Category: THE BACK STORY

The Back Story – Rachna Verma

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Our Monthly interview with one of the ADAPTOVATE team. Each month we ask one of our team from around the world to answer a few questions. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our stories with you.

Special COVID-19 11th question edition.

This month we sat down and spoke with Rachna Verma – a consultant in our Australian office.

Rachna at Table Mountains, Cape Town.

THE 10 QUESTIONS

1. First up – how long have you worked with us?

From March 2019, 15 months

2. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

I’ve been working in Transformation/Agile for 6 years. Firstly in Finance Transformation for an airline and secondly as Product Owner in Financial Services.

I relished both roles and saw the positive effects of change and how Scrum Teams can solve problems when collaborating together. I enjoyed the pace of Agile and Scrum and the value the team was delivering to its customers.
It was now the time to take the leap and coach Agile teams which has landed me here at ADAPTOVATE. I have a real passion for helping others and since starting at ADAPTOVATE in March 2019, I’ve been solving client problems, building consulting skills, broadening my toolkit, working with an incredibly talented team and learning constantly.
Its been an amazing journey and one I’m very grateful for.

3. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

I’m a Chartered Accountant and having a finance/business background has been a great asset. My Accounting qualifications have enabled me to work in professional services, inflight catering and financial services. Over time my interests developed in projects/continuous improvement work and this utilised capacity outside of the critical month end period.

I enjoyed finding ways to solve problems that kept recurring at month end and without action, would continue to occur. My first role in Transformation/Agile was for an airline in a Finance Transformation team and just quietly I. WAS. THRILLED.
The airline had just announced a significant headcount reduction and it was the responsibility of the team I worked in to get Finance prepared to operate with reduced FTE.

I jumped into a finance projects role at a large Australian bank and worked on various projects and fortuitously for me, Agile was rolled out. After receiving training, teams were formed and the team I was in was worked closely with Consumer Bank, Business Bank and Group Finance to improve reporting.
With my newly found PO hat on and a great scrum team, collectively we delivered three applications to enhance and improve performance reporting.
I have fond memories of working with supportive and engaged customers, weekend releases into production environments and a “one team” view working towards critical deadlines. Would I do things differently? A resounding no! My work experience in accounting has set me up to understand finance which is valuable in and outside of work and I’ve been able to leverage this and my previous work experience now as an Agile Consultant.

4. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

Work/life balance is key, its one of the great things about working in Sydney. I do this by putting boundaries in place. I’m a morning person so exercise is key to reducing stress and having the energy to be able to tackle the day ahead.

I try to finish work at a reasonable time to allow me to indulge in cooking, films, yoga, book club and catching up with friends. There are some long days but the great thing about being on a case team at ADAPTOVATE is that ‘we’re all in this together” and the long days are temporary.

5. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

Organised, Organised, Organised! It’s the only way to be when you are facilitating back to back ceremonies. Colourful sharpies and post it notes brighten up my study and having an adjacent wall is great to set up visual tools.

6. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

No I don’t unfortunately but it would be a good improvement to add to my workshop runsheets!

7. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

Technology has helped and improved so many things! I can FaceTime and text message family and friends overseas. Long gone are the days of cranking up huge phone bills to stay in touch! COVID-19 has shown me how good technology is at keeping us connected and working. MS Teams, Zoom, MIRO and JIRA are a few tools that have really helped in sharing and communicating information whilst remote working. I’m constantly impressed at innovations in technology and its positive effects:

  • Drone technology to deliver vaccines and essential medical supplies to remote countries and isolated areas
  • School children spending their pocket money to 3D print PPE equipment for healthcare workers
  • Automakers and a collaboration of engineers, intensive care specialists, a manufacturing company and a university research facility creating ventilators I am concerned about the jobs of the future and how much they will be impacted by AI.
I think there are still some things best left to humans, I don’t think you can accurately  ‘code’ empathy.

8. Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly. (and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

COVID-19 has forced businesses and companies to change and adapt incredibly quickly and its been very interesting to see the following changes implemented:
  • Rapid rollout of WFH technology. Projects that would take years were rolled out in a few weeks
  • Accelerating small business loan approval process
  • Automating ID verification for banking purposes
  • Accepting e-signatures on bank documents
  • Telehealth technology rapidly rolled out to provide patient care and safety to healthcare providers and patients
  • Museums and galleries offering virtual tours of their exhibits
  • Live theatre transitioning to videos of script readings and rehearsals
  • Guided virtual gin tastings with the tastings posted to you
  • Distilleries shifting production from alcohol products to hand sanitiser
  • Luxury brands pivoting production lines to sew and create nursing and medical scrubs; and face masks

9. What does success mean to you personally?

To me, success means to set a goal, plan the steps needed to achieve the goal, implement; and then achieve the goal. In addition, being happy both personally and professionally and know that I am delivering value to my clients is equally as important.

10. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Have an open mind, believe in your abilities and seize every opportunity. You never know where it might lead you.

Special 11th Question – How have you found 2020, and working through life and work during COVID?

2020 started off wonderfully with all my extended family but very quickly turned sad with news of the devastating bushfires. I was full of optimism and was looking forward to new work opportunities, adventures, travel and personal growth … and boy did I get the last one! It has been a very tough and challenging three months since March but I think that’s the same for most people, no one saw a global pandemic coming.

There is less uncertainty now but back in the midst of lockdown I knew I was doing all I could in my control to maintain a level of safety and sanity. Its good to remember that at the end of a downer there is always an up and Sydney and Australia are on the way up thankfully.
Advice I heard recently was “don’t waste a crisis, crisis is where careers are made. Know your strengths and supercharge them and lean in to your passions”

So it got me thinking of the benefits of COVID-19:

  • It helped the client meet their project deliverables. I think the teams would have struggled to achieve them in normal circumstances but remote working brought us together and we achieved our goals with high alignment and high autonomy
  • Time to slow down and focus on what is important
  • The realisation of how little we actually need to survive
  • How important the simple things really are and the difference they can make Technology has been a huge contributor to the effectiveness and success of remote working.

I would not have been able to deliver value to ADAPTOVATE and clients if I didn’t have access to tools that enable collaboration and communication. Personally, sticking to a routine has helped. I continued with morning exercise which helped me to focus on the day and have the energy to deal with various curve balls. I found an activity that I wanted to improve so road running commenced and I’m working on improving cadence to improve my time. We have a Strava group at ADAPTOVATE and its great to see everyone’s activity. Having the time to cook is a luxury and I’ve indulged in trying out new recipes and enjoying the simple pleasures of a well cooked weeknight meal.

You can reach out to Rachna on Linkedin here

The Back Story – Krzysztof Mysior

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Our Monthly interview with one of the ADAPTOVATE team. Each month we ask one of our team from around the world to answer a few questions. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our stories with you.

