Our support team regularly receives top marks - in chat, at WordCamps, on social networks and from Trusted Shops. Of course we want to keep it that way. That's why we're delighted to welcome Niklas (left) and Christian. They support our heroes in support, Niklas also supports product development.
As the number of customers grows, so do the requests to our support team. Christian and Niklas are WordPress experts with many years of experience. Raidboxes deliberately focuses on personal and individual advice - instead of call centers and waiting loops. Get to know your new contacts in our interview.
Raidboxes continues to grow - be part of it
What tasks do you take on in the Raidboxes team?
Christian: I'm part of the support team and am always on hand to help and advise our customers. For example, I help them to move their website to us. Or to find out why their site is not performing well.
Niklas: On the one hand, as a developer I will help to further develop the product and implement new features. But I will also be looking for answers to tricky questions in support. And use my background as a developer there.
Working with WordPress
How and where have you worked with WordPress so far?
Christian: I've been working with WordPress since 2011. Like many people, it all started with a private blog. For me, it was about running marathons, as I ran my first half marathon in 2010 and a full marathon in 2011. I then wrote about my running experiences on my blog. I worked intensively with WordPress and it quickly became my passion.
Over time, I kept getting requests to help someone here or there with their site. As a result, I didn't just focus on the operation of the site, but more and more on the technical side of things. I got to grips with PHP, CSS and HTML. And later, as a freelancer, I created websites and offered WordPress support.
Niklas: I've been working with WordPress for about 5 years now and have implemented several websites for clients since then. One of my first projects was a WordPress multisite. That was super interesting for me at the time, as it was the first time I had used the many possibilities of WordPress. I also built an automated backup and update system for WordPress to make it easier to manage client websites.
The support challenge
Support is sometimes a challenge, even though we have great customers. How do you always manage to stay calm and constructive?
Christian: For one thing, I have a naturally calm disposition. And secondly, it's simply a matter of attitude and perspective. When someone asks me for help, I don't see it as a nuisance or even a burden. I see it more as a compliment or even a privilege that this person turns to me for help or advice. At that moment, a problem is just what it is for the person: a problem. And I help them as best I can. Sometimes a change of perspective is enough to show that there is no problem at all.
Niklas: I have provided support throughout my entire career as a developer. Whether by phone, email or in personal consultation. And I've experienced a lot there. In the past, I've had to deal with a wide variety of customers, and you always have to adapt to them. To look at the problem from the customer's point of view. That can certainly be exhausting at times. But it's also fun to dig into each case to find the solution to the problem.
The Raidboxes team
What is your first impression of Raidboxes?
Christian: My first impression is great! You can tell that this is not just about making as much money as quickly as possible. It's about everyone who is really interested in WordPress. Humanity and sustainability are also special topics that play a major role here. I really like that.
Niklas: I am very enthusiastic about Raidboxes. The team gave me a great welcome and I'm looking forward to working together. I find the holacracy model very interesting. I'm curious to see how it will be implemented in practice. Let's see what else is coming, I'm looking forward to the next few months.
Christian, dou will be working from home. That doesn't suit everyone. How do you manage to concentrate at home?
I actually have years of experience working 100% remotely. Of course, this requires good discipline and a quiet environment. I have my own office at home, where I feel very comfortable. To have a change of scenery every now and then, I also like to work in a coworking space.
Tips for everyday remote work
What are you most looking forward to at Raidboxes?
Christian: I'm most looking forward to exchanging ideas with colleagues and taking part in the WordCamps.
Niklas: To get actively involved in product development. And to develop a feature that makes the daily work of potentially thousands of customers easier or even takes it off their hands. I find that extremely exciting and I want to play my part. I'm also really looking forward to the upcoming team events. So that I can meet up with the whole team again, including all the remoters.
Raidboxes as an employer
Why did you choose Raidboxes as your employer?
Christian: Well, Raidboxes is a state-of-the-art IT company with a start-up character. In contrast to others, it uses the technical possibilities of communication in such a way that the advantages of self-employment (such as time management and independence of location) can be perfectly combined with the advantages of a permanent position (inclination-specialized work and a fixed income).
Niklas: I can identify with the idea and the philosophy one hundred percent. With my agency background, I can really understand the problems that we are trying to solve with our products. I want to help solve these problems in order tocreatemore "freedom" 😉
What do you do when you're not working for Raidboxes?
Christian: Then I spend time with my wife. We like to go on bike rides together, go for walks, watch series and organize game nights with family and friends.
Niklas: I've been playing Ultimate Frisbee in my free time since 2016. In the beginning it was two against two on a field, but then it developed and more and more people joined in. We don't play Ultimate in a club, but have taught ourselves. Thanks to the size of the group, we have already organized a Christmas party or public viewing in a large group, for example.
I also enjoy playing badminton and soccer. Soccer is my real sport, which I have been playing since I was five years old. Unfortunately, I'm no longer part of the club, but some of my former team are now involved in Ultimate. Apart from that, I'm a big movie fan. I'm always tweaking the picture and sound at home to get the most out of it.
