Brooks Automation’s Post

Investing in our future

A cornucopia of colorful fruits and red, orange, yellow and brown leaves is what I think of as we enter September. It’s also a month of mixed emotion as we remember the lives lost and affected on Patriot Day. Last year this time, we kicked off planning our first podcast delving into mental health in conjunction with September being National Suicide Awareness Month (our family has experienced the impact of feeling hopeless). September also represents renewal, reflection, and the need to prepare for change. True to our company values, it’s not just about making a difference and changing certain narratives; it’s about being the difference and the change through our five Es… Energy Flag football is on deck and we’ll work to improve our teamwork quotient along with building mental and physical acumen. Education, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship. We’ll welcome our fall season Morehouse interns and Georgia State University Panthers Accelerated Career Experience (PACE) program participants. Each team will be exposed to business and Entrepreneurship. Our second annual Push4Change is focused on exposing high schoolers to STEAM-related internships as an alternative to violence, in partnership with several vendors like The Edge Foundation (Blacks in Microsoft), Georgia Tech/Earsketch, Federal Aviation Association/Hartsfield Jackson, and many others (Education and Empowerment). Engagement We’ll embrace Hispanic Heritage by celebrating with our teams and giving thanks for their contributions. And…we’ll celebrate the fruits of the team’s labor on Labor Day while staying focused on the balance of the year and finishing strong with Best Burger 🍔 execution. …our work is never done. Hello September… #bethedifference #renewal #seasonschange #teamshine #the5Es

I was invited to Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business at Clemson University this week to speak in a series of panels. I was with five other alumni Jonathan Ridgway Kevin Lamberson Alice Crowder Danny Ortiz Bill Durrell of various business tracks and leadership levels. The students in BUS1010, which introduces freshmen to college, orientates them with the Business School and prepares them to pick their majors, had to prepare questions for us for their final exam. They inquired about our careers, entrepreneurship, resume building, internships, career progressions, salary negotiation, our time in college, and what we wished we had done differently. Here are the nuggets of wisdom shared collectively by the panel that seemed to crop up in every class: Constantly build your network. Be curious. Culture is super important. Take risks. It’s OK to pivot. Initiative & preparation will take you far. Be purposefully dynamic.  Communication is key. Verbal AND written. Read. Know about the world today. Special “kudos” go out to the students who stood up to ask the questions and who took the initiative to speak to the panelists one-on-one. It takes guts and shows leadership because it is hard - especially amongst your peers. I capped the evening at a Graduation/Networking Event for the Clemson University Leadership Signature Program. LSP provides a live learning environment for students, via a fully functional corporation run by students complete with projects, committees, budgets, and an organizational hierarchy with promotions. Special thank you to Bill Tumblin for inviting us into your classrooms and Keith Balts for hosting us at the LSP event. Based on what I saw, the future for Business - whatever path these students take - is bright. The students are also super fun and full of life (photo evidence below). #business #clemsonuniversity #curiosity #preparation #leadership

🎓 Graduation is a thrilling achievement, but it often comes with the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Last week, I proudly received my degree from York St John University, yet after completing a fantastic 3 years at university one question cropped up 'What's next ?'. 🌟 Amidst this uncertainty, I've come to appreciate the importance of having a solid team by your side. Starting my new journey at Newman Stewart has been an eye opener in this phase of transition. The support and expertise of a great team are instrumental in starting a new career. 🚀 Joining forces with an exceptional team has transformed my perspective on transitioning from academia to the professional world. The value of collaborative efforts, shared insights, and diverse perspectives cannot be overstated. They've offered guidance, shared their experiences, and provided a nurturing environment where learning and growth thrive. 🤝 Reflecting on this, I'm reminded of the significance of mentorship, camaraderie, and a supportive network. They serve as the backbone for personal and professional development. To those facing similar uncertainties, I encourage you to seek out mentors, build connections, and embrace the strength that comes from collective knowledge and encouragement. 🌟 Here's to embracing change, seeking guidance, and the power of teamwork in shaping our professional journeys! #CareerTransition #MentorshipMatters #TeamSupport #NewBeginnings #ProfessionalDevelopment #CollaborativeSuccess

Today, we celebrate International Youth Day! 🌟🌍 At Starbuck & Associates, we believe in the power of young minds to accelerate innovation and drive positive change in the business world. Their fresh perspective, adaptability and tech-savvy approach is an invaluable asset in today's rapidly evolving landscape. Investing in youth isn't just about shaping future leaders; it's about infusing our current organisations with new energy and insight. By creating space for young voices, we're accelerating the path to a dynamic, creative and resilient future. We're committed to supporting youth in various ways: 👉🏼 Mentorship programs 👉🏼 Internship opportunities 👉🏼 Reverse mentoring initiatives 👉🏼 Youth-led projects 👉🏼 Skill development workshops These initiatives not only accelerate the growth of young professionals but also bring fresh perspective that can propel organisations forward. Remember, every established leader was once a young person with big dreams. By believing in our youth and providing platforms for growth, we're not just shaping individual careers - we're accelerating the future of business and society. How does your organisation harness the potential of young talent? Share your thoughts below! #InternationalYouthDay #YouthEmpowerment #LeadershipDevelopment #AccelerateGrowth #FutureOfWork

