Manzana.’s Post

Attended my first event in over 12 months last Thursday night with Daniel (first Fynd team event too yeeeey.. well half a team, Adam was on baby duty🫡🙏!) - Thank you #DisruptHR and to all of the inspiring speakers who shared with us. I was a little too excited to be out and about at nighttime (post-newborn life 😆) and indulged in (probs a few too many) wines while catching up with people I hadn't seen in a long while. It was fabulous!   I find it important to reflect after attending an event on the topics and thought provoking pieces that resonated with me. It really helps to solidify the learnings (that the wine tries to remove from my memory 😐😅!). Plus, I love sharing knowledge, so here's a tiny, tiny snap of what stood out for me.   🧠 AI was a big theme of the night and the benefits it ADDS to employee experience. - Holly Brailsford showcased using AI to personality profile and values align for mentorship programs and the importance of the right "fit" when partnering people together. - Vicky Andrews showcased how utilising the #SFIA framework with AI code matching capabilities to identify skills gaps and cross match CVs/skills can be used to develop personalised training programs and clear progression paths. I can't wait to see and hear more about these in practice in the world of HR! There's so much potential!! 💫   🎨 Another fav segment for me was by Caroline Starecky who discussed the importance of empowering a growth mindset by leaning into the art of drawing outside the lines. As children, it's not instinctual to work in the lines, however through being raised in society it becomes the norm. The good news is we can unlearn this through the 4 Cs: - Cultivating creativity, ask your people and get them involved wherever you can, - Confront challenges, embrace them and lead by example, - Celebrate success & FAILURES! Celebrate the "trying" even if it fails, learn from these and move forward, and, - Commit to continual learning.   Know of any other awesome HR/people/tech based events happening in Brisbane this year? Drop them below 👇 - I don't want to miss out! 

This month I'm sharing another of Engaging.io's #Culture Codes: Be Positive! Sometimes in life we’re asked to do things that are just plain wrong. Sometimes we’re asked to things that seem impossible. Anyone can say no to a request to do the impossible, but only a few ever make the effort to understand the elements of the ‘possible’ that exist within the request and find a solution to make them work. As a #HubSpot #Elite Partner we are in the solutions game and so like many businesses, it's our job to find ways to say yes when other people can't. Most of the time when someone asks you to do something that seemingly can’t be done, they know that this is the case. They’re asking (mostly) because they have someone asking them, or because they can’t think of an alternative solution themselves. Taking the time to understand their motivation, then working with them align their objectives with your own isn't easy, but it isn't rocket science. Unless your clients are rocket scientists, then it might be... We have 4 steps to providing clients with a positive experience: 1. Don’t just ‘react’ to things. Your initial response is unlikely to always be the best one. Take time to reflect, consider and evaluate the issue at hand. 2. Be empathetic. Put yourself in their shoes. Or sandals if it’s summer. 3. Think about consequences. Successful businesses have a great reputation. That takes time to build but can be lost in an instant. What clients say about you to the rest of the world makes a difference, so make sure they’re saying the right things because you're doing the right things. 4. Align your objectives. If any two parties have opposing objectives, there will always be conflict, disharmony and dischord. The only way to resolve that is to find a way to align the objectives of both parties. That may take some reframing, compromise or even moving of goal posts, but it is achievable and it is the only path to a harmonious relationship. Both in and out of work... #Engaging.io's Culture Codes are our user guide of how to live and breathe our values through our actions. If you want to know more, get in touch. 😀

