Most of the CSC videos convey (among other aspects) the 'life-changing' experiences of the participants. I knew it'll be a fantastic experience but wasn't too sure whether it'll tantamount to changing my life.
Well, it surely did!
I think it was the combination of influences (internal & external), multiple factors (visits, interactions, outings, the bonding, etc.), the work itself (its context, importance, clear cognizance of its final beneficiaries, rigors of the daily regime, etc.) and the myriad other aspects that make the CSC a top-notch leadership program. It wasn't like I was working hard to create my demos at my regular job behind a desk. This was closer to life. Here my work needed to be realistic and shaped by the context and constraints of the place and needed to be completed within a stipulated time-frame.
The biggest difference was that I could clearly see how and who my work will finally benefit.
It truly changed the way I look at life and work and most importantly the way I will see myself in the grand scheme of things. Now if that's not life changing - what is?
Here is a brief account of my Corporate Service Corps journey.
Inspiration:
Well, it surely did!
I think it was the combination of influences (internal & external), multiple factors (visits, interactions, outings, the bonding, etc.), the work itself (its context, importance, clear cognizance of its final beneficiaries, rigors of the daily regime, etc.) and the myriad other aspects that make the CSC a top-notch leadership program. It wasn't like I was working hard to create my demos at my regular job behind a desk. This was closer to life. Here my work needed to be realistic and shaped by the context and constraints of the place and needed to be completed within a stipulated time-frame.
The biggest difference was that I could clearly see how and who my work will finally benefit.
It truly changed the way I look at life and work and most importantly the way I will see myself in the grand scheme of things. Now if that's not life changing - what is?
Here is a brief account of my Corporate Service Corps journey.
Inspiration:
I wanted to use my domain
knowledge and willingness to make a difference along with IBM’s reach to solve
a real world problem.
Background:
- 14 IBMers from 8 countries and across skillsets comprised the CSC Kenya-9 team
- 4 sub-teams in all and mine was sub-team 3
- Ours was a 3 member team comprising myself, Hiromi Kawatsu (from Japan) and Mark Bolter (from USA) assigned to Amref Health Africa's Clinical & Diagnostics program
- Ours was a unique assignment as we collaborated with a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) PULSE volunteer (who is on a 6-months assignment at Clinical & Diagnostics) to leverage synergies. This model is a great success as she will be driving our recommendations and tangibles towards execution.
Outcomes:
With our interventions and with
our focus on ‘realistic’ recommendations and ‘sustainable’ solutions, we look
forward to Amref Health Africa managing its programs better, engaging
strongly with its institutional donors, digitizing their data
capture, using analytics to communicate impact and implementing e-learning
techniques to improve capacity building. These will help Amref Health Africa to
stay competitive in its line of work, continue attracting institutional
donors to support its execution budget.
My personal experience:
- I'm amazed by how eventful this one month was - we worked hard, accomplished what we came here for and also had so much fun. It was unbelievable how the 14 of us bonded almost instantly.
- Our stay was very comfortable thanks to IBM and DOT (IBM's CSC implementation partner). We experienced the lovely Kenyan culture (their food, music and the awesome people).
- We visited Masai Maara and Lake Nakuru and Naivasha and also trekked the Hell's Gate apart from other outings. Although trekking the Hell's Gate wasn't technical at all, I still had my moments :-)
- I learnt immensely from the country, our work and the members of my team - esp. Mark
- I realized what a bunch of motivated individuals could accomplish in just one month when they form a group and although creatively diverse in approaches yet are driven by the same vision
- Many a first during this trip and an overall great experience
My personal takeaways:
Well, thanks to IBM Corporate Service Corps, I returned home with a new perspective on life!- Listening skills - I have a new found respect for ‘listening skills’. To listen not to respond but to understand. Going forward, I’ll not only listen more intently (to the problem at hand/project requirements/etc.) but will also try to understand the ‘context’ and ‘constraints’ within which my recommendations will be operationalized.
- People focus - this experience has helped me to see that behind all these technologies, processes and recommendations, there are PEOPLE, and if we have a focus on the PEOPLE right from the outset, then these technologies, processes and recommendations become even more relevant and effective.
#ibmcsc kenya
No comments:
Post a Comment