"Make It Mean Something" at iManage: Where workplace culture meets career impact

At iManage, “Make It Mean Something” is more than a tagline—it’s our commitment to fostering an environment where meaningful work, personal growth, and career impact are paramount to our success. Amy Nordness, our Chief People Officer, shares how this philosophy drives and shapes our employee experience. 

Origins of "Make It Mean Something"

We developed the “Make It Mean Something” philosophy through in-depth research and employee interviews. During this process, a common theme emerged: iManage employees are driven by the desire to know that their work makes a real difference. As Amy explains, “Employees at iManage are here because they want to know that the work they are doing, and their chosen career path, is making a difference. And that we in turn, as a company, can provide them with that experience.” This sentiment became the foundation for our company culture, focusing on our employees' commitment to meaningful work. 

Employee engagement and culture

A significant part of our company culture revolves around impact and engagement, where employees feel their professional development is actively encouraged, alongside feeling a true connection to a diverse community of their colleagues. These values of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning are deeply ingrained in our company’s DNA through programs like “iThrive” and “iBelong”. 

Amy highlights the importance of creating a space where employees feel included and valued: “You have to feel like you can bring your authentic best self to everything you’re doing. If you don’t feel like you belong or that your voice is heard, you’re not going to be able to do that. Inclusion is key to a sense of belonging.”

When it comes to investing in our talent, our career framework “iThrive” focuses on ensuring our teams feel connected and supported within the organization, while providing guidance for growth. Amy shares, “Part of being able to thrive is learning and growing. It really ties back to our value of hunger for learning. Having a career framework which empowers our employees to explore many different opportunities and ways in which they can truly thrive is core to who we are.” 

The people that are most successful are ones that want to collaborate, solve problems, build connections, and seek innovation through challenging the status quo. The work our employees do extends well beyond the 1M+ users we impact daily—it plays a critical role in shaping the future of our industry, fostering innovation, and solving complex challenges.

Looking to the future

As iManage sets its sights on substantial growth over the next few years, Amy sees having a culture of meaningful impact becoming even more critical in redefining the modern workplace. Doubling the size of the business will open up new opportunities for employees—whether through rotational work programs, growing in their career through “iThrive,” or learning new skills through our learning and development initiatives.  “These growth opportunities will allow employees to find even deeper meaning in their careers, making a significant impact both within the company and in the industry at large.”

As she reflects further on what the future holds, Amy highlights that, “A big part of ‘Make it Mean Something,’ whether it be the culture, or our promise to our employees, is that it will become even more of a foundational value as we think about growth. Who are the people that want to solve challenging problems and have their work mean something? We have to make sure we are hiring the right people, investing in the right people, and that we continue to meet the needs of our team as we continue to evolve from 1,000 to 2,000 employees over the next few years.”

Joining the journey

For individuals considering joining iManage, Amy offers valuable advice: "Be curious and dig in." She encourages new hires to ask questions, absorb knowledge shared from collaboration with experienced colleagues, and embrace the company’s culture of problem-solving and innovation. At iManage, learning opportunities abound, whether they come from accomplished colleagues with decades of experience or peers who bring fresh perspectives.

Amy shares her own story of finding purpose in her work: “This focus on making an impact resonates deeply with me as well. When I joined iManage, Neil, our CEO, emphasized that he wanted me to make a lasting impact. His words, ‘I want you to write a book about the culture here and your contributions to it,’ resonated with me, as they aligned with my own desire to create meaningful change for both employees and candidates.”

Final thoughts

At its heart, “Make It Mean Something” is more than just words—it is the way we approach every day at iManage. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to creating an environment where employees can engage with meaningful work, grow both personally and professionally, and truly make an impact.

Ready to “Make It Mean Something” at iManage? Check out our careers page to see current openings.