Global partnerships and marathons: how it all connects for Scott, our business development director
Recently, Scott picked up a book called The Way of the Runner by Adharanand Finn. It explores the fabled world of Japanese marathon running.
For Scott, this book has been enlightening. Scott read this book to find ways to become a better runner, learning the insights as to why some countries deliver better runners than others. By studying how successful running cultures approach marathons, he’s arrived at some amazing insights — ones that extend beyond running. For Scott, these insights relate to his job at VEON, where he works to improve our digital platform by making global partnerships, with globally recognised brands and innovative new digital start-ups.
While marathons and global partnerships may seem like two entirely different things, there are important connections. Here are four key ones:
1. Preparation requires hard work and a smile
As Adharanand Finn notes in The Way of the Runner, the marathon monks of Mount Hiei have a notoriously harsh training schedule. They literally run more than a marathon distance for 1,000 straight days (yes, you read that right) as a path to true enlightenment.
Scott, who’s now busy preparing for the Berlin Marathon, has been inspired by the way Japanese runners train — but maybe without being as ‘enlightened’ as the marathon monks of Mount Hiei. He’s also building on the structured effort of Japanese marathon runners, while also taking a cue from the Kenyan runners, who make running feel natural and fun. Because you should both train hard and have fun.
If you dig deeper, Scott’s strategy actually echoes the words of Emil Zátopek, who was a great Czechoslovak long-distance runner. As Zátopek stated,
“If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.”
In many ways, Scott approaches his work at VEON like it’s a marathon. He values preparation, but also soaks up the journey.
“Internally, we’re creating a new culture from scratch. With partners, we’re moving fast and breaking stuff,” exclaims Scott. “We’ve figured out how to change our value proposition with partners. The progress we’ve made is incredible.”
To Scott, the positive developments VEON has made with global partners are attributable to the preparation process. Building something from the ground up hasn’t been easy. But it’s been rewarding. Preparing for a marathon should feel the same way.
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2. Being in tune with others drives you forward
In The Way of the Runner, Finn covers Japan’s famous long-distance relay race, the Ekiden. The race takes over two days and covers nearly 220 kilometers. While having spectacular individual talents is vital to winning this epic race, it’s ultimately teamwork and unity that separate the good from the great.
The word Ekiden is composed of two Kanji’s 駅 and 伝 meaning station and transmit. The original concept of the Ekiden was that each runner will run the distance of one station to another, then pass on their sash or ‘tasuki’, aka collaboration.
Like it is in the Ekiden, the need for teamwork is absolutely critical for multinational companies. Those global teams that can empathize with one another are able to overcome obstacles more effectively and achieve sustained success.
Erin Meyer, a professor at INSEAD and expert on managing multicultural teams, writes that this is why companies need to look for leaders with the “know-how to coach your global teams on cultural differences” and “successful experience in leading a multicultural group.”
From his work experiences and study of running cultures, Scott has come to this realization, too. At VEON, where Scott’s working to bring third-party brands onto the platform across our 12 markets, he and his team must not only be on the same page, they must empathize with partners.
“We have to tailor models that work for partners, which means adapting to different companies, cultures, and markets,” states Scott. “Right now, we’re focusing on three verticals: ride-sharing, e-commerce, and insurance. This sounds straightforward, but every partner has different wants.”
This is precisely why the ability to empathize is a highly valued soft skill when it comes to global partnerships. You have to be in tune with what partners are seeking from the relationship.
“When I look for people to join our team at VEON, I want people who can be empathetic, who can find ways to work with various organizations to help them reach their unique goals,” stresses Scott.
In the Ekiden, if a relay team can’t work together and understand each other’s abilities, then the whole team will falter. In the world of global partnerships, if both sides aren’t in tune with each other’s goals, then neither partner will succeed.
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3. Your classroom is everywhere
Many of Kenya’s great runners come from the Rift Valley, a gorgeous area where it’s said that everybody runs. In this high altitude region, many children who aspire to be marathoners run to and from school each day, honing their abilities. This gives them time to learn how to maximize their body’s capabilities and optimize their times.
For Kenyan marathoners, the best training sessions are right outside. That’s the beauty of being a runner: Lessons are all around you.
The same goes for global partnerships in the world of tech. That’s why, when Scott advises younger workers at VEON, he talks about learning from what’s around you. As he explains:
“Use your context to learn. There are always things to be learned that are right in front of you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and even suggest new ideas. Our global partnerships are built around tech, and tech is about a new way of doing things. Stay alert and intellectually curious — and you’ll find a better way.”
When working with a global team and partners, learning from context is all the more essential. Andy Molinsky, a professor at Brandeis University’s International Business School, writes that team leaders must “understand the different cultures” and “potential for misconception and miscommunication,” while understanding individual personalities.
For Scott, the key to accomplishing what Molinksy talks about is by learning from your environment. When you’re working with partners, you learn from your interactions and keeping an open mind. Then, you’ll be able to come up with solutions that benefit both. Like with marathon running, the classroom is right in front of you!
4. Fortune favors the bold
According to a Latin proverb, “Fortune favors the bold.” For Scott, this phrase connects to both marathons and his work at VEON.
After all, it takes guts to run a marathon (look for Scott in the London marathon next year!). Cycling 100 miles — which Scott plans to do — also takes audacity. All the effort is worth it, though. Because big adventures bring big rewards.
The desire to be part of a bold undertaking is why Scott decided to take on the global partnerships role at VEON. He wants to push himself — just as a marathon runner would to reach the finish line.
“The opportunity at VEON is just incredibly exciting, because we’re going all-in on digital transformation — there’s no turning back,” exclaims Scott. “We’re creating something new and we’re pushing the realms of what’s possible in the digital world for our customers and partners.”
In marathons, runners are pushing the realms of what’s possible, too. At the 2014 Berlin Marathon, Dennis Kimetto, a Kenyan, recorded the fastest marathon time in history, finishing in 2:02:57. Now, that’s just downright amazing considering we once believed that the 4-minute-mile barrier couldn’t be broken.
It’s time to run
For Scott, forging global partnerships isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon that passes through varying terrains and hurdles. By preparing hard (but smiling too), empathizing with others, learning along the way, and taking bold leaps, the finish line can ultimately be reached.
Handshakes can be made. And our customers can benefit from a platform that delivers a truly contextual and personalized Internet experience.
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