This month we sat down and spoke with Krzysztof Mysior – a consultant in our European office in Warsaw.

THE INTERVIEW – 10 QUESTIONS.

1. First up – how long have you worked with us?

I have been a part of ADAPTOVATE for about 10 months

2. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

Before joining ADAPTOVATE I worked in both multinational corporations and consulting companies, where I focused on digital strategy and marketing. After several years in strategy consulting, I was looking for a smaller, multinational organisation that would provide me with close knit relationships between employees and the opportunity to work on a daily basis with different client stakeholders, ADAPTOVATE provided both.

3. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

I was always driven by curiosity and challenges, hence my choice of experiences was focused around these two and from the perspective of time I would not have chosen other motivators. Doing something interesting that motivates you to progress and develop as a professional is rewarding.

4. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

I think that work-life balance is determined by one’s priorities and is subjective for every single person. Irrelevant of that proportions of work to “real” life is, it is important to feel that you have the space for personal growth and maintaining your support network (family/friends). Personally, I am happy with the work-life balance I have in ADAPTOVATE.

5. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

I believe that having a large desk and monitor are a game changer. Having the freedom to put down 2-3 physical note sheets next to your computer, while having two documents open for editing, for me, dramatically increases comfort and productivity.

6. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

This is an interesting question as I have not incorporated music, in any meaningful way, into my workshop, maybe it’s time to give it a go 🙂

I believe in the ingenuity of the human mind and that we will find ways to tackle these challenges, however a greater level of cooperation is needed if we wish to succeed. Click To Tweet

7. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

I believe that technology has been the great liberator and driving force of both social and economic development in our society. It has allowed for social mobility, vertical progression, merit and competence driven occupations on a large scale and has liberated billions of humans from starvation and poverty. On the other hand, we face long term costs of rapid development in the form of environmental/habitat changes and global warming. I believe in the ingenuity of the human mind and that we will find ways to tackle these challenges, however a greater level of cooperation is needed if we wish to succeed.

8. Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly? (and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

A company that I have been observing, I think everyone has been, that was able to shift their business and go into venues that I did not see it heading, but after some time it made perfect sense is Amazon. I think that it is a blend of having a concrete vision of where you want to your company to go and that values should the organisation represent and how to create a mechanism to adapt to changes in the market allowing for course adjustment. Agile allows for both, even though on the surface they seem like antagonising forces, how can a concrete vision/plan be flexible? But through adequate mechanisms, leadership, company culture and mentality this can be achieved.

9. What does success mean to you personally?

Being satisfied with the work I do and seeing that it is allowing me to develop the skillsets that I personally find most valuable.

10. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Not much, maybe tell him that being happy with one’s own development is more important than benchmarking to others in your peer group. It wouldn’t be harmful to give some confidence that the “great idea” to buy a couple hundred stock of Citigroup when it hit 1$ in 2009, it’s that risky and worth a try 🙂

The Back Story – Sonya Doshi

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Sonya with her husband and parents.

Our Monthly interview with one of the ADAPTOVATE team. Each month we ask one of our team from around the world to answer a few questions. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our stories with you.

This month we sat down and spoke with Sonya Doshi – our talent scout in Los Angeles.

  1. First up – how long have you worked with us?

I have been with ADAPTOVATE for 6 months

  1. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

I first heard of ADAPTOVATE through a family friend who works at this company, Alan Trivedi. Alan had nothing but great things to say about ADAPTOVATE and from our initial conversation, I could hear his enthusiasm about the company, Team Members and Partners.

I wasn’t actively looking for a new role at the time however, after having a conversation with Simmy (Chief Talent Scout) and two of the Partners (Doug and Paul), I instantly started to feel that this is where I belong. A company that encourages collaboration and team work and an environment which celebrates hard work and achievements. I’ve always been apart of an HR team however, I have worked in a couple of different industries.

The consulting world was new to me but with the support of my Team, Colleagues and Partners, it did not take me too long to adjust. Overall, I love the Talent Scout role! I get to learn so much about our candidates and I get to be my cheerful/peppy self throughout the day.

  1. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

After graduating from college, the first opportunity that came my way was in the Human Resources department for a logistics company. I started off as a HR Admin and started working my way up. In 2016, I grew into a leadership role and I was certain that I wanted a career in Human Resources/Talent Acquisition.

I decided to go to Graduate School for a Masters in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership. If I could go back, I would not change a thing. I am happy with the experience and education I have had so far because it allowed me to have a career opportunity at ADAPTOVATE. I could not be happier with the company and people I work with.

  1. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

I am very luck to have a balance between my work life and my ‘real life’. My day typically starts at 9AM and ends around 6:30PM. ADAPTOVATE is great about making sure we have a work/life balance. I feel that having a good balance is the key for productivity and feeling energized to go to work everyday.

For many people, it is hard to avoid responding to emails after an 8 hour work day, I struggle with that from time-to-time. I feel that responding to a quick email can be as easy as responding to a text message from a friend. Even though none of my Team Members at ADAPTOVATE are expecting a response from me over the weekend, I sometimes seem to think that my response will help the work move along quicker.

Over time, I have started to change that habit and be more present with my family on weekends and evenings.

Sonya with her husband in Italy

  1. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

I do work from home majority of the time. I set up an office in a spare room when I was offered this job. Even though the spare room has been converted into an office, I have not used it once. I enjoy working on my dining table, I spread out my colorful pens, notebook, laptop, water and enjoy the sun shining through from my backyard.

Working from home was an adjustment for me, I am an extrovert so I really enjoy the in-person interaction with colleagues.

For anyone that is new to the work from home set-up, here are a couple of tips that may help:

1. Environment – Try to work from a place that has lots of natural light and has a view to the outside. When your eyes feel strained from looking at your computer, give them a window break, take a look outside or even go for a quick walk.

2. Morning Routine – Try to wake up at the same time as you would if you were going into the office and change out of your bedtime clothes.

3. Schedule – If possible, keep your work day within your normal working hours to allow yourself time to unplug and rest. Make sure to incorporate breaks into your schedule: Go for a walk, make a cup of tea and try to stay present in what you do. You’ll may notice that a mindful break is energizing.

  1. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

As a Talent Scout I spend most of my day on video calls/phone calls. I don’t have many opportunities to listen to music during the day. If I do though, I usually like to listen to Coldplay in the background.

Success to me is living with authenticity and having a curious mind. Sonja Doshi - our talent scout in LA. Click To Tweet

  1. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

Technology has really helped people stay connected throughout the globe. With family in so many different parts of the world and having different options to connect with them though Facebook, Facetime, etc., it has really helped me get through different stages of my life.

I do feel a sense of concern regarding young children having too much access to phones, tablets and video games. I love the fact that kids can stay connected with their loved ones through technology but I do believe that having a balance is important.

