Asbury Automotive Group’s Post

Following the successful conclusion of our “Plant Cultivation Initiative” from July 1 to September 1, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of teamwork. This initiative, which brought together different teams to cultivate and nurture plants in our garden, reminded me of a crucial lesson: while teams may be diverse, they can unite around a common goal. Throughout the month, I witnessed a variety of people come together—each bringing their own unique perspectives, skills, and ideas. We had teams, each with their own ways of working and approaches to collaboration, yet we all shared one purpose: to help our garden grow. Whether it was planting seeds, tending to the soil, or creating flags to represent our efforts, we worked hand-in-hand, learning from each other along the way. The result? Not only did our plants bloom, but so did our relationships, communication, and understanding of what it truly means to collaborate. 🌸 This initiative served as a powerful reminder that teams don’t have to be the same to succeed; they just need to be united in vision and effort. It’s amazing what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose. A huge thanks to everyone involved! Looking forward to more opportunities to grow—together. 🌱 #Teamwork #Collaboration #Growth #Sustainability #Community

I’m not idealistic, but I believe having an ideal is good. It gives your perspective of what to work towards (instead of having to work against the consequences). A very good example is technical debt. To be more precise, the kind in which a team deliberately cuts some corner to accomplish something. Will there be a situation where that was the only way given the time pressure? Maybe. Is it good to accept that to be normal? Not at all. We should aim at having clear principles to avoid cutting corners, or putting lipstick on a pig, by all means possible. Doing that pragmatically as well - based on what we know now, develop something fit-for-purpose. And then be relentless about fixing those shortcomings, be it deliberate or emerging, immediately after. Just like a gardener will aim at taking the best care possible on all things around their garden…

"That the f*ck is culture?" One takeaway from a week of Cannes panels is that it's not necessarily the value of the answers you hear on stage, but the questions you ask yourself. In this session hosted by Brands&Culture, it was interesting to hear 5 different definitions of culture, but all through a specific marketing and brand lens. If nothing else, it inspired me to think more critically about my own definition, as well as how brands can and should engage. Culture is an interconnected web of shared interests, logic, language, beliefs & values that binds a group of people. The tightness of these webs has a direct implication on how connected a group feels. In some cases, brands are naturally adopted within cultures, and in special occurrences, cultures emerge around brands. I was lucky enough to experience this first hand during my time working on MINI and NBA 2K. But in many cases, brands try and enter culture the same way too much of business is run today. Much like the hunter-gatherers of our past, it's all about exploring the landscape to identify opportunities, and then exploiting them to harvest the value of the resources. When there is nothing left to gain, we move on to 'greener' pastures. Alternatively, brands can take an agrarian mindset to ensure their long-term place within a culture. Within the RADAR community, we often use the 'gardening' analogy in our futures work which can also be borrowed for culture. To quote gardener-writer — Georgina Reid, gardening is a framework for engagement in our world, grounded in care and action: “To garden is to care deeply, inclusively, and audaciously for the world outside our homes and our heads. To be a gardener is to give a f*ck. To be a gardener is to be invested in a place — to know it, to protect it, and to be present.”

Team Work-ing. I often find that Autumn is quite an emotive time of year, especially when harvesting arrives. It signifies the drawing to a close of summer, and the introduction of Autumn when Mother Gaia goes into hibernation to recover and recharge. As children we celebrated this with harvest festivals and taking food in to school to be given to those who were in need. Last night while on my evening walk, I stood and watched the local farmers' magnificent tonka toys cutting the wheat and loading it onto containers. At this stage it was after 7.20pm and the light was starting to dim. I know from experience that these men will be out until at least 11.30pm working to bring the crops into the grain drying stores, often not getting home until after midnight to eat their dinner before bed and back up again before 6am to start again. Watching their vehicles cutting and working in unison is a delight and they have this routine down to pat. This is team work at it's finest; • Putting aside any ego • Staying focused on the job at hand • Knowing what needs to be done • And knowing how best to position yourself to grab the baton when it's your turn to step in • Putting in the extra hours when necessary at peak times • Staying focused and motivated to start again the next day until the job is done It might sound 🧀 but those are the facts. And just like any business, the work won't stop when the crops are all in. Next it will be muck spreading, then turning the land ready for spring and seeding. Let's not lose sight of the fact that these men are out working all hours 365 days of the year so that we can enjoy locally grown food. And with that note, let's support local businesses, and most of all, let's support not just our local farmers, but all farmers - and buy as dorect as possible. Without them we would not have fresh, healthy foods to eat and enjoy!

Embracing teamwork is crucial not only in the animal kingdom but also in our professional lives. Dung beetles serve as a remarkable example of collaborative efforts. These diligent insects play a vital role in ecosystems by effectively recycling organic matter. In the process of dung removal, dung beetles demonstrate synchronized teamwork to transport and bury dung. This collective effort ensures environmental cleanliness while also contributing to nutrient cycling and soil health. Much like in the business world, the efficiency and effectiveness demonstrated by dung beetles underscore the benefits of collaboration in achieving common goals. Let's draw inspiration from nature and recognize that teamwork is key to success, not just in the animal kingdom, but also in our human endeavors. 🌐🌱 #Teamwork #Collaboration #ProfessionalDevelopment #NatureInspiredLeadership

