At Eighty20, a consumer analytics company, trusted by some of South Africa’s most prominent brands, success is not only driven by the quality of insights derived from data but also deeply rooted in the culture that surrounds and empowers those insights.

Cindy Meijboom, who leads People and Operations at Eighty20, puts it simply: “We bring both the head and the heart to data.” This balanced philosophy is more than a guiding principle, it’s woven into how the organisation operates, enabling teams to collaborate, innovate, and ultimately deliver impact.

While technical expertise in strategy, analytics, and research is essential to Eighty20’s work, it’s the human element, values, collaboration, and shared purpose, that elevates the company’s offering. The individuals who work here are described as bright, curious, and ambitious thinkers, empowered by a culture of trust and connection. Core values such as curiosity, teamwork and innovation are actively practiced, not just displayed, and play a pivotal role in shaping how the company performs.

A Distinctive Approach to Talent

What distinguishes Eighty20 isn’t just the calibre of talent it attracts, it’s how that talent is brought together and enabled to thrive. Teams are made up not only of analysts, actuaries, and data scientists, but also of strategic minds, empathetic collaborators, and real-world problem solvers.

❝ Great talent is everywhere, but what sets us apart is the way we work together.

According to Meijboom, “Great talent is everywhere, but what sets us apart is the way we work together.” At the heart of this success is a culture rooted in mutual respect, low hierarchy, and cross-functional collaboration. This creates an environment where people feel safe to speak up, think creatively and grow. Key ingredients in building high-performing teams.

Building a Culture That Works

Eighty20’s commitment to culture is intentional and reflected in how its teams are supported and empowered. The following principles are foundational to how the company enables its people to succeed:

1. Ownership and Accountability

Eighty20 doesn’t view ownership as a top-down directive, and culture isn’t confined to a vision statement on a wall. These qualities are embedded in the way teams operate, make decisions and deliver for clients.

❝ You can’t expect people to take ownership unless you actually give them ownership

“You can’t expect people to take ownership unless you actually give them ownership,” Meijboom explains. At Eighty20, team members are given clear goals and the autonomy to determine how to achieve them. This balance of structure and freedom creates space for accountability to flourish, ultimately driving performance and innovation.

2. Equipping Teams for Success

To truly empower people, the right tools and frameworks must be in place. Eighty20 places strong emphasis on equipping its teams with the practical support they need to succeed, from templates and toolkits to processes and mentorship.

Meijboom points out that once a strong foundation is in place, people feel confident stepping into responsibility: “If we get the foundation right, they’ve got permission to take responsibility and then we let them.” This approach ensures teams are not only empowered but also equipped to deliver consistently high-quality outcomes.

3. Making Space to Recharge

Eighty20 recognises that high performance requires more than just hard work, it also requires balance. Informal moments of connection, such as a quick game of FIFA, a laugh in the chill area, or a walk outdoors, are seen as essential to team wellbeing and creativity.

Meijboom reflects that these lighter moments help teams to recharge and reconnect so that they return to their work with greater clarity and energy, often bringing new perspectives and sharper thinking. This rhythm of work and rest is part of what keeps the company’s teams engaged and aligned.

Culture as a Driver of Client Success

Internally, a strong culture sets the stage for external impact. When teams are confident, aligned, and free from distractions like red tape or office politics, they’re able to focus on what truly matters, delivering value to clients.

❝ When you’re free from all the blockers such as red tape, ego and posturing, you’re able to think your best, act your best and do your best, which at the end of the day means success for our clients and for the company.

As Meijboom notes, “When you’re free from all the blockers such as red tape, ego and posturing, you’re able to think your best, act your best and do your best, which at the end of the day means success for our clients and for the company.”

A Culture That Nurtures Excellence

In an age of advancing technology, Eighty20 continues to prioritise the human element in its work. While tech tools accelerate processes and boost efficiency, the company believes the irreplaceable qualities of human intelligence, like creativity, ethical judgment, and intuition, will always be central to meaningful insight and decision-making.

As Meijboom puts it, “People bring context, lived experience, creativity, intuition, ethical reasoning and nuances that technology can never truly replicate.” It’s this perspective that keeps Eighty20 focused on building strong, thoughtful teams who can deliver not only accurate data but transformative outcomes.

At its core, Eighty20’s culture is not simply a backdrop for its work, it’s the engine that drives it. In a competitive industry, it’s the people, the values they uphold, and the way they work together that continue to set the company apart.

 

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