Everywhere I go, be it grocery stores, malls, restaurants, etc., I am almost guaranteed to see a toddler with their eyes glued to a screen. I am impressed with the amount of programs and apps that are are available to help children develop different skills; I also believe that a limit should be upheld.

  1. Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly. (and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

The company that instantly comes to mind is, Amazon. Over the years, the company adapted to the change in technology as well as their customers’ needs and wants.

Amazon continues to introduce new ways of online shopping. Amazon’s initial focus was on selling books and today, you can purchase anything on Amazon and have it at your doorstep the next day. They have been able to evolve this far because they value change and adaptability.

  1. What does success mean to you personally?

Success to me is living with authenticity and having a curious mind.

  1. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Celebrate even your smallest accomplishments in life!

Sonya in San Diego

You can connect with Sonya on LinkedIn 

The Back Story – Fiona Royall

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It’s our monthly interview with one of our ADAPTOVATE team from around the world. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our employee’s own story with you.

Our The Back Story header

This month we interview our senior consultant in Melbourne, Fiona Royall.

1. First up – how long have you worked with us?

1 year

2. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

I was looking for new opportunities through my networks and ADAPTOVATE was recommended to me by a friend. I started out my career working for corporates but after a few years identified consulting as the area I would like to work in. Before joining the ADAPTOVATE team I’d already been working in digital consulting for a couple of years. I was intrigued by ADAPTOVATE as I had never worked in a start-up environment before, I have previously worked with large organisations. The team also put me through my paces across the interviews so I respected their due diligence and got a window into what the way of working and culture would be like. The relationship ADAPTOVATE has with BCG was a drawcard.

3. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

As I grew in my career, I gained a good idea around what I wanted. I started out in marketing and through that landed in digital marketing. I enjoyed digital because it was constantly changing so it kept things interesting. I knew I wanted to travel, to be able to work across industries and companies to gain as much experience as possible and learn. I had also seen companies struggle with change brought on by digital so wanted to be able to apply what I had learned to help other companies on their journeys. So I began to explore opportunities in digital consulting. Now what I do is broader than ‘digital’ and more encompassing of innovation and transformation. I wouldn’t change my journey.

4. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

ADAPTOVATE is supportive of work-life, I would not be here otherwise. You are able to have honest discussions with leadership and the team around it which makes a huge difference. It can be a struggle at times, mostly when travelling as you are away from home, your loved ones and routines so it can throw things off balance if you allow it. I try to balance work with my ‘real’ life by managing expectations of those I work with and being protective of my life outside of work. It is of critical importance to me; being able to maintain a life outside of work makes me a better person when I am at work as I’m more rested, energised, happy and healthy.

5. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

At home, I have a stand that can sit on top of a table that allows me to work standing up which allows me to not be stuck sitting all day. I have a portable stand that I take everywhere that means my screen is eye level, with a keyboard and mouse. I have also recently invested in blue light glasses. I learnt the hard way how important it is to have good ergonomics. I like to be organised, and I also try to change locations where I can, so I might start my day working out of a local cafe before heading home. When I work from home (and more generally) I aim to get outside over my lunch break and go for a walk to get some air and recharge ahead of the rest of the day. I return much better for it.

6. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

I do. I tend to look for Spotify playlists that are suitable background music that doesn’t distract or overwhelm the people in the room. Their Office Playlist usually works well.

7. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

What stands out is the ability to connect with people all around the world. There are also productivity gains which ideally allows people to focus on higher-value activities or frees up time and capacity. I’m a big proponent of quality output over hours worked. I have many concerns about the impact of technology: ethics, misinformation, privacy and use of personal data, and the impact on how we interact with the world (if you look up while on public transport you will likely see everyone glued to their phones).

8. Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly. (and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

Amazon stands out for being able to adapt their business model over time and embracing agile. You can read more on the agile side of things here https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2019/06/02/how-amazon-became-agile

9. What does success mean to you personally?

I aspire to be good at what I do, enjoy what I’m doing and whatever follows, follows.

10. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Nothing. I trust she will find her own path.

Fiona Royall sitting at Yosemite

For more monthly interviews with our ADAPTOVATE team, you can visit here.

The Back Story – Slawek Koziol

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Each month we interview one of our ADAPTOVATE team from around the world. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our employee’s own story with you.

This month we interview our senior consultant in Warsaw, Slawek Koziol. Slawek is based in Poland,  however his current project engagements have taken him to a number of Western European Countries, as well as the Middle East.

 

THE INTERVIEW – 10 QUESTIONS.

  1. First up – how long have you worked with us?

I just hit my half-year mark. I started in July 2019.

 

  1. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

I started my professional career in consulting, to find myself one day in a situation when a client asked me to put my money where my mouth is and actually take a hands-on role in implementation of concepts I helped to develop. That was a beginning of a wild roller coaster ride – I learned banking inside-out from some of the most talented people in the business.

Eventually, I found myself leading large scale transformations and assuming responsibility for significant part of day-to-day business operations. The thing I always loved the most, however, was working in direct contact with people and helping them grow.

ADAPTOVATE gave me a chance to come back to consulting and use the knowledge and experience to work directly with client teams and help grow the Warsaw office.

 

  1. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

Experience from both consulting and client slide broadened my perspective and put many useful tools in my toolbox. I learned something from each and every one of the talented people I met along the way. I’d like to think that there’s a little bit of them in me. I consider myself very lucky. No, I wouldn’t have done things differently. No regrets.

 

  1. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

There’s only so many hours in a day and you only have a finite amount of energy you can spend working. That energy has to come from a good source so dedicating enough time to healthy sleep, food, exercise and space for thinking is essential. The thing I get the most positive kick from though is my family – my partner and two daughters.

I’m mostly only home for the weekends but it’s the girls who make sure my energy cup overflows. (Kudos to all the wonderful women out there who juggle many roles and responsibilities at home with such mastery and grace – you never get enough credit for it from your guys!)

 

  1. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

I really don’t need an office to do my work. Over the years I’ve learned to work anywhere where I can open my laptop. Living with three girls and two (female) dogs in a mid-size apartment has got me fighting a losing battle for shelf and table space at times.

I would often work on a windowsill, a barstool or a couch. If I’m lucky, I’ll get a small part of the kitchen table that’s not cluttered with my girls’ stuff or dog snacks. I keep telling myself that one day I’ll get my man cave filled with boys’ toys and a proper desk. Like a Batcave. Only smaller. Much smaller. And yes, it’ll be organized.

 

  1. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

Music has always been an important part of my life. I have played a couple of instruments myself since I was a kid. Before streaming era I used to carry several iPods with me all the time. They were my most prized possessions – filled with many gigabytes of my life.

For workshop and training sessions I sometimes let the group choose the music they want. Sometimes I pick the music myself. It always goes with the emotions I’m after. It could be anything – a catchy dance tune, something with thought provoking lyrics or a popular film score.

