The document provides an overview of the culture and practices at a company called Metal Toad. It discusses their values of being helpful, respectful, curious, and focused on providing value and experience. It describes their open office layout, daily stand-ups and scrums, emphasis on work-life balance with casual dress and opportunities for socializing, and their view that clients are partners. The document is meant as an onboarding guide for new employees to introduce them to Metal Toad's unique company culture.
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husly, you have been deemed
worthy of Toad Lore.
Take this, cherish this, and use
this throughout your
journey during your time at Metal Toad.
Welcome!
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oad Lore will be your constant
companion. It’s the company’s
history, mission, values,
cultural practices, and Toad
terminology all rolled into one.
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Consider it a source of truth; a field
guide to help guide Toads — new and old
— along the same path. You won’t find
HR mumbo jumbo here, that’s what the
Employee Handbook is for. Look to Toad
Lore for your growth as a Toad.
Toad Lore is a living, breathing, evolving
token that at all times resembles those
that comprise it. There is plenty of space
for you to fill in the blanks and invent
your own journey. You are encouraged to
do so!
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metal toad paperweight has
always been present on the
desk of Metal Toad founder,
Joaquin Lippincott.
It came to him by way of his grandfather
whose demeanor communicated quiet
respect and unrestricted availability
to anyone who needed a helping hand.
The day Joaquin needed to pick a name
for his nascent technology consultancy,
the toad was there — quietly helping to
hold down a stack of papers.
Our company draws several things from
its namesake. A toad is humble, and about
the last creature on Earth that could
be classified as vain. A toad is adaptable.
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Around the world, toads thrive in almost
any environment. Be it desert or swamp
or jungle, toads always find a way to
adjust. Finally — from the metal — we
draw our strength and malleability.
It’s one of the most versatile substances
humans have harnessed, used in
everything from armor to transistors to
the hardware upon which Metal Toad
plies its craft.
We strive to embody all the best elements
of our namesake, incorporating them into
our Core Values and Mission Statement.
Like the metal toad paperweight, we
are always here to help anyone who
looks our way.
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he Metal Toad Core Values:
• Help
• Respect
• Curiosity
• Provide Value
• Experience
We are helpful.
Toads are eager to help in all our
interactions.
We are respectful.
Toads engage respectfully with anyone
we meet.
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We are curious.
Toads are lifelong learners with insatiable
intellects.
We provide value.
Toads prioritize lasting value over
gimmicks and fads.
We focus on user experience.
Toads craft a wonderful experience inside
every encounter.
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Our mission is to help people seeking the
world’s best technology and practices.
This does not mean that we only
recommend our technology and
practices. We are a helpful bunch. The
Toads are always looking out for Clients.
Our tagline was born from years of
iterative development. It stands for who
we’ve been, who we are, and who will we
continue to be.
We live by a different code.
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We are a different kind of software firm.
We advocate an ethical approach to
creating technology and doing business.
We seek a different kind of Client —
change agents. People who are in need of
a different kind of firm and are compelled
to drive transformation within their
organizations. We become intimately
intertwined in their success. We are their
trusted counsel.
We are Metal Toad. Offering a new way
to business and to develop software
solutions that work.
25. e greatly appreciate you
putting forth the effort
to become a Toad.
Welcome aboard!
At Metal Toad, we choose our candidates
a little differently than other companies.
We hire for cultural alignment above
anything else, and look for people who
embody and share our values. This is far
more important than the perfect skill set,
education, or ideal work experience.
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We’re craftspeople joining forces to build
something we believe in, and so are
you. That’s all you really need to know.
There’s no need to act like anything
other than yourself because yourself is
what we want. If we wanted a puffed up,
“professional” version of yourself then
we would’ve hired that. We didn’t hire
that. We hired you.
We love you just the way you are.
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he Toads often have unique
relationships with our Clients.
Often, our Clients become
our friends, our protectors,
and our biggest champions.
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Don’t shy away from getting to know
our Clients personally. We firmly believe
that the difference between a project-by-
project relationship and great, long-term
partnerships is people investing in people.
So don’t be shy. Get to know our Clients
and figure out what’s important to them.
And let’s figure out how to get them
promoted!
You’ll likely be asked to be involved
socially with our Clients. That’s great!
We hired you because you’re a respectful
and caring individual, so don’t hesitate
to let your personality show.