Have your chance to share your experiences in the sector by joining the Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscaping & Garden Media Sector webinar on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion 🌷 The seminar, hosted by Gamiel Yafai will explore how leadership can create a more inclusive culture throughout the industry. Being held on 2 May, read more to discover how you can get involved. 👉 https://buff.ly/3WkrZ1o #Diversity #Inclusion #Equality #Horticulture #Arboriculture #Landscaping #Webinar

Last week, I shared Behold's ethos, a seemingly simple seven lines that will provide me focus on my journey. I'll dive into each one a little more over the coming weeks, so let's start at the beginning. It's been interesting to really think about who my end customer is. At its core, Behold is built for the wildlife it observes. Referring to animals as "customers" might stretch traditional business terminology, so bear with me, but it's been a pivotal shift in mindset. (No, that wasn’t a 'bear' pun you missed just there). Behold's mission extends beyond just observation. It's about fostering a connection between humans and nature. But in order for that to benefit nature, it requires an approach that respects it from conception to reality – from securing ethical funding and streamlining our operations, to meticulously choosing eco-friendly materials and components, down to encouraging daily user behaviours that prioritise wildlife welfare. By placing wildlife at the centre of our design philosophy, it challenges us to consider the broader impact of our creations. It's a reminder that true innovation isn't just about advancing technology, but about advancing our understanding and respect for the world around us. And lastly – we of course cannot overlook that we’re animals too. Our actions ripple through the ecosystems we share with other species. Behold is our commitment to acknowledging these connections, making choices that honour our collective home, and encouraging others to do the same. Behold is made for animals.

You know, building a community around sustainability ain't just a fancy idea – it’s how we can make real change happen, right in our own backyards! It’s all about rallyin' folks who share that same passion for Mother Earth and creating a network that supports each other. Here are a few tips to kickstart this journey and turn your good intentions into solid actions. First off, start local. Get your crew together for a meet-up. Could be a potluck in someone’s backyard or a picnic in the park. Bring some tasty dishes made from local ingredients, chat about what sustainability means to you, and swap stories. That’s where the magic begins! When ya get to know one another, folks feel more connected and inspired to pitch in. Next up – share resources! If you’ve got a ton of extra zucchini from your garden, don’t just shove it in the fridge to rot. Share it with your neighbors. Maybe start a small seed exchange or tool library. It’s amazing what folks can do when they’ve got some extra seeds or a gardening hoe at their disposal. And don’t underestimate the power of a good old-fashioned gardening club. It gets people involved and engaged. You could do group planting days, or even help each other learn new skills like composting or preserving. Plus, it’s a heck of a lot of fun! Lastly, let’s not forget to support local farmers and businesses. Buyin’ local not only helps the economy but also builds a sense of trust and community. And if you can, bring folks together for a community garden – it’s a fantastic way to grow food, learn from each other, and strengthen those bonds. So, get out there and start building that community. It’s all about connection, support, and working together for a greener future. Changing the world starts right at home, one neighbor at a time! #SustainableCommunity #GrowTogether #LocalMatters

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 - Once upon a time in a small village, there was a large, barren hill that no one could climb. The villagers believed it was impossible to plant anything on it, as the soil was rocky, and the slope too steep. Year after year, they struggled with food shortages, knowing that if the hill could grow crops, it would provide enough for everyone. One day, a young villager named Arjun gathered the people and said, “𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫? If we each bring our unique skills, maybe we can turn this hill into fertile land.” The blacksmith volunteered to create tools to break the rocks. The farmers agreed to bring the best seeds and teach others how to plant. The carpenters built terraces to level the ground. Even the children and elders helped by collecting water from the nearby river. Day by day, they chipped away at the hill, planting seeds and watering them with hope. What was once seen as impossible slowly transformed. By the end of the season, the hill bloomed with golden crops, providing more food than the village had ever seen. Through collaboration, the villagers realised that together, they could achieve what had once seemed beyond their reach. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲. In the corporate world, this story serves as a powerful analogy for teamwork and collaboration. Just as the villagers overcame the challenge of the barren hill by combining their skills, organisations can achieve extraordinary results when employees from different departments and backgrounds work together toward a common goal. Whether it's launching a new product, solving a complex problem, or navigating change, the combined expertise, creativity, and dedication of a diverse team can make the impossible possible. 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞, 𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲. #collaboration #teamwork #possible #powerofunity #outcomes

“How to weave the social aspects ‘S’ of ‘ESG’ in my daily life?” — I thought. These aspects are applicable in corporate projects of any scale, in fact. A project team from NUS will be coming to teach my neighbors and I about composting in organic gardening. I have given some thoughts about the social aspects ‘S’ of the activity: 1. Educate myself: Take the time to learn about issues in my neighborhood that are both important to me and my community. 2. Engage in conversations: Continue conversations with my neighbors about the issues. Share my thoughts and listen to my neighbors’ perspectives to create a space for meaningful discussions. 3. Volunteer: Find groups that focus on the causes that I care about and offer my time and skills. 4. Be a responsible consumer and neighbor: Make conscious choices as a consumer by supporting businesses that prioritize social responsibilities. In this case, support local businesses that sell organic gardening products. Support my neighbors by sharing plants, tools, etc. 5. Foster inclusivity and diversity: Create an inclusive environment in my daily life by embracing diversity and equality. Actively seek out opportunities to learn from and engage with people from different backgrounds. 6. Be an example: Embody “E” and “S” values and principles in my actions, and encourage others take green actions. #esgindailylife #socialaspectsofesg #organicgardening #nus