Hi, I’m Vladimir Ivanov, Culture Lead. I’ve been with inDrive since the very beginning, back when we were just a few people working around one small table. Today, we’re more than 3000 inDriveans across continents, but in many ways, it still feels like the same company. Over the years, I’ve held many roles, but I’ve always focused on people and the desire to do things right.
When growth demanded culture
Back in 2015, I came back from vacation and the office felt completely different. We’d hired 30 people in just two months. I remember walking into HR and asking, “How many people joined?” That was the moment I realized we needed onboarding, rituals, and connection.
So I started hosting onboarding sessions. At first one a week, then two. When the pandemic hit, we moved everything online. Still, the energy didn’t stop. By the end of 2020, we’d gone from 500 to 1500 people. Since then, we’ve welcomed around 1000 people every year.
To me, culture isn’t a poster on the wall. It’s how you give feedback, how you show up for each other, how you deal with differences.
That’s also why I run workshops, to tell the real stories behind our values. When people hear how inDrive started, how we fought unfair taxi prices during -50°C Yakutsk winters, they understand where our mindset comes from. Our values didn’t come from branding, they came from life and who we really are.
Success starts with knowing what you want
If someone asks me how to succeed at inDrive, I always start with the same question: what do you want? Not just from your job, but from your life.
Your career goals and your personal journey are deeply connected, and If you’re honest about what you really want, you can build your own path forward.
I believe in setting goals. It sounds simple, but it works. That’s why I always tell new inDriveans: sit down with your manager in your first month. Talk about what you want to achieve, map your goals, and set a direction. That simple conversation can change everything.
We made a big step in 2024 by introducing structured performance reviews and leadership model for managers. It helps us create alignment between individual goals and the company’s goals and gives each inDrivean a clearer view of where they’re heading.
My inner drive
For me, it’s about staying connected to my roots. I grew up in a tiny rural village in the diamond-mining region. At 16, I became a radio DJ, during what I call the golden age of radio. Those were inspiring years, and I still carry that spirit with me.
Today I run a hobby radio station called OTON FM. It broadcasts in my native Sakha, a language that is slowly disappearing. Like culture, it only survives if you keep using it, so I’m keeping it alive in my own way.
And that’s exactly what I am doing at inDrive too. My goal this year is simple: to meet as many people in the company as I can. I want to run in-person workshops, share stories, and spark conversations that help keep our values alive.
***
Ready to ignite your inner drive? Explore our open positions here.
