When forming your business, you’re constantly being forced to make decisions on what kind of company you want to build. I think this is something you’ll have to do regardless if you have 10 or 1000 employees – or if you’re like me – self employed. Here are some basic rules that I try to adapt when forming my company culture.

1. Sometimes who you do business with is more important than the business you’re doing

I am in a business where co-operation is key to any success of a project. So if I’m in a position to choose people to work with that I truly enjoy working with, can learn from, and just enjoy being around – this is a good thing. Sometimes you’ll get hung up on making as much revenue as possible that you stop loving your work. If you find people you enjoy hanging out with and you love what you do – success will come.

2. The work you deliver is more important than where you’re doing the work

I meet with a lot of agencies. Some of them feel very strongly about the physical position where the work should be done. I agree that certain parts of a project are easier to handle on location but I think we are still too focused on the idea that work is something that we’re doing at a desk, in an office. Some of the best work I’ve done have been for companies thousands of miles away. With good communication, an open mind and a “can do” spirit – you’ll get great work. Since I started, about 75% of my client list are clients not based in the south of Sweden.

3. Being small gives me an advantage, let’s use it.

I’m just one guy. Occasionally my wife works with me, but usually it’s just me (and my dog). What I do have – is an amazing network of friends, old colleagues, partners, former and current Hyper Island students to help me out with any project that might come up. This gives me an amazing flexibility in choosing projects and still delivering quality work.

I found this in the bathroom at the Spotify HQ. I think it summons what I’m trying to say.