“It’s been a remarkable year for the Calvin University School of Business, and the best is yet to come,” said Jim Ludema, Dean of the Calvin University School of Business. “Our students are analyzing case studies in the classroom, working on team projects in the MBA, starting their own businesses, and adding value to companies through capstone projects and internships. Through these experiences, they are developing the knowledge, skills, and character they need to succeed and become innovative, ethical leaders in their future organizations and communities.” Read more about the 12 milestones in the past 12 months since the opening of the new Calvin University School of Business building. https://lnkd.in/ghBqFxHn

👏“It's not failure, it's feedback!” says Lisa Ordóñez, one of our Board Members and Dean at the University of California, San Diego - Rady School of Management. As a female leader and “double first generation,” Dean Ordóñez is a source of inspiration who overcame obstacles with resilience. As someone who has faced similar challenges, she strives to provide opportunities to underrepresented groups to decide their future paths. Moreover, Lisa applies the concept of “reverse mentoring” in the workplace, appreciating both younger and older perspectives, and facilitates multigenerational communication and understanding. [Reframing failure] Lisa believes that: “Sometimes you will start things that won't work, but that doesn't mean you can't start something else! So work hard, do what you can, and when that's not working, you're not a failure, you're just learning. It's not failure, it's feedback!” So while you’re learning from setbacks, gain inspiration from Lisa’s Top 5 Summer Reads to develop your soft skills, such as conversation and influence. To learn more about Lisa Ordóñez, watch her interview here: https://lnkd.in/ev_5eQE9 Kudos to our UC San Diego Digital Marketing Manager Summer Interns, Chih yu Liu and Wenpu Zhang, and Graphic Design Summer Intern, Jacie Littell for putting this together! #inspiration #inspirationalquotes #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #education #diversity #changemaker #reversementoring #ucsd #rady #business #careeradvancement #summer #summerreading #summerreadinglist #books #oceansideperspective #innovation #technology #entrepreneurship

Super proud of this smart & tenacious young women!! Many of you in my network know her dearly. Many of you have already worked with her on projects, in operations or in talent allocation. If you are not already connected, send her a connection request; she is definitely looking to build out her network! If anyone is looking for support in project management, organizational development or people & culture, give her a shout!! Abigail Knol #ProjectManagement #OrganizationalDevelopment #Consulting #TalentOperations #TalentSupport #PennStateGrad

Birmingham DEI Hub Results: Key Insights We had an engaging and insightful time at the Birmingham DEI Hub, and we're excited to share the key results from our discussions and polls. Here's a look at the top ways to engage with communities and improve organisational culture based on your invaluable feedback: Top Ways to Engage with Communities: Inspiring Leadership Initiatives in Schools: Leadership presence and engagement in educational settings. Inclusive Recruitment Imagery: Ensuring that recruitment materials reflect diversity. Community Festival Partnerships: Collaborating with local festivals like Mela in Cardiff to create brand awareness and discuss job opportunities on-site. Career Days and Parent Evenings: Engaging with both students and parents during career-focused events. Confidence Workshops: Hosting workshops aimed at building confidence within communities. Mentorship and Work Experience: Offering individual mentorship and summer internships to underrepresented groups. Connecting with Faith and Community Centres: Building relationships with local community organisations and faith centres. Top Ways to Improve Organisational Culture: Management and Leadership Development: Implementing programmes focused on developing leadership skills. Leadership Training on Soft Skills: Emphasising curiosity, supportiveness, assuming positive intent, respect, and authenticity to build psychological safety. Employee Understanding: Taking time to know employees and tailoring approaches to individual needs. Reverse Mentoring: Encouraging reverse mentoring to foster mutual learning and understanding. Psychological Safety: Having tough conversations and creating a safe space for open dialogue. Development Programmes: Providing comprehensive development opportunities for employees. Strong Communication Strategy: Maintaining clear and consistent communication across the organisation. These insights are instrumental in driving progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their valuable perspectives. Let's continue to work together to create more inclusive and supportive environments. #DEIHUB2024 #BirminghamHub #CommunityEngagement #OrganisationalCulture #Inclusion #Leadership #Diversity #Equity #EmployeeResourceGroups

I'm often asked "What can I do to support you?" or "What can I do to support Black CPG professionals?" As we kick off Black History Month, here's something you can do today, here and now. I started Black Futures Fellowship in 2020 because, as I was scaling Partake Foods, I saw a talented yet homogenous talent pool. I saw an opportunity to open doors early for HBCU students while they are thinking about what careers are available and right for them. The Black Futures Fellowship was born from this vision in 2020, and we've made significant strides as a 501c3 organization in 2023/24. However, there's a challenge we're facing. In the final hour, several companies had to withdraw their commitment, and we have 6 talented students left without matches. It's unfortunate, but it won't deter us. In these times, I have to focus on putting feeling to action. And I want to get these students placed. 👉🏽 So, here's the ask. I have 6 amazing HBCU students looking for paid summer internship opportunities in CPG food & beverage. They are ready to talk to folks and all vetted by me and my team. If you have a network, an opportunity, an idea—for any of these potential fellows—please like and share this post, comment, and DM me. Let's get this done for these kids. Thank you in advance. Happy #BlackHistoryMonth. Let's help some #hbcu students start their futures. Together, we can make a lasting impact.