Located on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, Mobile is home to our southernmost development center as well as nearly 200 of our colleagues. Development Center Director Trey Sparks tells us all about life in “The Port City.”
The home of Mardi Gras
While many people associate Mardi Gras with the city of New Orleans, Mobile was actually the first city to observe the event all the way back in 1703. Mobile residents are very proud of their history, so the annual Mardi Gras celebration is simply a can’t-miss event (make sure to have a moon pie!) Another unique happening in Mobile is called the Jubilee. It’s a natural phenomenon where crab, shrimp, and other fish all swarm the shore at the same time in Mobile Bay. With such easy-to-catch seafood, it definitely draws a crowd.
Development center fun
Just like in Mobile Bay, food brings everyone together in our Mobile Development Center. What’s been the most popular event? “Anything that consists of food or beverages will most likely win every time: we’ve had events like the mimosa mingle, chili cookoff, and macaroni and cheese cookoff,” says Trey. Nerdlympics is another popular event because our colleagues love a little healthy competition.
Colleagues coming together
When it comes to what makes Mobile special, Trey says it’s the people. “Our colleagues are definitely the heart of our centers. They make it a point to ensure that there’s a strong culture of collaboration and inclusion, and they’re not afraid to speak out for the good of the group, or even for the benefit of one individual.” That’s why the Mobile center has such a deep involvement with the local community. In addition to working with the Ronald McDonald House and Angel Tree, through The Salvation Army, Sparq also holds a spot on the advisory board with the University of South Alabama. Trey says, “Even though we share many of the same values, it’s impossible to try to fit our colleagues into a mold when describing them. We really benefit from working with individuals from different backgrounds, experience levels, and personalities.”
Five Ways User Feedback Can Transform Your Product Strategy
User feedback is a critical asset that can provide valuable insights into your users' wants and needs. It can also give important observations into your application's overall performance. In this article, Principal Product Strategist Toyia Smith shares five ways to better incorporate user feedback into your product strategy.
Balancing Technical Debt and New Features: A Product Owner’s Guide
The term "technical debt" frequently emerges in discussions about software development, product health and organizational effectiveness. However, its true meaning and the balance organizations must find between managing this debt and new feature innovation can be confusing. In this article, learn how to manage that delicate balance so you can create an exceptional product.
Navigating Digital Product Discovery: A Guide to Avoiding the 5 Common Pitfalls in Custom Product Development
In digital product development, a well-structured discovery phase is critical to a product’s long-term success. However, bringing a digital product from concept to reality can be challenging. In this article, Principal Product Strategist Josh Campbell shares his guide to avoiding five common pitfalls during digital product discovery.
Preparing Your Business for the Realities of AI and Machine Learning: Beyond the Hype
The buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has almost certainly reached a fever pitch. With benefits including increased efficiency and enhanced customer experiences, many businesses are eager to take advantage of these technologies. In this article by Chief Technology Officer Derek Perry, learn why organizations need a solid foundation to ensure they're ready to harness the benefits of AI and ML, before jumping in headfirst.