 

  1. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

I feel sad every time I see technology replacing human interaction. I strongly feel that technology should encourage and enrich human interaction instead of replacing it. Some say humanity will actually end up being the “biological boot loader for AI”. That we are larvae unknowingly morphing into beautiful machine-butterflies.

Though it might be unavoidable at some point, I find that future rather gloomy and the notion concerning. But before any of that actually happens, we will have to deal with an era of technology- augmented humanity. Already we have all the global knowledge available at our fingertips. Accessing information is no longer a problem. It’s how we use it that matters. Can we use it in an ethical way? For the benefit of humanity?

I subscribe to Einstein’s thoughts on widening our circles of compassion (somehow we have been evolutionary conditioned and restricted to our own personal desires and affection for only a few persons nearest to us). I believe our restricted circles of compassion are the root of all evil of this world. Imagine what would happen if we could significantly widen them. I hope that technology at some point will enable us to do that. Seeing people unite through social media for a good cause warms my heart. I wish we could see more of that. I like to entertain that thought.

I subscribe to Einstein’s thoughts on widening our circles of compassion ...I believe our restricted circles of compassion are the root of all evil of this world. Slawek Koziol in our latest The Back Story interview - up now Click To Tweet

 

  1. Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly. (and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

It’s not the strongest who survive but those who can adapt to change. Change happens fast and adaptability seems to be the main competitive advantage now. One of my favourites is still Netflix, though there are many other non-obvious examples from traditional industries like oil&gas, banking or retail.

My all-time personal favourite is Lockheed’s Skunk Works, who employed agile ways of working long before agile was a thing and made history with some of the most iconic designs and technology that remains awe-inspiring decades after it was introduced. One thing for sure, embracing agile ways of working is not a fad – it’s a way to survive and thrive in the current business world.   [editor:  If that’s got you thinking head over to the official Skunk Works website to read up on them more ]

 

  1. What does success mean to you personally?

Sharing and enjoying the sense of growth and accomplishment with other people. Period.

 

  1. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Always look for people smarter than you and learn from them. Stay true to yourself. Have faith. Be kind and generous. Don’t take life too seriously. And have fun!

 

 

The Back Story – Tan Tiong Yeow

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Our Monthly interview with one of the ADAPTOVATE team. Each month we ask one of our team from around the world to answer a few questions. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our stories with you.

This month we interview our senior consultant in Singapore, Tan Tiong Yeow.

  1. First up – how long have you worked with us?

9 months

  1. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

I was previously in human capital consulting, helping clients tackle challenging issues in people and organization. I was very fortunate to be involved in a digital organization transformation project with a Filipino client. In the project, we redesigned an organization that drives Agile ways of working in three areas of structure, capability, and leadership. We were also able to stand up a couple squads to test, learn and refine in the journey. This piqued my interest in Agile and coincidentally was approached by Simmy (Adaptovate’s talent scout). (editor: You can find Simmy here on Linkedin)  I decided to accept the opportunity and I would say that it has been a very fulfilling 9 months in Adaptovate.

  1. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

In my career, I was able to cross paths with people from diverse backgrounds, culture, and experiences.  That really helped me to broaden my perspective and learn to appreciate there’s always a reason behind the way people behave the way they did, even at times when it seemed illogical. I wouldn’t have done things differently but I would have taken more initiative in the past to make more connections with people.

  1. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

I believe in work life integration rather than work life balance. When you know that your work is developing you to be a better person professionally and aligned with your interest, the line between work and life is blurred. Nevertheless, it is important to me to be present in whichever situation, be it in work discussions or at a dinner with my loved ones and friends.

  1. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

I usually work in the kitchen at home. I like working in environments with natural sunlight and the kitchen works for me. Furthermore, the assurance that food is nearby always makes me more at ease and relaxed. In terms of keeping it tidy and organized, since I like to clear the kitchen top before cooking because I want to keep my laptop away from the smoke and grease, that worked pretty well in ensuring that I don’t end up with a messy work area at home.

  1. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

Music helps to change the mindset of the clients when they step into the room. It signals to them that this is not their usual meeting and keep them loosened up in the session. I have a playlist that I have refined over the years for workshops with clients. It is a mix of oldies and modern pop to cater to participants of most ages.

  1. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

Technology has tremendously helped us connect better with loved ones far away but at the same time, it is also putting distance with those that are close by. In pursuing adoption of technology in communication, we need `to be cognisant that we are not replacing face-to-face human interaction with virtual ones. Ultimately, nothing beats having a chat with people over a meal and coffee.

  1. Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly. (and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

I’m really impressed with how Microsoft has transformed itself over the years. Windows operating system was deemed to be a more inferior OS than the likes of MacOS and Linux. However, in the recent Windows 10 OS, it was able to compete head to head and even managed to convert a few of those Apple loyalists over. Furthermore, it also diversified into hardware development and expanded its cloud computing services. This really demonstrates that even a behemoth like Microsoft is also able to undergo transformation and reinvent itself fundamentally.

  1. What does success mean to you personally?

Success means that I am able to look back with no regret and look forward excitedly to what the future holds.

  1. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Put myself outside of my comfort zone more often. Stretch myself to be more sociable and make more friends.

“My weekend escapade with my dog while on a Bangkok client case”

 

You can read more interviews with our team here 

The Inner Story – Technology and Humanity

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The Inner Story 2019 series.

What’s the Inner Story series? These are the hidden stories from our The Back Story team interviews in 2019.  When we went back and looked at all our interviews over the past year we noticed some powerful themes surfacing.    So we thought what better way to count down to 2020 than share some of these with you.   

 

THE INNER STORY – THE PREVIOUS ROLES AND WHAT I’VE LEARNED QUESTION

We asked our team how they thought technology has best helped humanity and do they have any concerns about our future?

 

Caitilin Studdert -Project Lead, ADAPTOVATE, Australia.

Yep, technology which provides a ‘voice’ for those who don’t have one, is incredible. Even social media I’m not afraid of as I’ve been exposed to it for so long and am aware of the messy parts and best bits. The concerns are mostly environmental and I’m hoping I’m supporting this as best I can. When I  am appalled, are in rare scenarios where technology replaces interaction and empathy.

Chelsea Bates – Principal, ADAPTOVATE, Australia.

Yes it has helped connect us, although always been contactable has its downsides. I love being able to call and see my friends and family who live overseas and interstate. The future of AI is fascinating and I am interested in how governments and organisations are dealing with the ethics of AI.

Steve Walton – Project Lead, ADAPTOVATE, USA.

I think technology enhances everything. Enhances the negatives as well as the positives. We can have too many gadgets or use too many tools and make our life difficult. My recommendation is to stay aware of what tools are out there but changes only every year or so to let people get used to using them. The concern I have for the future is that we forget to bring everyone along. We have a huge potential to develop a future in which technology enables greater social inclusion, as we simplify interfaces and potentially make access to services less expensive.

