How Company Principles Shape Strategy

Revealing the inspiring story of Preply’s New Principles by CEO Kirill Bigai

Dear community,

I am very excited to share an important evolution of Preply’s journey. A short while back, we celebrated the launch of our new Preply Principles with a great event that brought the entire Preply team together. These Principles are the very core of who we are and what we do. They guide our daily actions, drive our decisions, and shape a culture that will enable us to work together as a high-performing team towards unlocking human potential through learning.

Why new Principles now, you may ask? For three primary reasons:

1. Now is the time. We keep momentum to evolve the company into a new stage of growth. After the introduction of our new mission & vision and company strategy last year, now is the time to land the new culture Principles. These new Principles will guide our daily actions, drive our decisions, and enable us to collaborate effectively as a united high-performing team.
2. We are fast becoming a brand of everyday use. From a marketplace that connected tutors and learners, we evolved into a brand used daily on desktop and mobile devices worldwide. To be a lovable everyday use brand, we are elevating the way we build for both learners and tutors with a higher quality, speed and focus.
3. Clarity & alignment: To enhance clarity and alignment at Preply, we’ve streamlined our approach by revamping our 6 values with 3 sub-principles each, into 10 core principles. This simplification not only promotes a deeper understanding but also provides a sharper focus. As a result, it empowers our teams at Preply to work together cohesively and ensures consistent messaging throughout the company.

Developing these Principles was a collaborative effort that involved the entire Preply team. We embarked on a year-long journey to capture the essence of who we are and how we can achieve greatness together. We began by listening to the valuable insights and feedback of our Preplers, from individual contributors to leaders. This iterative process allowed us to incorporate diverse perspectives and ensure that our principles resonate with everyone at Preply.

The launch event was just the beginning of our journey with these new Principles. Each day, we strive to embody them in everything we do. We set ambitious goals, pushing beyond our comfort zones to reach new heights. We embrace boldness, seizing opportunities and taking decisive action in a rapidly changing world. And foster collaboration, valuing the diverse perspectives and talents that each team member brings.

Preply’s New Principles

The introduction of our new Principles signifies a major achievement on our path. As we embark on this new chapter, we invite you to join us on this journey. We will share more about our Principles and what they mean to us over the coming months.

Together, let us continue to unlock human potential through learning and create a future where education knows no bounds.

Best,

Kirill