(Part I)

2021 - a year with ups and downs, a longing for normality, but also many small and large successes and optimism. We look back together on growth, innovations and shared moments.

After planning more carefully in 2020, we were able to address growth issues again in 2021 and expand our team. Thus, five new team members joined us, whose experience and expertise makes byte5 even more unique. With our latest team addition - Labrador Levi - we now finally have an official office dog. But we are not only happy about new team members. In 2021, Julia celebrated 5 years with the company. In 2022 we hope to continue this trend and look forward to many new faces.

Those who know byte5 know that trust and self-determination are our top priorities. In 2021, we have therefore also developed some innovations that focus even more on the needs of the team. After hybrid working has already been introduced at byte5 since 2018, it will also be possible for team members to work completely remotely in the future.

Another innovation in the area of work culture at byte5 brought the Pay Panel and the associated new salary model in June. With this, we are replacing traditional salary negotiations with superiors with a criteria-based, transparent model in which employees are actively involved.

To ensure that team cohesion is not lost despite hybrid work models, we were particularly pleased to be able to hold some of our team events on site again this year - with the necessary protective measures, of course. In September, for example, we were able to celebrate our summer party on site in Frankfurt and see not only the Second Family, but also their First Families again with children and partners. In December, of course, we had our annual Christmas party - this year hybrid. In a Christmas quiz and games, the entire team was able to demonstrate their knowledge of various (byte5) Christmas themes and their combination skills. Who knows how many needles an average Christmas tree has or what the members of the Kelly family are called? We hope to have the opportunity to get together with the whole team more often again next year.

At the end of the year, we had something very special to announce. What had been clear to us internally for a long time is now official: byte5 receives the "Great Place to Work" certification. This recognizes our efforts to shape the workplace culture in terms of credibility, pride, fairness, team spirit and respect within the company as well as team satisfaction. Here are some anonymous quotes from colleagues that we were particularly happy to receive:

"I am treated as a full member here regardless of my position."

"I am offered training and support for my professional development."

"Managers trust employees to do a good job without constantly checking up on them."

With these beautiful words, the team gradually says goodbye to the well-deserved Christmas vacation. We wish all our customers, partners, families and friends a relaxing holiday season and, above all, good health!

In the second part of our annual recap, we will focus on projects, technologies and partnerships.