Check In!
In this post you’ll get to know Paula Vivas-Avila and I, and we’ll also dive into the why, how & what of our 3 week project running from September 1st to 21st.
Why are we doing this?
The purpose of coming to the Bay Area for 3 weeks is to experience ourselves what happens in here in terms of 1) Innovation Challenges, 2) Collaboration and creative processes and 3) Work Culture. We are curious and want to understand more about how we can help companies & people in the future.
How can we experience and understand?
By listening, observing and collecting perspectives on work culture from as many people/stakeholders as possible. We want to talk to pioneering companies, unicorns, VC’s, startups, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, agencies, consultancies, co-working spaces, accelerators, incubators and anyone else who wants to share.
We focus on diversity and our aim is to talk to as many women as men, and people of different ages and background.
What will this project lead to?
A real perspective of the work culture in the Bay Area.
*Correction: Our own perspective on the work culture in the Bay Area
This blog is our place to share our learnings, questions, insights and reflections on the interactions we have during this project. We will introduce you to the people we meet, and what we experience, in the hope to inspire and start more conversations on work culture.
The Story of Us
Paula and I met on August 3rd 2015, when we both started studying Digital Business at Hyper Island in Stockholm. During the last year we became friends. We have laughed & cried together, challenged, supported and learned from each other, and worked together in Japan as Creative Consultants. Soon we will separate for new adventures, but first we are doing this passion project about work culture.
Meet Paula Vivas
Nationality: Colombian
Background:
BA in Business Administration.
6 years of work experience in Strategic Marketing and Brand Building at the corporate world -Tobacco and Media Industry.
Me in 3 words:
Passionate — Wholehearted — Intuitive
My best advice is:
Be present and open to the people in your life, it’s all about people!
Don’t give up before trying. Do it and see what happens.
A Sneak peak of my future:
Enabling people/companies to be more human, adaptive, creative and prolific
Exploring — Connecting — Reflecting — Enjoying Life!
Colombia and the world
Who I admire & why:
The Obama’s, because they lead by their values and principles.
My family, because they are my role models of courage, humbleness and love.
Meet Helene Schalck
Nationality: Danish (but really I feel at home anywhere and everywhere)
Background:
BA from Copenhagen Business School, Project Management & Sales, but 8 years working in service is what has taught me the most about work. Also SheSays Sthlm
Me in 3 words:
Energetic — Driven — Passionate
My best advice is:
Don’t try to be anyone you’re not.
A Sneak peak of my future:
Enabling businesses & organisations to discover unused potential. I am challenging peers and organizations to reflect on work processes and how to create happier, healthier and more innovative working environments.
Who I admire & why:
Johanna, my program manager at Hyper Island, because she is an amazing facilitator, learning designer and one of the most caring women I know. She is a bundle of happiness & signs off her emails telling people to Stay Golden.
Co-Written with Paula Vivas-Avila
