EasyPark Group is on a mission to build more livable cities – one parking spot at a time. The EasyPark app helps drivers find empty parking spaces and cities to better manage parking supply and demand.
It seems many cities are on board with this. From humble origins, with just nine parking spaces in Stockholm in 2001, the business now operates in over 20 countries and more than 4,000 cities. It is rated as one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe and Slack is a key element in this spectacular growth. Slack is the productivity platform on which to plan future growth and the place where corporate culture is built and reinforced.
“Slack is where we build our culture. When we acquire a new business, Slack is the quickest, most effective way of creating a sense of belonging among new colleagues.”
Acquisition to drive global growth
EasyPark Group aspires to become a leading global mobility platform provider further strengthening its commitment to making cities more livable.
With strategic partnerships and acquisitions, it can build its global coverage and fill gaps in its service expertise. Previous acquisitions have included competitors and niche specialists. Now, EasyPark Group intends to acquire Flowbird Group, which has over 1,000 employees, operations in 80 countries, and seven million app users.
To bring acquisitions into the fold quickly, EasyPark Group wants an IT infrastructure that is scalable and consistent. The 2021 acquisition of the PARK NOW Group almost doubled the employee headcount and prompted an upgrade to Slack Enterprise Grid. Previously, EasyPark Group had taken months to bring new employees and new systems into the fold fully; with Slack Enterprise Grid, the PARK NOW integration was complete in weeks.
Slack establishes a common communication platform that is easy to access and integrates with specialist applications. Increasingly, Slack is where people, processes, data, and culture meet.
“Slack is where we build our culture. When we acquire a new business, Slack is the quickest, most effective way of creating a sense of belonging among new colleagues,” said Daniel Thor, Head of Internal IT at EasyPark Group.
It is also where EasyPark Group leadership gathers. There is a dedicated Global Leadership Network within the organization, and on Slack managers can share advice, problem-solve, and provide news updates.
“Slack is a huge part of our global acquisition strategy. Without Slack, it would be difficult for us to spread our values and become one company.”
Creating connections to strengthen corporate culture
Just as important as the integration of new acquisitions, EasyPark Group wants to strengthen its corporate culture. It has three ‘values’: Be Curious, Play Together, and Inch by Inch. The first two are ‘softer’ values, aimed at supporting a culture that is social and inquisitive. The latter encourages practical progress on business improvement, including posting details of new Slack workflows.
Dedicated Slack channels bring together EasyPark Group colleagues to share wisdom and anecdotes. Lists turn conversations into action. For example, in the Play Together channel, there is a thread for those who want to participate in a dinner club in Stockholm, karting, or meet to watch football. Threads on the Be Curious channel prompt discussion on matters trivial and vital. Inch by Inch threads celebrate progress on small improvements to everyday tasks or gather quick feedback on new ideas.
Culture is business critical. Acquisitions are never exactly cookie-cutter. Acquired companies comprise individuals who may have different views of the acquisition. But Slack ensures that individuals can quickly make connections in the new business.
“For employees of newly acquired businesses, we believe if you’re at least connected to the new organization, there’s a better chance you will feel included and well informed,” said Oscar Fogelberg Westling, IT Manager – Productivity & Collaboration at EasyPark Group. “Slack is a huge part of our global strategy when bringing people together. Without Slack, it would be difficult to spread our values and become one company. But technology is not the culture. Technology supports your culture.”
Establishing a unified interface for all tasks
EasyPark Group recognizes that certain tasks require niche applications. It uses Hibob for HR, Jira for ticketing, Culture Amp for employee experience, and Comeen Workplace for desk booking.
As IT Manager, Westling wants to allow different teams to explore different apps but preaches an attitude of simplicity. Jumping in and out of multiple apps multiple times a day is not ideal. Going forward, greater integration allows users to access the app they need without leaving Slack.
“More and more we want people to work in Slack. Our goal is a unified interface for all employees, where 90% of internal processes – from desk-booking to HR – can be completed in Slack.”
Depending on the success of this project, he added, EasyPark Group may be able to augment some third-party apps. For example, there are already efforts to explore how ticketing can be managed through a dedicated Slack channel.
Slack, Westling continued, is the best place to take a snapshot of what is happening at an increasingly global, 24/7 business: “I can get an AI summary of a meeting I missed, catch up with last night’s party in the Milan office, or see who is working in the Stockholm office today. Slack helps me connect on a global scale. It brings structure to unstructured information.”
Championing excellence to generate momentum
“Slack works,” said Westling, “because EasyPark Group is invested in its success.” Since it was first adopted by a member of the engineering team, and its impact noted, EasyPark Group has been an active promoter of the platform.
It has created a Slack Champions Network, comprised of colleagues with different job titles, geographies, and seniority. These are not just Slack power users, but employees who best demonstrate the qualities of Be Curious, Play Together, and Inch by Inch – the ability to bring people together, ask questions, and improve things.
“Our champions are crazy about Slack and want their colleagues to get the most out of it,” said Westling. “Slack is where expertise and passion meet.”
