“It has been heartening to see the solidarity among our team members.”

“Like all Israelis, the horrifying massacre of October 7 has impacted us all emotionally and it has been very tough to hear the stories and see the videos that have emerged since,” says Tomer Federman, Co-Founder and CEO of Firmbase. “While the war's effects were felt by everyone, it has been heartening to see the solidarity among our team members, with people stepping up to support one another both professionally and emotionally.”

HR in War explores how companies in Israel are adapting in unusual times. CTech believes the world should know about the atrocities committed on 7/10 while also highlighting the continued resolve and resistance of the Israeli tech ecosystem.

Tomer Federman, Co-Founder and CEO of Firmbase

“We have an exceptional team and their agility and dedication played a crucial role in maintaining our momentum through these challenging times,” he added.

Company name: Firmbase
Your name and title: Tomer Federman, Co-Founder & CEO
Names of founders and upper management: Tomer Federman (CEO) and Vlad Shumlin (CTO)
Field of activity: Fintech
Number of employees: 18
Office location: Tel Aviv

On a scale of 1-10, how much did the war disrupt operations at the company?

Three. Like all Israelis, the horrifying massacre of October 7 has impacted us all emotionally and it has been very tough to hear the stories and see the videos that have emerged since.

While the war's effects were felt by everyone, it has been heartening to see the solidarity among our team members, with people stepping up to support one another both professionally and emotionally. We have an exceptional team and their agility and dedication played a crucial role in maintaining our momentum through these challenging times.

Overall, the current situation has had minimal impact on the company's operations, given our hybrid work model and the team's quick adaptation to the changing circumstances. We remain steadfast in our dedication to our customers and are committed to sustaining our high service standards and rapid development pace.

What consequences have you experienced from these disruptions?

Israel is a small country and almost everyone knows people who have been impacted by the atrocities committed by the terrorists. We are doing all that we can to be there for our employees during these difficult times while continuing to press ahead at full speed to best serve our customers.

What are the two major challenges you are coping with these days?

One major challenge we’re currently dealing with is related to staff shortages resulting from reserve duties. Following the war's outbreak, several team members were called up for reserve duty and this necessitated quick adjustments to prevent any slowdown.

Coordination across the company has become a higher priority, ensuring the team remains close and collaborative. We've taken active steps to bridge gaps and reallocate resources to keep moving fast.

We're also tackling the challenge of supporting our team’s well-being and mental health during wartime. The sound of sirens going off, reduced school schedules, and ongoing news reports serve as a constant reminder of the unusual situation we’re all in. As detailed below, we’ve introduced new measures to address these challenges and support our employees.

What support do you provide to employees?

We've implemented several initiatives to support our team members, each designed to enhance their well-being and work experience during this tough period.

We make sure that managers conduct frequent one-on-one check-ins with team members. These check-ins go beyond discussing work-related topics; they focus also on the mental health of our employees and their families.

We also recognize the importance of flexible work arrangements and have improved our hybrid work model. Our approach is aimed at accommodating employees’ comfort and personal circumstances, ensuring they can work in an environment that best suits their needs.

To reflect the company's support and appreciation, we’ve sent care gifts to our employees. It's our way of showing that we're not just a team, but a group that looks out for each other.

These measures reflect our commitment to fostering a nurturing and adaptive work culture, where each individual feels valued and empowered.

Do you have employees with foreign citizenship who asked to work from another country? If so, has movement been requested/approved?

No.

How do you communicate the situation to customers? Do you see hostility or support?

In communicating with our customers, the approach has been one of transparency and reassurance. We’ve maintained close communication channels to convey that, despite the challenges posed by the war, our commitment to customer success remains firm.

The response from customers has been heartwarming and overwhelmingly positive; they have shown a great deal of understanding and support, acknowledging the shared challenges being faced in Israel and standing in solidarity with us.

In the event employees feel they encounter hostility, how do you guide them to respond to the situation?

Given that our headquarters are based in Tel Aviv, we have not experienced any incidents of hostility. As a company, our position is clear: We stand with the people and the State of Israel and unequivocally condemn any acts of terror, hate, or antisemitism.

Startups only: How do you communicate the situation to investors, and how are they reacting?

In discussions with our investors, the strategy has been to maintain clarity and focus. We keep our investors well-informed to ensure we’re all aligned about the challenges presented by the current situation and the proactive steps we’re taking to overcome them.

The support and advice of our investors help us stay on track to fulfill our mission - to make financial planning and analysis attainable, collaborative, and data-driven, so companies can create better financial forecasts and make quick decisions with confidence.