptops and devices remain operational even in the event of power disruption.
Through these initiatives, we provided our employees with the tools and resources they needed to continue contributing to the projects they were working on.
Strong Focus on Security
Ukraine has suffered a threefold growth of russian cyberattacks within the past year. So, as cybersecurity risks have unfortunately escalated, we are deeply committed to maintaining the highest level of security to protect both our operations and our clients’ data.
Our security strategy is multi-faceted. All 8allocate team members work on corporate laptops that are secured and encrypted. This gives them the advantage of mobility without compromising the protection of sensitive data.
We leverage secure communication channels to ensure that all exchanges of information are protected from potential threats. Rigorous access controls are in place to strictly regulate who has access to sensitive data to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. We also place great emphasis on the ongoing review and updating of our security policies and procedures.
In addition to that, 8allocate holds an in-house security team. Our experts keep an eye on the internal data points to shield them from outside threats. They also monitor our clients’ assets and data to strengthen our defenses and provide peace of mind to our partners.
Our commitment to security also extends to our data storage practices. All our company data, including sensitive information, is stored in secure cloud environments or EU/US-based data centers, which adhere to strict data protection regulations.
Supporting Employee Well-Being
The ongoing crisis doesn’t just present physical safety and infrastructure challenges. It also puts a considerable strain on mental and emotional well-being. To that end, we have put in place a series of measures aimed at promoting and supporting the emotional and mental aspects of our employees’ experiences.
8allocate facilitates remote work and supports a smooth transition to a home-based work setup through a friendly home/office policy. Additionally, we ensure access to coworking spaces for those who may find it challenging to work from home, either due to space constraints or the need for a more structured work environment.
Group and individual sessions with a psychologist, workshops, and other events centered on well-being are also a part of our strategy for arranging a relaxed environment for our team members.
Physical health is an integral facet of our holistic approach to employee well-being at 8allocate. We offer compensation for gym memberships and sports club fees, making it easier for our employees to incorporate regular exercise into their routines. In addition to this, we also organize sporting events for our teams. These gatherings not only promote physical fitness but also foster team spirit, offering a much-needed break from the challenging times we are currently navigating.
Expanded the team in Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria
A year before the onset of the full-scale invasion, 8allocate had already laid the groundwork for our operations in Poland as part of our broader global expansion strategy. Little did we know how pivotal this decision would become in the subsequent challenging times.
As the crisis unfolded in 2022, our existing presence in Poland provided a stable base for those employees who chose to relocate from Ukraine, ensuring they had a welcoming and familiar environment in which to continue their work.
In tandem with our operations in Poland, we also established a foothold in Romania and Bulgaria. Initially, these operations were intended to support our team members who had moved to these regions. However, we soon discovered a growing interest from our clients in these locations.
This geographic diversification strengthens our resilience. Having our engineers based in these EU/NATO countries infuses an additional layer of stability and security into our operations. Clients can take comfort in the knowledge that our software engineering teams are located in regions that are protected by robust international alliances and security agreements.
Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in Place
At 8allocate, we have a robust BCP in place, designed to counter any potential escalation of the crisis, while ensuring we continue to deliver services at the high standards our clients expect.
Our BCP has multiple facets to address different possible scenarios. A key one is related to ensuring the sustained efficiency and productivity of our staff. To that end, we provide our teams with the necessary resources to perform their duties effectively, irrespective of their location. This includes facilitating access to coworking spaces equipped with reliable internet connectivity and other measures.
Moreover, our BCP covers a contingency relocation plan. If the situation escalates and safety becomes a concern in certain areas, we are prepared to help our employees relocate to safer regions.
Conclusion
As we navigate through the complexities brought on by the russian invasion of Ukraine, we are faithful to our unshakable commitment to employee well-being and client satisfaction. The proactive measures we have taken are not just responses to the challenges we face. They translate our deeply ingrained values and the promises we uphold.
Our strategy is multi-faceted, addressing employee safety, infrastructure robustness, high-level security, and more. It’s through these strategic decisions that we’ve managed to maintain our service standards and uninterrupted delivery to our clients, regardless of the situation at hand.
As we look to the future, we remain optimistic, committed, and persistent in our determination to rise above any challenges. Through it all, we remain true to our mission—serving our clients with excellence, no matter what.