Brigitte Odgers-Jewell – Project Lead, ADAPTOVATE, Singapore.

It’s hard to keep up with technological advances and all that AI is doing for humanity. I am so grateful that I can connect with my family at any time, from anywhere and on any devise. It has made my choice to move to Asia and leave my family in Australia so much easier. To know that I can not only talk to them but see them at the click of a button is very comforting. There are countless people around the world that have to leave their families to go and work in far off destinations this technology makes it a little easier.

I am not really concerned about the future from a technology perspective. We are adaptive, creative and inquisitive creatures. What does worry me are our world leaders and governments keeping up. There needs to be a plan to keep people relevant and embrace technology at the same time.

Katy Hughes – Consultant, ADAPTOVATE, Australia.

Technology has helped humanity in more ways than I can possibly describe or do justice to in this short interview – it impacts almost everything we do on a day to day basis. As someone who lives in a different hemisphere to the majority of my friends and family, the ability to feel connected to them is what I value most, and technology allows me to do so. I don’t think technology should be something humanity feels threatened by, as long as it is treated with the respect it deserves – it should be used to enhance our lives not replace humanity.

Michal Bak – Principal, ADAPTOVATE, Poland.

I am watching closely the development of AI. But I always look at it from the human perspective – what does it mean for us, humans? how will our jobs and professions change? what kind of new skills will be required? I want to be able to help people and organisations adapt to the new reality

Kayla Cartwright – Senior Consultant, ADAPTOVATE, USA.

Technology has democratized knowledge in a way that makes me hopeful for students who might not have access to information or experiences based on where they live. At the same time, I have great concerns about how technology is going to impact kids’ (and adults’) ability to relate to one another and interact across lines of difference.

 

You can read more interviews with the team at THE BACK STORY

The Inner Story – Previous Roles and What I’ve Learned

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The Inner Story 2019 series.

What’s the Inner Story series? These are the hidden stories from our The Back Story team interviews in 2019.  When we went back and looked at all our interviews over the past year we noticed some powerful themes surfacing.    So we thought what better way to count down to 2020 than share some of these with you.   

 

THE INNER STORY – THE PREVIOUS ROLES AND WHAT I’VE LEARNED QUESTION

We asked our team has their previous experience and career helped define where they are now? Would they have done things differently?

 

Caitilin Studdert -Principal, ADAPTOVATE, Australia.

Absolutely. I use every single part of my career experience daily. I’ve had numerous temporary roles and some very long term positions as well. It’s the people I’ve interacted with in the roles that have taught me the most, not the function or the responsibility of that role. I’ve had some incredible bosses and for each of them I could recite their mantra and often do daily in my work still.

What would I do differently ? I would recognise that my failures (in projects and in job applications) have taught me more than my successes. My first job as a 14 year old as a casual taught me as much as any professional job I’ve had since. no regrets on career: my choice of marketing initially was brilliant as it enabled me to focus on people and teams, and now in consulting I’m surrounded by people, teams and aspirational goals which I love.

 

Chelsea Bates – Principal, ADAPTOVATE, Australia.

My career has taken a curved path with new opportunities and skills to learn with each role. I moved from accounting to sale across industries and with small private companies to large ASX organisations. They have all helped with the different skills needed for the role I am now in. On reflection, I wouldn’t have done anything differently as I have learned so many new things and had the opportunity to work with so many fantastic people.

 

Steve Walton – Project Lead, ADAPTOVATE, USA.

My previous career included being part of an industrialised project management system. I was always the rebel, seeking ways to do things differently. It became natural to implement Agile processes and mindsets whenever I could. My reputation was one of: *Strong prioritisation – to ensure we focused on the most valuable work by removing distractions of work that would never be done *Removing waste – Identify what didn’t need doing and simplifying process *Extreme visibility – showing the status of all our work to drive conversations about progress and blockers I would have spent more time talking about why I was making the changes.

Consulting has taught me about the importance of bringing a wider group of people along the journey of change.

 

Brigitte Odgers-Jewell – Principal, ADAPTOVATE, Singapore.

My entire life has been about trying new things. Travel and adventure have been a passion from a very young age. I spent time in hospitality running restaurants and bars in my youth. I spent a couple of years running a dive resort and then went on to travel the world on cruise ships as a photographer and later a croupier. These jobs gave me great insight to people and culture all around the world. It was a wonderful time. In 2004 I was introduced to corporate life when I took on the roll of Webmaster for a Bank in Queensland. This organisation would introduce me to Agile and the rest is history. Learning and experimenting was expected and encouraged. The friends that I made at work are still my best friends today to the point where we still get together and have reunions around the world. It is true, the teams that play together stay together! I’ve seen what good looks like and it boils down to leadership at every level. Looking back, I think I made some good choices and took whatever opportunities I saw, I’m happy with that.

 

Katy Hughes – Senior Consultant, ADAPTOVATE, Australia.

I came into the industry straight out of university, joining a graduate scheme at a large company. Being exposed to so many different types of people, opportunities and ways of working meant I learnt an incredible amount in a very short period of time. Working in such a large organisation across a variety of projects I quickly learned the basics of project work, what I did and definitely didn’t want to do and what kind of person I aspired to be. Personally, I don’t think there’s much I would have done differently career wise. Having early exposure to some incredibly talented people made me understand the value of respect, integrity and hard work in this industry so I make sure I carry these values with me every day.

 

Michal Bak – Principal, ADAPTOVATE, Poland.

I have always been eager to try new things and that for sure defined where I am today. Accepting new challenges and then relentlessly focusing on delivering impact became part of my DNA. In addition, working for different organisations in different countries and cultural contexts helped me become more sensitive and humble. Would I do things differently? I don’t think so… I always try to take decisions based on my best current knowledge, and then take full responsibility for them

 

Kayla Cartwright – Senior Consultant, ADAPTOVATE, USA.

Sure, there are a few times I would have liked to either fail faster/ learn faster. All in all, I think each job I’ve done, from restaurant jobs in high school to working as a science teacher, to living and working in new countries— each experience has allowed me to focus on building relationships and achieving results for ‘customers’ in any environment. So I wouldn’t change toooo much.

 

You can read full interviews with our team at THE BACK STORY

The Back Story – Kayla Cartwright

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Our Monthly interview with one of the ADAPTOVATE team. Each month we ask one of our team from around the world to answer a few questions. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our stories with you.

This month we are  excited to interview one of our latest team members –  Kayla Cartwright – a senior consultant based in Los Angeles.

  1. First up – how long have you worked with us at the time of the interview?

Just about a month

  1. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

A bulk of my career has been in leadership development and coaching, though I more recently have focused on consulting, transformation, and client experience in financial services. ADAPTOVATE seemed like the perfect place to put all of that together and keep learning + growing!

