Crafting Connections: How We Spend Our Time Together In Bulgaria

Meet Stamena Manova - she’s a Manager on our Employee Experience team in ЕМЕА. In this blog post, we'll dive into the objectives, vision, and strategy behind our events in Bulgaria, shedding light on the local culture, how we spend time together, and why it holds significance for our teammates. 

Hi Stamena! Can you talk about our events strategy in Bulgaria?

In the dynamic corporate life, fostering a vibrant company culture is more than just a strategic move—it's necessary. At DraftKings, we recognize the importance of creating exceptional office spaces and experiences that elevate the routine of daily work. Our mission is straightforward: to provide an advantageous work environment characterized by enhanced collaboration and meaningful in-person interactions.

The goals guiding our events strategy encompass boosting office engagement, expanding company culture globally, retaining top talent, and gaining a competitive edge. At DraftKings, our mission is to foster an exceptional work environment where everyone can show up every day as themselves and do their best work.

With our Bulgaria strategy, we centered our vision on constructing a dynamic calendar based on company-wide initiatives, sports events relevant to our industry, local festivities, and culture-oriented days. This vision acts as the guiding framework for cultivating more meaningful and impactful interactions among our diverse workforce.

What types of events and initiatives does your team organize in the DraftKings offices in Bulgaria?

We plan our events with a thoughtful combination of our global event calendar and a localized approach, embracing traditions and celebrations unique to Bulgaria. 

Navigating the post-COVID-19 era and adapting to evolving work setups can be challenging. That's why we prioritize understanding the preferences and needs of our teams. Adapting to the changing work landscape requires a plan, and for us, that involves utilizing data and personal touches. Regular assessments of the needs and expectations of our people provide insights on how to fine-tune our events, guaranteeing they not only meet but surpass the expectations of our diverse DraftKings community.

At DraftKings, our office events are more than just gatherings; they're invaluable experiences. We spotlight major sports events like the NFL, Super Bowl, March Madness, and the World Cup, fueling our passion and industry connection, and we don't stop there. Understanding that engagement goes beyond business, we also celebrate local culture— from holidays to traditions to enrich our work environment.

What are some of the upcoming projects that excite you?

As we dive into upcoming initiatives, I'm thrilled to immerse myself in the planning process for our event calendar. It's shaping up to be an exciting time filled with team-building opportunities, 

One of the highlights on our agenda is a series of team-building activities designed to strengthen our connection and enhance collaboration within the team. Additionally, we're gearing up for a blood donation campaign right here in the office. This initiative reflects our commitment to giving back to the community and making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

However, what truly has me buzzing with excitement is the upcoming family day celebration in late summer. Last year marked the debut and it was a resounding success. The combination of picnics, barbecues, animations, and games for the kids creates an atmosphere of joy and connection that's truly special. It's a chance for us to strengthen our relationships with teammates and their families while creating cherished memories together.

Overall, I'm thrilled about the events we have planned for the upcoming year and the positive impact they'll have on our team dynamics, community involvement, and employee satisfaction.

What makes these events so valuable to our teammates? Why do you think they appreciate the different initiatives and office events?

It's all about cultivating meaningful connections and nurturing a strong sense of togetherness within our local community of talented professionals. Coming together for shared meals, whether it's a thematic lunch or a casual breakfast, is a great opportunity for socializing and bonding. It's more than just the food on the table; it's about connecting, getting to know each other, and building friendships with our teammates.

If you're passionate about advancing technology and enjoy a dynamic work environment where we foster authentic connections, explore our exciting opportunities in Bulgaria!