TLM: 20 Years Of Development, Innovation And Growth
The TLM adventure began in 2003, 20 years ago! Time flies when we have the chance to work in an exciting industry like ours! OK, we are a little (a lot) biased, but we are still so passionate about innovation, technology and programming which remain for us the most captivating subjects!
Over the years, we have had the pleasure of hearing such great stories of caring entrepreneurs who are changing small parts of the world, in their own way, with their revolutionary ideas. It is a privilege to develop software products of all kinds for such talented people! And we don’t say that to be bootlickers!
THE BIRTH OF TLM
If we go back to 2003, it was difficult to get a job in the IT field because of the tech bubble bursting. Let us also remember that the stock market krash of 2000 was marked by bankruptcies and in extremis bailouts of large companies all over the world.
Fresh out of a university computer science program, Robi and Bhaskor found themselves in a jobless Saguenay market. They therefore took the initiative to become, themselves, an employer of choice by creating their own business.
We can therefore say that TLM was born from the desire to offer quality programming jobs in regions. A mission that we consider well accomplished today with more than 100 employees to our credit!
INVESTMENTS IN ADDITION TO SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
In 2008, we sought to make a bigger difference for our customers. We were already building software products for startups, but we wanted to support them even more in the development of their business. It was at this time that we agreed to invest monetarily in several of our clients.
As you already know, companies in the start-up phase, and even pre-start-ups, need financing and trusted people to turn to for sound advice. This is how we decided to play these two roles! We would now offer more than software development services, we would offer long term support and a funding opportunity.
We are proud to say that we are investing more and more in our customers and that these investments also belong to our employees in the form of a share redistribution program.
FORM A TECHNOLOGY HUB FOR STARTUPS
In 2018, our small Chicoutimi office began expanding to Quebec City. Several employees wanted to move to the Capitale-Nationale, but did not want to leave TLM. We understood them! This is how we decided to open a second office there. This new establishment was a breath of fresh air and a superb success. We have also had to change offices twice since to adopt ever larger spaces.
After this epic journey, the team has decided, in 2022, to fly to even more distant horizons and wander towards the old continent. It was in La Rochelle, France that we set foot. Why did you choose La Rochelle and not Paris? To go back to our sources, of course: to offer quality jobs in regions.
In addition, our opening in France has a strategic impact for our entrepreneur clients.
« The opening of this first international establishment aims to create a hub of exchange for entrepreneurs from here and elsewhere in order to facilitate access to new markets for TLM customers; from North America to France and vice versa. »
– Robi Guha, president of TLM.
As a result, the president of our French sector, Charles Francisci, also shares this vision. He travels to the four corners of France to promote TLM’s expertise and vision since the opening of this third establishment.
A DIFFERENT CULTURE
Thanks to our corporate culture, which we like to call “just alien enough”, we manage to stand out and attract new employees with our innovative ways of doing things.
We have always relied on the authenticity and individuality of our employees. The Guha twins have always had energetic personalities, hearty senses of humor and a desire to make each of their employees shine. This is really where our somewhat alien corporate culture was born. It integrates into all aspects of the business; from our values to the participative management model. This all stems from the belief that every human can bring their own personal touch to TLM, regardless of their role or past experiences.
In two decades, we have come a long way! However, we have always kept certain objectives in mind:
- Offer quality jobs in regions. Well, it must be said that today, with telework, we offer quality jobs everywhere, but the majority of our employees are still in the regions.
- Develop software products above standards. After 20 years of specializing in programming MVPs and software products for startups, our reputation is well established and our expertise recognized.
In addition, based on our experience, we are able to advise our clients in the business world. We know everything about growth cycles, possible funding sources, increasing sales, etc. The worst (or the best, it depends) in there, are consulting services that we do not even charge to our clients. We prefer to invest time in them in order to enhance their growth and solidify our business relationship.
20 YEARS AND MANY MORE TO COME!
Finally, we must thank all the employees, customers and partners who have believed in TLM since the first hour. It is thanks to you that we have experienced remarkable growth. Even after 20 years, we are certain that the adventure has only just begun. The next few years promise to be full of new challenges and ever more spectacular innovations.
Moreover, we are eager to see what the future holds for us, especially for our new office in France. So many possibilities! We still have a ton of customers to meet, products to develop, markets to explore and employees to get to know.
Who knows? Maybe you are the next entrepreneur with whom we will change the world, one tech at a time?