'Culture', its an often sensationalized word in the workplace, especially among tech startups. And with increasing competition for talent, the sensation is amplified. While there are many quotes on what culture is or should be, I particularly like Brian Chesky's quote "Your culture is your immune system against crisis" because fires will come from all angles when running a startup. And healthy culture can help with 'gut feeling' troubleshoot mechanisms, helping you put out those fires efficiently and economically. Eric Partaker Partker shared some of his learnings in culture building over the past two decades and 3 learnings particularly resonated with me: - Failure must be repositioned as an opportunity to grow - Culture is not about uniformity but rather diversity, and - Great cultures are empathetic cultures If you haven't signed up for his newsletter, you should! Back to culture in the workplace. Yes a workplace is rarely built for 'a family setting', but rather high performance interactions. What are the foundational values on which your culture is built. For me, it's to 'Be Kind Always'. Oluwatimilehin Akogun is always clear to make the distinction between 'kindness' and 'niceness', which I completely agree with. You can give critical feedback with kindness, you can have diagreements with kindness, you can even terminate an employment contract with kindness. Being kind is so underrated. It's for this reason I am always excited to hear about Hitchhikers whose journeys have ended with Farmz2U. When they do move on to other awesome things, the rapport established with kindness allows me cheer them on publicly and privately. Like Marquis Abah, our first ever intern who has just graduated from Unilag University and is now leading front end development projects at awesome companies. Like his shirt says, he is making things happen! #BeKindAlways

Start Strong: Internal Belonging I attended the 2024 #Learn2Leard conference themed: “Belonging in the workplace”. To be honest I’d never quite given the matter of belonging much thought until now. As I was considering the external factors that I can influence, I kept thinking that there is a relationship between the extent in which an individual feels like they belong within themselves and how they feel like they belong in a specific environment. I believe that one belongs first within themselves before they do in their external environment. And those who have a deep sense of belonging from within are most likely to advocate for belonging in the external environment. So my question is, how can we create a sense of belonging within ourselves? #StartStrong

Feedback in the moment! Last week I stood on the stage at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins and shared my ideas on #growth and development in my keynote, 'Your Drive Mindset' for Sportsbet. I got to see the reaction of 500 people to my ideas. Many of these ideas about #performance, #growth and #wellbeing I share in my keynotes and programs with leaders and teams are featured in my upcoming book, 'Make work work for you.' (Link in comments to win a free copy) Given I won't get to see people's reactions as they read the book, it's encouraging to see the impact my work is making already. (And let's be honest, writing this book has been HARD and lonely so I hold on to these energising moments!) In the lead up to this keynote with Sportsbet, I spoke with the organising team about how I deliberately design and deliver my workshops to be inclusive of our neurotypes- our different brain types. They were happy about this. I can thank my Autistic ADHDer daughter for this fire I have in my belly and my own brain that loves learning for spending 70+ hours on PD in this space. We're all neurodiverse. It's 'Neurodiversity Celebration Week' this week and it's an opportunity for everyone to celebrate their brain. (Link in comments for free resources to help you do this). In Australia, I believe we have a long way to go to understand, celebrate and harness neurotypes in our world of work. I recently learnt from Ngaio Parker that it's standard practice for most tech companies in Silicon Valley to provide noise cancelling headphones to new starters. This 'Neurodiversity Celebration Week,' let's champion our unique brains at work. Inspired by tech companies' embrace of noise-cancelling headphones, it's clear: small changes make big impacts. My journey—from stage insights to book writing—reinforces my drive to encourage workplaces where everyone's neurotype is not just accepted, but valued. Here's to making work work for us all. #leadership #neurodiversitycelebrationweek

✨ Unleash the Power of Neurodiversity: Lunch & Learn Edition! Get ready to spice up your lunch break with a dash of enlightenment! Join us for a Lunch & Learn session that's all about celebrating the unique brilliance of neurodiversity in the workplace. 🌟 WHAT: Lunch & Learn - Dive into the world of Neurodiversity! ✨ WHY YOU HAVE TO BOOK THIS: Break the Myths: Explore the facts and debunk the myths surrounding neurodiversity. Let's create a workplace that thrives on understanding and acceptance. Real Stories, Real Impact: Hear inspiring stories from individuals who have thrived in their careers, showcasing the incredible contributions of neurodiverse talent. Interactive Insights: Engage in eye-opening discussions and activities that foster a deeper understanding of neurodiversity. Spoiler alert: It's about unleashing creativity and innovation! 🌈 POSITIVE VIBES ONLY: Neurodiversity is not just a concept; it's a superpower that fuels our collective success. Let's celebrate differences, embrace unique perspectives, and create an environment where everyone can shine. ⭐ Book your Lunch & Learn - if you're ready to be part of a workplace revolution that champions diversity and inclusivity! The ‘Lunch & Learn’ session covers the awareness level of our consultancy work, making people conscious of language, terms, and meanings to feel more confident about the subject of neurodiversity.  1 Hour Lunch & Learn and 30mins Q&A Don't take our word for it, here's what Urfan Ali of Babbasa thought! Get in touch today: devon@self-agency.org #NeurodiversityChampions #LunchAndLearnRevolution #self-agency.org