  1. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

Sure, there are a few times I would have liked to either fail faster/ learn faster. All in all, I think each job I’ve done, from restaurant jobs in high school to working as a science teacher, to living and working in new countries— each experience has allowed me to focus on building relationships and achieving results for ‘customers’ in any environment. So I wouldn’t change toooo much.

  1. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

I think I have a strong “balance”, probably because this is VERY important to me. I prefer to think about work-life “integration” instead of balance. If you can be part of an organization that aligns with your values and allows you to bring your true self to work, then integration is much easier. I’ve been happy to find that here at ADAPTOVATE so far. On a more tactical note, I prioritize and focus on outcomes so that I make sure I use my time wisely; I aim and usually get 8 hours of sleep and try to spend lots of time with my loved ones (including my pup!), usually enjoying good food, hiking or going to the beach.

  1. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

Organized. Empty desk except for a massive monitor which has done wonders for my posture. Large cup of coffee and water. Single spiraled notebook. White pen (it’s a thing).

  1. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

Definitely! Music sets the tone, so I often try to be pretty intentional about matching the song to the objective/theme of a workshop and/or the local crowd. In general though, I am a fan of Motown classics that people want to sing along to, and lively Latin music to wake people up.   (editors note: we’ve added some Motown Classics, and lively Latin music to our official ADAPTOVATE Workshop playlist – you can access here)

  1. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

Technology has democratized knowledge in a way that makes me hopeful for students who might not have access to information or experiences based on where they live. At the same time, I have great concerns about how technology is going to impact kids’ (and adults’) ability to relate to one another and interact across lines of difference.

  1. Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly. (and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

Netflix has transformed their operating model in a way that the surrounding environment had been slow to respond to (I live 15 min from Hollywood, for context). It’s also been fun to be a client with this lense watching companies such as Rover, Instacart and Pandora transform their offerings and features quickly to adapt to the market.

  1. What does success mean to you personally?

Enjoying and learning in as many moments as you can. There’s a popular American beachy musician named Jimmy Buffet; I try to live my life by one of his song lines (among many): “If we didn’t laugh we would all go insane”. (editors note:  Song is “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” – you can listen here)

  1. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Eat less candy. Wear more sunscreen. Be nicer to your sister 😉

Kayla with her pup Wallace (center) and a friend’s pup getting ready to celebrate the annual pirate festival, Gasparilla, held every February in Tampa, Florida, USA.

 

 

The Back Story – Michal Bak

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Our Monthly interview with one of the ADAPTOVATE team. Each month we ask one of our team from around the world to answer a few questions. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our stories with you.

This month we are really excited to interview our Managing Director andPrincipal in our office in Warsaw, Poland –  Michal Bak

First up – how long have you worked with us?

I have been working for 3 months now (joined in June 2019) (editor: at time of interview).

Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

Before joining Adaptovate, I was working at a major management consulting firm. I got passionate about people, change and large scale transformations. I was involved in advising businesses around the world. Adaptovate offered me an opportunity to do the job that I loved and also to get involved in setting up a new office. Talking to founders convinced me that it might be a fair new challenge and much fun.

How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

I have always been eager to try new things and that for sure defined where I am today. Accepting new challenges and then relentlessly focusing on delivering impact became part of my DNA. In addition, working for different organisations in different countries and cultural contexts helped me become more sensitive and humble. Would I do things differently? I don’t think so… I always try to take decisions based on my best current knowledge, and then take full responsibility for them

Accepting new challenges and then relentlessly focusing on delivering impact became part of my DNA. Michal Bak - The Back Story interview. #agile Click To Tweet

How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

I believe there is only one “life” – I don’t make a distinction between work life and personal life. I try to see my life as a whole and act upon it. That means that I take advantage of every moment and anything that my life brings to me, and at the same time relentlessly follow my passions

With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

I consider my computer to be my office. I can then bring it with me wherever I go. Is my desktop well organise?… Well… I am probably not setting a best practice here… 😉

Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

Music is a very important part of my life. It is my source of energy. I like sharing it with teams. Recently, I am into different types of electronic music. I would choose a set depending on the mood and on particular needs. However, good house music is always a powerful way to get people started! (editor:  You can view the Adaptovate Workshop playlist here – it includes one or two electronic music tracks).

How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

I am watching closely the development of AI. But I always look at it from the human perspective – what does it mean for us, humans? how will our jobs and professions change? what kind of new skills will be required? I want to be able to help people and organisations adapt to the new reality

Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly. (and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

I like watching what Mercedes has recently been doing to its cars. I don’t remember anyone talking about this brand a few years ago and now I hear about it everywhere. It is praised for its design, for technological advancement, for performance. I think they found a way to adapt their full package in a way that made them very attractive

Michal Bak

What does success mean to you personally?

Being happy with your life. Being able to say “I’ve had a good life”

Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Go for it, take decisions even if they are tough, and be ready to accept the consequences

The Back Story – Katy Hughes

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Our Monthly interview with one of the ADAPTOVATE team. Each month we ask one of our team from around the world to answer a few questions. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our stories with you.

Katy Hughes

1. First up – how long have you worked with us?

9 months

2. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

After living in London for over 8 years I wanted a change of scenery, luckily, my partner got offered a fantastic job opportunity in Australia, 5 weeks later we had moved! In London I had worked as a consultant and knew it was the career path I wanted to pursue. With so many great opportunities for growth ADAPTOVATE was a perfect fit!

3. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

I came into the industry straight out of university, joining a graduate scheme at a large company. Being exposed to so many different types of people, opportunities and ways of working meant I learnt an incredible amount in a very short period of time. Working in such a large organisation across a variety of projects I quickly learned the basics of project work, what I did and definitely didn’t want to do and what kind of person I aspired to be. Personally, I don’t think there’s much I would have done differently career wise. Having early exposure to some incredibly talented people made me understand the value of respect, integrity and hard work in this industry so I make sure I carry these values with me every day.

4. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

Work / life balance is really important to me. Even throughout busy periods in work I try to maintain a good routine of; 1. Exercising – making sure I can exercise 3-4 times a week really helps me focus and release any stress! 2. Working from the office instead of home – as much as possible I work from the office, even if it means staying late! This enables me to separate my home life from my office life 3. Understanding and respecting my teams’ commitments – at the beginning of each project, we get together as a team to outline our team norms, ways of working and commitments. Understanding these upfront and respecting them when they occur ensures the whole team have a good work /life balance!

5. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

I like to think of my workspace areas as organised-chaos especially when I am focused and on a roll! My top tip for keeping on top of your tasks is to take 5 minutes at the beginning of your day to make a mini Kanban board, writing down all of your ‘to do’ items on post-it notes, moving them to ‘doing’ and ‘done’ when completed. This way you, and those around you, know exactly what you are working on at any one time and you feel great every time you move a task to ‘done’.

6. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

Sometimes, music is a great tool for inspiration and focus but you don’t want it to act as a distraction, so getting the balance right is key. I will often ask attendees to write down their top 3 songs for inspiration and use these to build the workshop playlist as we go!

7. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

Technology has helped humanity in more ways than I can possibly describe or do justice to in this short interview – it impacts almost everything we do on a day to day basis. As someone who lives in a different hemisphere to most of my friends and family, the ability to feel connected to them is what I value most, and technology allows me to do so. I don’t think technology should be something humanity feels threatened by, if it is treated with the respect it deserves – it should be used to enhance our lives do not replace humanity.

8.What does success mean to you personally?

Success to me is enjoying what you do and doing it well. As long as I am enjoying what I do I will consider myself successful!

9. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Always be polite, ask lots of questions and travel as much as possible!

Katy meets one of the locals in Australia

 

The Back Story – Brigitte Odgers-Jewell

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  1. First up – how long have you worked with us?
    3 months

  2. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

I was looking for my next adventure and Adaptovate ticked all the boxes. Having spent the better part of 20 years in Australia I was raising 2 amazing children with my husband Brett and carving out a corporate career for myself. I have worked with many talented Agile teams across industries since 2007. I love what I do and Business Agility Coaches are in such demand so the career path has served me well.

  1. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

My entire life has been about trying new things. Travel and adventure have been a passion from a very young age. I spent time in hospitality running restaurants and bars in my youth. I spent a couple of years running a dive resort and then went on to travel the world on cruise ships as a photographer and later a croupier. These jobs gave me great insight to people and culture all around the world. It was a wonderful time. In 2004 I was introduced to corporate life when I took on the roll of Webmaster for a Bank in Queensland. This organisation would introduce me to Agile and the rest is history. Learning and experimenting was expected and encouraged. The friends that I made at work are still my best friends today to the point where we still get together and have reunions around the world. It is true, the teams that play together stay together! I’ve seen what good looks like and it boils down to leadership at every level. Looking back, I think I made some good choices and took whatever opportunities I saw, I’m happy with that.

  1. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

I’d describe it as work life integration. I’m a mother, wife, daughter, sister and have a full-time corporate career. It’s what I signed up to and it’s up to me to make it work. I work hard and I play hard, I love it! There are a few non-negotiables that get me down if skipped. I try to do 30 minutes of exercise and 10 minutes of meditation 5 days a week before touching any technology. I also try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Every now and then a demanding schedule throws a spanner in the works. Being disciplined to get back into routine is hard sometimes but I feel so much better for it. I’m so privileged to be able to go to some amazing holiday destinations around the world every year with my family. I make sure that the batteries are recharged and I’m ready for whatever opportunities await me. On the weekends when I’m home, I make sure I go for a run, long walks and cuddles with Roxy my dog and make time for romance.

  1. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

Since I’m only home on the weekends my home office is the dinning room table or kitchen bench. We have a very lovely home office with docking station and huge monitor and all the mod cons. Maybe I’m lazy or have FOMO but I just like to be in the middle of the house where I can be part of the action and have my sticky notes laid out, my laptop open and have a glass of wine.

  1. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

I love to play music during workshops. I haven’t recently but it’s usually some classic disco remix for collaborative, fun activities [editors note – here’s a great Spotify Classics remix collection] and some laid back mellow instrumental tunes when deep thinking is needed.

  1. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

It’s hard to keep up with technological advances and all that AI is doing for humanity. I am so grateful that I can connect with my family at any time, from anywhere and on any device. It has made my choice to move to Asia and leave my family in Australia so much easier. To know that I can not only talk to them but see them at the click of a button is very comforting. There are countless people around the world that have to leave their families to go and work in far off destinations this technology makes it a little easier. I am not really concerned about the future from a technology perspective. We are adaptive, creative and inquisitive creatures. What does worry me are our world leaders and governments keeping up. There needs to be a plan to keep people relevant and embrace technology at the same time.

stand up for what you believe, it’s okay to disagree with the majority, not everyone will love you – it’s okay – the one’s that do, really do. Brigitte Odgers-Jewell Click To Tweet

  1. Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly. (and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

I think the way education is being disrupted is tremendous. Recently I did a course through MIT Sloan. It was an uncomplicated and enjoyable process. I was able to select a subject relevant to my current interest. I received course material, attended lectures, collaborated with peers around the world and submitted assignments from anywhere, at any time and for a reasonable price. Platforms like YouTube have been a one stop shop to learn pretty much anything over the past few years, but I certainly like that there are so many options to learning now and that Universities and other disruptions have embraced the need for options other than brick and mortar class rooms.

  1. What does success mean to you personally?

Being able to spend quality time with my family and friends and knowing that I have contributed in some way to the happiness or success of someone in the word.

  1. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Keep up the French lessons, learn to play the piano, speak to your father in German, give up the ballet classes (you will never be coordinated), stand up for what you believe, it’s okay to disagree with the majority, not everyone will love you – it’s okay – the one’s that do, really do.

You can connect with Brigitte on Linkedin. 

The Back Story – Steve Walton

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ADAPTOVATE MONTHLY INTERVIEW SERIES

Our Monthly interview with one of the ADAPTOVATE team. Each month we ask one of our team from around the world to answer 10 questions. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our stories with you.

To celebrate July 4th in the US, this month we are speaking with Steve Walton, our project lead in our New York office.

Ok! Our ten questions.

1. First up – how long have you worked with us?

18 months

2. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

I was in the corporate world, managing enterprise data warehouse and analytics platforms. I wanted to take a new career direction where I worked more directly with people.

3. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

My previous career included being part of an industrialised project management system. I was always the rebel, seeking ways to do things differently. It became natural to implement Agile processes and mindsets whenever I could. My reputation was one of: *Strong prioritisation – to ensure we focused on the most valuable work by removing distractions of work that would never be done *Removing waste – Identify what didn’t need doing and simplifying process *Extreme visibility – showing the status of all our work to drive conversations about progress and blockers I would have spent more time talking about why I was making the changes. Consulting has taught me about the importance of bringing a wider group of people along the journey of change.

4. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

This year my life has been crazy in the most exciting of ways. I am someone who gets immersed in the work when they enjoy it and see the benefits of their effort. The last year and a half I have worked with some exciting clients doing things that were going to change their thinking and internal interactions in a way which would enrich the working lives of their staff while simplifying their businesses. During the day I am fully present and work long days. I balance the long days with leaving my work behind when I finish the day. Spending time with those close to me is important to me. I am very thankful for video conferencing to let me be with them when I can’t be there in person.

Steve out and about in New York.

5. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

My home office is neat and tidy! I have a large monitor in the centre of the desk and usually a couple of different laptops surrounding me depending on which clients I am working with. Spending time to organise your chargers and cables is my tip to making your desk feel neat and tidy. That and make sure you have room for your cup or glass as you stay hydrated.

6. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

I always favour some daggy 70s tunes to welcome people in, and some 80s disco to get people moving [editor: we found this ‘daggy’ playlist and this 80’s disco playlist on Spotify!  Steve takes no responsibility 🙂 )

7. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

I think technology enhances everything. Enhances the negatives as well as the positives. We can have too many gadgets or use too many tools and make our life difficult. My recommendation is to stay aware of what tools are out there but changes only every year or so to let people get used to using them. The concern I have for the future is that we forget to bring everyone along. We have a huge potential to develop a future in which technology enables greater social inclusion, as we simplify interfaces and potentially make access to services less expensive.

8. Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly. (and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

I am interested in the digital-only brands being launched by banks, insurance and telecommunication companies as a way to migrate customers off legacy products and systems. Often their parent companies have systems and organisations so complex they have failed to succeed in simplifying their offer. The approach of offering a cheaper product using simpler and more scalable systems means they can develop a lower cost offer through a lower cost business. If your business model is going to be disrupted, I say be that disruptor yourself.

9. What does success mean to you personally?

Success means the ability to do what I love with confidence and being in the position to choose what some of those things are.

10. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Be more confident. I am at my best when I am relaxed and enjoying what I do.

 

The Back Story – Chelsea Bates

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ADAPTOVATE MONTHLY INTERVIEW SERIES

Our Monthly interview with one of the ADAPTOVATE team. Each month we ask one of our team from around the world to answer 10 questions. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our stories with you.

This month we are speaking with Chelsea Bates, our Principle in our Melbourne office.

Ok! Our ten questions. (well actually nine this month! We are adapting and innovating)

1. First up – how long have you worked with us?

8 months

2. Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

I had previously been working with a company who delivered software using agile. The opportunity to help companies apply the principles of agile across the broader organisation, and not just within technology, appealed to me as I had seen how engaged and successful the teams had been within technology.

3. How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

My career has taken a curved path with new opportunities and skills to learn with each role. I moved from accounting to sale across industries and with small private companies to large ASX organisations. They have all helped with the different skills needed for the role I am now in. On reflection, I wouldn’t have done anything differently as I have learned so many new things and had the opportunity to work with so many fantastic people.

Some of the team.   L-R Caitilin Studdert,  Alex Rebkowski, Doug Ross, Chelsea Bates at a recent conference where Adaptovate where giving a keynote.

4. How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

The work life balance is great! I have time for regular exercise and time with family and friends. Work life balance is important as I believe you need a balance to be happy with both. Get the balance wrong in one direction and the other suffers.

5. With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

Organised. Upside of not having a huge amount of space at home 🙂

6. Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

We haven’t recently, but we were helping a client last year with a solar project so used a playlist that referred to the sun for every showcase.  Spotify has my last playlist listened to as Happy Beats… 

[editor: as an added bonus we found this page with 60 songs about the sun and sunshine  – 🙂 )

7. How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

Yes it has helped connect us, although always been contactable has its downsides. I love being able to call and see my friends and family who live overseas and interstate. The future of AI is fascinating and I am interested in how governments and organisations are dealing with the ethics of AI.

8. What does success mean to you personally?

Winning as a team! Be it crossing the finish line of the Oxfam trail walk with my team of 4 together or helping a client solve a cool problem together

9. Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?

Travel at any opportunity you get.

Chelsea travelling in Lisbon.

 

You can follow Chelsea Bates on Linked In.

The Back Story – Caitilin Studdert

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ADAPTOVATE MONTHLY INTERVIEW SERIES

Our Monthly interview with one of the ADAPTOVATE team. Each month we ask one of our team from around the world to answer 10 questions. While not in the same league as The Proust Questionnaire – we think it’s a great way to share our stories with you.

This month we are speaking with Caitilin Studdert, a project lead for Adaptovate, based in Sydney.

Ok! Our ten questions.

First up – how long have you worked with us?
Since December 4, 2017 – 18 months

Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

Looking for a new career direction and knew Doug Ross well and his company ambition.

How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

Absolutely. I use every single part of my career experience daily. I’ve had numerous temporary roles and some very long term positions as well. It’s the people I’ve interacted with in the roles that have taught me the most, not the function or the responsibility of that role. I’ve had some incredible bosses and for each of them I could recite their mantra and often do daily in my work still. What would I do differently ? I would recognise that my failures (in projects and in job applications) have taught me more than my successes. My first job as a 14 year old as a casual taught me as much as any professional job I’ve had since. No regrets on career: my choice of marketing initially was brilliant as it enabled me to focus on people and teams, and now in consulting I’m surrounded by people, teams and aspirational goals which I love.

How do you balance your work life with your ‘real’ life – Do you have a good balance and how important is it to you?

Let’s not pretend, all of us have times where work / life is completely out of whack but fortunately I’ve had great leaders who have acknowledged how important it is to seek it constantly. When I’m involved with a client I obsess over learning about the company and industry because I’m a big believer in the power of preparation. In my ‘real life’ -my family is the bees knees. I run with them, burn perfectly good food with them by mistake, watch great quality trashy TV with them and adore our generous extended family. Without them, I wouldn’t be as gritty and imperfect.

With so many of our team remote working, we always like to ask how do you have your home office/desk set up? Organised or chaos? Any top tips?

Chaos. Top tips: don’t follow my example.

Do you play music during your Agile workshops with clients? What do you recommend on your latest playlist?

I don’t play music often in workshops but if I did it would be the Indiana Jones movie soundtrack…(yep, the dah dah da da…dah da daaaaa version) or the Star Wars theme there’s something inspirational about having a familiar tune and full orchestral blast as you kick off learning something new.

How do you think technology has best helped humanity and do you have any concerns about our future?

Yep, technology which provides a ‘voice’ for those who don’t have one is incredible. Even social media I’m not afraid of as I’ve been exposed to it for so long and am aware of the messy parts and best bits. My concerns are mostly environmental and I’m hoping I’m supporting this as best I can.  I am appalled in rare scenarios where technology replaces interaction and empathy.

Strategic Foresight allows companies to detect changes early and ensure action is taken quickly. Which companies have you seen able to change and adapt quickly?(and hopefully using Agile methods to do so)

I’d actually love to list some of my recent clients, but we are under NDA. I see it regularly and am consistently inspired by it when they are adapting to the market and also to new agile ways of working. Although I’ve never worked within these organisations I’ve loved the global uptake of fitness fun runs with quirky takes (e.g. The Colour Run). I wouldn’t have predicted there would be such a huge market for ‘social’ fitness and am impressed how quickly these companies have reached massive audiences within Australia.

What does success mean to you personally?
Success for me is if any achievement is shared. A celebration on your own is downright boring.

Finally – You’ve time travelled back to your 10- year old self – What advice would you give?
Your imperfections are just perfect. Stick with them.