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“We firmly believe
that the difference
between a
project-by-project
relationship and
great, long-term
partnerships is
people investing
in people.”
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ll Toads are game for
conversation. There is
no closed-door policy at
Metal Toad and formal
communication channels and hierarchies
are not in our DNA.
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We urge you to talk openly with your
fellow Toads and build relationships
through conversations of all types —
digital, verbal, body-gestural, emoji,
bitmoji, hieroglyphic, or anything else
that comes to mind.
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Whether it’s the Toad-driven Special
Interest Groups (SIGs), Stand Ups,
Scrums, or the Toadcast, safe spaces for
the voices and opinions of all Toads are
present every minute of every day.
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tand-ups and Scrums
are a part of daily life
at Metal Toad. Both macro-
and micro-social interactions between
leadership, developers, project
managers, sales, marketing, and the
operations team help keep us all on
the same page.
At least once a week, the Toads form
an all-inclusive Knot to give each other
support, introduce new Toads, talk
about company-wide logistics, and dole
out Fistbumps and High Fives.
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Within teams and project groups,
informal scrums are held
every morning. They’re a great
way to maintain communication
continuity and encourage teamwork
within working groups.
There are no formal rules and the
structure will vary, so if for some reason
you feel that your scrum’s not working
for you, let it be known. You’ll be heard
and acknowledged.
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One-on-One Meetings between Toads
serve as a vital part of our culture.
Other than leaders making one-on-
one meetings a safe space for honest
discussion, there are no rules. You are
encouraged to schedule these meetings
however, whenever, and with whomever
you’d like.
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oads appreciate each other’s
efforts, privately and publicly.
Fistbumps and High Fives
are a regular occurrence
within our walls, so don’t be afraid
to show your appreciation during group
stand-ups, scrums, through the
#shoutouts Slack channel, and even
a respectful, platonic hug... if you’re into
that sort of thing.
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t MetalToad, work and
fun are constantly
interchanging. Meet-up
groups, book clubs, SIGs,
the foosball table (Toad Kombat),
ToadCade, the kegerator, the wine
fridge, the desktop whiskeys, and
extra-office get togethers are part of
doing business. It’s not your typical
office and we like it that way.
We encourage respectful interaction
at all times — in the office or not —
and hope that you forge friendships that
will last the rest of your life.
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he Toads always earn reasons
to celebrate. Whether it’s
because of a Client success, a
personal milestone, a birthday,
or even a fond farewell, Metal Toad is
always ready to throw down. Launch
Celebrations — either individual or
during the Monthly Launch Party —
are midday bashes that make an indelible
mark on our culture.
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Champagne and sugar are not
uncommon, nor are people excitedly
shouting “Woot!” You are welcome to
do whatever you’d like to celebrate our
accomplishments. Talk to anyone on the
Operations Team if you have celebration
ideas. They’ll make it happen!
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he normal volume level of
our office hovers somewhere
between a room full of 17-year-
olds taking a standardized test
and a room full of 17-year-olds playing
Call of Duty. It might not suit some work
environments; but we enjoy it.
You’ll get a set of quality noise-canceling
headphones on your very first day. Crank
up that Dio and go for broke! All around
you, the quietude will press on.
Quiet Hours are daily from
9:30am – 12pm and from 1pm – 4pm.
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etal Toad isn’t big on paid
advertising. We pride
ourselves on building
relationships through word-of-
mouth referrals and long-term Client
reengagements.
The Blog is the central hub of Toad
knowledge. It’s free and open to the
public, representing Metal Toad’s
thought leadership, both technological
and otherwise.
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We encourage developers, Toads or not,
to benefit from our expertise. You’ll be
doing everybody — your fellow Toads, the
developer community, and even yourself
— a favor when you contribute.
If you have any questions on Blog
formatting, content, or anything else,
grab a Marketing Toad and they’ll
happily weigh in.
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The Blog is the
central hub of
Toad knowledge.
It’s free and open
to the public,
representing
Metal Toad’s
thought
leadership…”
“
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hough schedules will not
always allow for you to work
from home on Friday, it is a
common practice. The
Toads encourage you to roll out of bed,
make a cup of joe, and work in
your pajamas.
Give your team a heads up via Slack,
email, or any other previously agreed
upon method of communication when
you’re planning on not coming into the
office. Pajama selfies not required.