Exploring Company Culture: IT Services Edition Curious minds, let's delve deeper into the vibrant tapestry that defines our IT services company. The culture here isn't just a catchphrase; it's our guiding principle. 💡 At JNT, we embody these values through tangible actions: 🤝 Collaboration: Our weekly "Innovation Jams" bring together teams from different departments to brainstorm solutions for our clients. This cross-pollination of ideas has led to some of our most groundbreaking projects. 🎯 Innovation: Last year, our "Hackathon Week" resulted in the development of a proprietary software that streamlined operations for a major client, saving them 30% in costs. 🌱 Growth Mindset: From sponsoring advanced certification courses to hosting in-house workshops, we empower our employees to take charge of their professional development. Many have risen from entry-level positions to leadership roles within a span of just two years. 🌍 Diversity and Inclusion: Our commitment to diversity is reflected in our mentorship program, where seasoned employees provide guidance and support to newcomers, ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to excel. 🌟 Client-Centric Approach: When a client faced a critical deadline, our team worked round the clock, including weekends, to ensure they met it. This dedication not only saved the account but also led to an expanded scope of work. 💬 Now, I'm intrigued to learn about the cultural cornerstones at your IT services companies. What practical steps do you take to nurture your workplace culture? Share below! 👇 #CompanyCulture #ITServices #Teamwork #Innovation #ProfessionalGrowth #DiversityandInclusion #ClientSuccess #LinkedInCommunity #TechIndustryInsights

#TalentMVP2023 Let's connect and amplify the success together! 🎉 #TalentMVP #Recognition #CareerMilestone"

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 There are more pillars to cultural behavior and how it must be executed in order to have a safe and positive environment in the workplace than there are in the Pantheon; Nevertheless, these pillars have to be built if a manager decides to keep their experts satisfied. At Paratech, we recognize the significance of a company's culture, which has a profound impact on both individual performance and collective achievements. We have methodically established our foundation upon three essential pillars: 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 🌟 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴: Our foremost priority is the mental and emotional well-being of our employees. Within our inclusive and supportive environment, asking questions is not only encouraged but celebrated. This practice not only lightens the workload but also underscores the value of curiosity. 🌈 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆: We wholeheartedly embrace diversity, recognizing it as a source of not only exceptional outcomes but also creativity. Every voice within our community is valued, fostering an environment where opinions carry weight, and we gain profound insights into well-being. 🎉 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Acknowledging that work is just one facet of life, we create opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment. While we remain dedicated to our mission, we also facilitate team bonding and fun, strengthening our connections. 𝗪𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁, 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀, 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. #companyculture #techculture

I think one of the reasons culture change is difficult is because everyone in the organisation doesn't have the same view of what's going on. The thing is, I doubt they ever will. We all carry with us our unique history and experience, as if we are seeing the world through our own unique pair of glasses with multiple layers of lenses. What we can do, is understand more about each other's perspectives, increase our empathy and try and surface our hidden assumptions. If this is something you would like to get better at in your organisation, we (GoFish! Collective) are running a free taster Swimulation; an online workshop which helps uncover hidden assumptions in teams and organisations who are wanting to improve their culture. It's on the 11th October, 2-4:30pm (BST) Find out more and register: https://lnkd.in/euMJ5vwi GoFish! Collective #culturechange #futureofwork #newwaysofworking #hrinnovation #learninganddevelopment