Buenos Aires - First Week

I’m into the first week of Buenos Aires , we interviewed our client (Puerta 18), the kids. It’s really more in depth than just a business formula of assisting them to replicate their what they have done successfully so far into another francjhise. We asked questions, they replied willingly and with passion.   We had brainstorming sessions where everybody , include Puerta 18 team provided ideas on what they want out of the new franchise. To them it’s all about engaging in the kids’ lives , touching their hearts and to make it meaningful for them.  When we finished the interview with the kids, they were so emotional that they hugged one another.





Interview with Enrique

 

interview with Amanda

Learning together with the kids @ Puerto 18

Learning together with the kids @ Puerto 18

brainstorming session @ Puerta 18

P18 team !

 

Mate



Art of drinking Mate

 

Over the weekend, we went a charity organization , Fundación SI  where we help

baked empanadas (traditional local dish) for distribution to the homeless. This is a avenue where they can reach out and help the community.   Check out the movie which i made and uploaded to youtube.

 

 http://youtu.be/gRKcWiTo4-w

 

 

Met my Argentinan Shared Services colleagues

 

 

 

 

We also did some sightseeing at the famous Recoletar Cemetry, a local bookstore and the parliment. The weather was nice and cooling and was a nice break to a intense week.



El Altena ( Bookstore)

 

El Altena ( Bookstore)

Celebrated Rosemary's birthday

Catholic church

Habour port

Harbour port

came across a lake while jogging

came across a lake while jogging













 

My thoughts so far

In my work, I am quick to assist in team strategy and provide work knowledge. I am now in unfamiliar place and working with a new team. I am really taken out of my comfort zone and am stretched to the limit. I feel I need to contribute as much as much as possible but at times I  have a blank mind. But, at the end of day, isn’t this what social sabbatical all about – ie to fulfil ourselves as well as touching lives and assisting the community?  I learnt Google drive and made a movie, all in 3 days !

 

 

Social Sabbatical - Arrival to Buenos Aires

After 30 hours of flight, I finally arrived in Buenos Aires. There was some excitement on the plane (Emirates) and that is we had free wifi on the plane !  and of course I had leg cramps, after sitting for so long.

As you can see, I have jet lag now and doing some updates. Here’s a couple of pictures from Day 1 ( Team Activities) and Day 2(Kickoff)

 

I’m into my Day 3 at Buenos Aires. I was at the SAP Office for the Kick off and went on to interview my clients.  After a intense day, what’s on my initial thoughts before the trip on the client is very different from what’s really when we talk face to face with them. We will visit the client again the next few days and will consolidate all our sessions and will provide them a finalized scope of work by the end of the day.

 

Social Sabbatical - Argentina (Buenos Aires) 2 April to 30 April .. Part 1

When I told my friends I'm going to Argentina for one month of Social Sabbatical and it's a voluntary program to assist the community, the first thing that came to their minds if I am help to dig a well, build a wall or provide tuition to the kids there.
Social Sabbatical is a voluntary short term assignment for SAP's key talents to work mainly in the emerging markets to resolve business challenges for the NGO group in the education and social entrepreneurship sector. The assignment is meant to strengthen our leadership skills, build networks, work out of our comfort zone and think out of the box.

I was invited by the Social Sabbatical team in May 2015 to apply for this program.  The key requirements is that we need to have extraordinary performance ratings or under the talent program.  I sent in my application form and was interviewed by the project team. In July,  was informed that i'm assigned to Argentina in April 2016. (9 months later!). 12 candidates are assigned to the Argentina team.

Preworks- 6 weeks before the trip in April 2016
Booking of flights, hotels, checking visas and passports
We were given given assignments to find out more of Argentina- history, culture, food, society, economy and were given reading and video materials on how a voluntary program works. We also came up with our team name ( Los Buenos), mission and goals.



3 weeks before the trip in April 2016
We are given our Scope of work. I was assigned, together with 2 other team members, to assist Puerta 18, a non profit organisation that offers a variety of ICT courses, vocational learning and the task is to assist Puerta 18 to franchise their successful formula and roadmaps to the rest of Argentina. We researched on Puerta 18, interviewed our client and came up with agenda to conduct a onsite interview when we are in Argentina.

My thoughts so far
This is a exciting program and time for me.  I felt I needed to take a break from office work and this came along.  We need to work outside of our comfort zone and do some projects outside of my job scope. So far, i have built networks with people outside my arena, organised personal trips to Iguazu Falls for the team and acted as facilitator for the group in some of the assignments. I hope to build leadership, communications skills, humility and bring this back to my team in SAP.

My flight to Argentina : 2 April/30 hours including transit and stay tune for more news...... Janice Leong