Wrapping Up a Transformative Experience: Week 3 of our Social Sabbatical in São Paulo

Simon Poll
SAP Social Sabbatical
3 min readMay 4, 2024

Hello, friends and colleagues!

As our third week in São Paulo comes to a close, I’m excited to share the latest from our journey with the SAP Social Sabbatical program, where we’re doing pro bono consulting for Impact Hub São Paulo. Our team, which includes Heather from the UK, Saminder from Canada, and myself, is preparing to wrap up our work, and we are full of energy and enthusiasm as we head into the final week.

Team SAP@ImpactHub Sao Paulo — Saminder, Heather and Simon

Aligning Our Vision with Impact Hub’s Leaders

This week, we had the opportunity to meet with Pablo, the CEO of Impact Hub São Paulo, to discuss our approach and share interim results. The session doubled as a productive work session where we received valuable feedback and a fresh perspective on our approach from Laura and Carlos, who have been pivotal in guiding our project.

Final Preparations and Deliverables

As we prepare for our final presentation to the enhanced leadership team, our focus is on finalizing our recommendations and handing over the documents that will allow Impact Hub to realize our concept. Our goal is to leave them with a clear roadmap, ensuring they have the tools and strategies to maintain an active and engaged community.

Immersing in Brazilian Culture

This week was not all work, though!

On monday we had the chance to attend a soccer match between São Paulo Futebol Clube and Palmeiras, taking in the electric atmosphere of Estádio do Morumbi as a team of SAP consultants. It was a fantastic team-building experience and created unforgettable memories. Thanks to Carbono Zero for taking care of us!

São Paulo Futebol Clube and Palmeiras in Estádio do Morumbi

Wednesday was a public holiday, and Heather and I took the opportunity to visit Rio de Janeiro. We felt like we were in a picture postcard as we explored Christ the Redeemer, Ipanema, and Copacabana beach. The stunning beaches, green surroundings, and the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain were a delight to experience.

Rio de Janeiro

Excited for the Final Week

Now, as we gear up for our last week, we are fully energized and ready to bring our project to a close. We plan to finalize our research and recommendations, identify potential revenue resources, and develop a handbook for ongoing data management. This experience has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to share our achievements with Impact Hub and our SAP colleagues.

Reflections on Learning and Growth

Working with Impact Hub has been inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from their impactful work. Their dedication to inclusive and sustainable innovation aligns with our goal of creating a strategic roadmap that adds value to their global community. This journey has not only been about professional development but also about personal growth and cultural immersion.

Stay tuned as we head into the final week of our sabbatical, where we hope to leave a lasting impact on Impact Hub São Paulo and reflect on our transformative experience in this vibrant city.

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