[Software] Binary Stream Software focuses on employee learning

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Binary Stream Software employees having fun playing a board game during lunch. SUPPLIED

The highly technical requirements of building software create a steep learning curve for new employees at Binary Stream Software Inc. Ashlee Zhang mentioned to her team that she wanted to create a way to simplify the process.

The next day, Binary Stream CEO Lak Chahal came to see Zhang. They sat down together and worked to resolve the issue and make things easier for new employees. Zhang, who is a quality assurance analyst, also suggested creating a new role dedicated to this area and said she was interested in taking it on.

Chahal agreed and worked with Zhang’s direct manager to create a detailed plan for her to progress toward that goal. Eighteen months later, Zhang has worked on many projects and completed training courses, paid for by Binary Stream. She expects to take on her new position soon at the company, which produces enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.

“They’ve been doing everything they can to help me transition to that role,” Zhang says. “I am thrilled with the opportunity. It has really made me feel important and like my voice is being heard. It makes me want to go above and beyond for this company even more because they care about my career goals.”

Chahal says he wants to create a structure where employees can move into new areas if they are interested.

“What we do is very specialized. So, it is difficult to hire someone with all of the necessary skills,” says Chahal. “We have found that the best growth happens with the people we have, to educate them and give them an opportunity to learn and grow.”

To support this strategy, Binary Stream created learning plans. Each employee develops such a plan with their manager, which they review at least every six months. They map out the skills and training they need to reach their goals.

This supportive environment extends to everyday tasks, too.

“The first day I joined the company, I realized we really thrive upon open communication,” Zhang says. “We always work as a team and have daily stand-up meetings to connect with our team members.”

Binary Stream also holds weekly check-ins, called pulse checks, team games and company-wide get-togethers, such as hiking or attending sporting events or going to movies. Since the pandemic began, Binary Stream has held the weekly pulse checks to give employees a chance to ask questions and stay connected.

While this supportive, collaborative approach helps employees, it is also helping the company succeed, says Chahal, who started Burnaby-based Binary Stream in 1999 using his son’s bedroom as his office. It is now one of the most innovative ERP solution providers in Canada and is building a worldwide presence. Over the past year, Microsoft acquired the exclusive licensing rights for one of Binary Stream’s solutions and recognized Binary Stream as a finalist for its Partner-of-the-Year award.

“You need to be agile and you need to be resilient, especially in the technology sector,” Chahal says. “You need to have the right people to scale and grow. We have had an amazing amount of success, which we’re all proud of as a company and I’m extremely proud of the team. If you have the right people, it makes the journey much, much easier.”

This story was produced by Mediacorp in partnership with Postmedia, on behalf of Binary Stream Software.

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