The Calcey Way

Good things come in small packages, they said. When we commenced operations nearly 17 years ago, we promised our clients first-rate software solutions built with love by resourceful, focused, and dedicated teams. Today, having grown into a much larger company with 140 employees, nothing much has changed, except for our size. Our founder, Mangala Karunaratne, was once a Project Manager in Silicon Valley and managed an offshore development team. Disappointed with the results of the traditional offshoring model, he set out to build a company which can tap into the rich talent pool in South Asia, while offering clients the personal touch, empathy, understanding and ownership, an onshore boutique development outfit can provide.

We’ve come a long way since, but we still continue to stick by our original vision. Hundreds of clients later, we’re convinced that we’re doing something right. We are proudly industry agnostic, and our structure enables us to work with firms of all sizes. Be it Fortune 500s or a little startup based in a garage in a corner of the world, we’re happy to put our technological prowess to good use without any discrimination. That is why we compete on quality and not on cost.

For anyone looking to understand how we go about our work at Calcey, this is what we have to say.

Our Rules
Rules are sometimes meant to be broken. But, like road rules, some rules exist to make things better for all of us. Think of these as our non-negotiables.

1. 1. Straight talk
      Frankness is under-rated. At Calcey, we believe that being candid is better for everyone and reduces misunderstandings. In the business that we’re in, good communication is key and misunderstandings are costly.
      
   2. Fairness
      The world may not always be a fair place, but our offices are. Calcey is a meritocracy, and we strive to do right by everyone. Whether we are dealing with employees, customers, or even the kind lady who runs our cafeteria, the rule of fairness is applied.

      

       

   3. Honesty
      We consider ourselves peddlers of honesty. Sometimes that means turning work down if it is not something we’re good at. At other times that means being open about how a given decision would affect the timelines of a project. Whatever it is, we’d rather tell the truth than try to save face by lying.
   4. Integrity
      A company is simply a group of people, and the way the people go, so does the company. That is precisely why we look for people with strong value and moral principles, because we believe that Calcey should also exhibit a strong moral code. We like people who are in touch with their conscience and know how to do what is right and ethical.
   5. Quality, always
      We take pride in providing our clients with world-class, defect-free products and services. It’s what has helped us become who we are today, and a quality-first mindset permeates all that we do.

      

   6. Be responsible
      We have a reasonably flat organisational structure at Calcey for a reason. We don’t want cumbersome, bureaucratic processes to get in the way of doing good work. All that we ask from our employees is to do their part and do it well.
   7. Respect everyone
      Treat everyone, regardless of their age, gender or status, as you would like to be treated. That doesn’t mean you can’t disagree, but don’t demean others just to get your point across. We don’t need that where we’re going.
   8. Always learn and adapt
      The industry we are in is like quicksand, continuously shifting underneath our feet. What’s in vogue today may be derided tomorrow as a huge no-no, but that’s not the point.The thing with knowledge is that it compounds, and as you learn more, you can make better sense of the world around you. That’s how you become better at solving problems, and no matter how you look at it, all of us are in the business of solving problems, really.

      

   9. No oversized egos please
      This is a no-brainer. We also think the late Anthony Bourdain did a great job of explaining this in a much better way than any of us ever could.

      It is truly a privilege to live by what I call the ‘no asshole’ rule. I don’t do business with assholes. I don’t care how much money they are offering me or what project. Life is too short. Quality of life is important. I’m fortunate to collaborate with a lot of people who I respect and like, and I’d like to keep it that way.

      Don’t get us wrong though. Sometimes, life works out better if you’re just brave enough to say what you really feel, even if it’s an unpopular opinion which goes against conventional wisdom. Mark Manson calls them ‘Ethical Assholes’. Labels notwithstanding, we’re okay with people who aren’t afraid to be unpopular, as long as they’re doing what’s right. If the Wright Brothers weren’t brave enough to think that they can build a flying machine despite being humble bicycle mechanics, the aviation industry would have never happened.

And that’s it.
At Calcey, we care deeply about creating a work culture which enables people to show up and do their best work. We’re proud to say that we’re a true meritocracy. Good performance should and will be rewarded handsomely. That’s a promise.
FYI though, there are times when things may not go as smoothly as we’d like them to. Every once in a while, there is the occasional all-nighter when prepping for a release. But those are few and far in between, and we work to minimise such instances through planning.

If you are interested in working with us, check out our open vacancies at https://calcey.com/careers/ and drop us an email at jobs@calcey.com.