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t Metal Toad, you’ll likely need
a thing or two. Whether
that’s a subscription, software
license, a stapler, or a favorite
kind of soda, you are welcomed to email
purchases@metaltoad.com at any time.
There may be a follow up question or
two, but more than likely you’ll see what
you need in very short order. #drones
In the email, please be specific as to
what you are looking for and, whenever
possible, include a link. Though the
Purchase God is mighty, it is not
omniscient... so please spare them any
need for telepathy.
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t’s in a Toad’s nature to be social.
Maybe not all the time and in
every circumstance, but there
are plenty of opportunities to
gather. Game Night, Ground Kontoad,
and other clubs and events are open to
any and all Toads.
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Feel free to invite yourself to anything
that is of interest. You are by no means
required to attend events with your
fellow Toads, but you are by all means
welcome.
Are you affiliated with a local or national
group that needs space to meet? Please
let all interested parties know that Metal
Toad’s doors are open to anyone in need.
Reach out to the Operations and/or
Marketing Toads for assistance. They’ll be
happy to help!
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hen is it appropriate to play
foosball? Whenever a worthy
challenger approaches you.
And though you have right of refusal, the
Toads encourage you to battle bravely at
every opportunity.
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he open floorplan
was designed for three
distinct reasons:
• Collaboration
• Collaboration
• and Collaboration
The Toads thrive on getting together
to solve problems. Feel free to use
a breakout room, desk-to-desk roll-a-
chair action, or a two-seater bicycle
if one’s handy… your call.
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Though it may be tempting, cutting
through the orange cloth curtains is
in stark violation of the Toad Code
of Conduct. If such a document truly
existed, it would be very anti-shortcut.
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elcome to your new kitchen.
You now have ownership of
this space. Throw your glasses
and plates in the dishwasher when you’re
finished with them, wipe up your crumbs,
and discard your refuse.
Your kitchen — and your fellow
Toads — will be most appreciative.
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he Toads love coffee. A lot.
Due to high demand, we are
in a state of constant brew.
If you are the lucky soul who
hears the last gasps of a once-full
carafe, you alone hold the responsibility
for making a new batch. If you need
instruction on how to grind the aromatic
artisan beans to fill the filter and
get the pure Portland water flowing, grab
a fellow Toad. They’ll happily show you
the ropes.
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lcohol is commonplace
at Metal Toad, as is fun.
Although responsible
imbibition is welcome at
any point throughout the afternoon,
you’ll notice that the keg and wine
fridge typically open around 4pm.
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ithin your first few weeks,
the Toads encourage you to be
brave. We are proud of the
warm and welcoming culture we have
created here, and if you’ve made it
through our grueling interview process,
guess what? You already ARE a Toad.
So introduce yourself. Join the Lunch
Train. Join a SIG or Book Club. Write a
blog. Play some foos. Hop on a scooter.
We know how socially challenging
entering a new workplace can be —
especially one with a lot of tightly knit
relationships — and the Toads want
you to know how happy we are that
you’re here.
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Why not make experiencing Metal Toad a
game? By the end of your first few weeks,
we expect you to have completed most of
the following:
□ Join a lunch train.
□ Erase a whiteboard.
□ Ride around the office on a scooter.
□ Download Galactive!
□ Proudly point out our custom elevator
button to a stranger.
□ Get your photo taken.
□ Enjoy a beverage and a conversation
with a fellow Toad.
□ Play an arcade game or foosball...
and defend against the double dragon.
□ Write a blog post about anything
you want.
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□ Work or read quietly in the Fishbowl.
□ Give somebody a #shoutout on Slack.
□ Listen to a Toadcast and leave a
comment.
□ Press every button on the elevator.
There could be a quiz on what you see.
□ Give a Fistbump at standup.
□ Rally a group for an afternoon ice
cream run. Or a donut run. Or a run
run if you’re a healthy type.
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ost companies shy
away from this topic.
It can be a pretty awkward
conversation to have, but we think
openness and honesty makes it a
lot easier.
When the time comes for a Toad to do
their own thing or join another mission,
know that the Toads support you 100% in
your search for happiness and fulfillment.
We just ask that you be considerate in
how you go about leaving our lilypad.
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etal Toad does things a little
differently. It’s true. Just
look around you. Normalcy
ain’t really our bag. And you are now
part of the experiment. We hope you’ll
make an indelible impression and help
us continue to grow. Don’t hold back
your great ideas and feedback.
Make us better. We double dog dare you.
