CSC Assignment Successfully Completed!

In Instituto Empreender's (IE) Enter Jovem Plus Program, IE tracks student data and performs job matches to partner companies as vacancies becomes available.  IE is challenged with not having an efficient data management system to maintain and manage the data.  A large amount of resource is spent contacting students and partner companies through phone and tracking the information manually.

IE requested for our team to propose a solution to increase efficiency in data management and enable compiling, processing and presenting this information in a manner that allows for smarter data analytics and reporting to funding companies.

Our team was able to work within the 4 weeks window to provide IE with an immediate solution as well as a proposal for a long term solution. 

The immediate solution was provided with a User Guide and training.  The solution had been tested and is already being used.  The solution improved IE’s efficiency by more than 50% and also reduced room for errors.

For the proposed long term solution, IE was concerned that they would not be able to articulate their requirements for the web-based solution.  Our team worked on documenting the requirements and solution to a level that addressed this concern.

Overall, IE was very pleased with the work completed within the four weeks.  IE had initial concerns of how our team would be able to develop a solution to their problem.  Amongst us, there is Alex, who is a hardware engineer, Etsuko, who is a database administrator and I, with experience in business operations and project management.  However, above corporate social responsibility, CSC program aims to provide the participants with leadership development and global cultural adaptability.  Our team shared our vision for the solution and worked towards it, we did!  We were extremely pleased when IE commented in the closing event that we had exceeded expectations.  

We also had the privilege to participate in an English class taught to a group of youths ranging from 16-17 year olds.  We saw the value that IE provided to these disadvantaged youths in giving them additional trainings and skills that would give them better job opportunities.

Both teams felt that there was a rich exchange of cultures: Brazil (IE), USA (Alex), Japan (Etsuko) and Singapore (myself). 

The cultural exchange for the IBM team was to a much greater extent.  Spending one month together at work and at play, the 15 of us from 11 different countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Switzerland, USA, UK) got to know each other really well in ways that we may otherwise never have the opportunity to do.

I am very proud of IBM for this program and I would strongly encourage all IBMers to grasp the opportunity to be in this program and make yourself count for something meaningful outside of your comfort zone.

Adeus Brasil!  Salute IBM!

#ibmcsc brazil #ibmcscbr12

May 21 - Serious work begins!

The day started with a kick-off meeting where the 15 of us who were divided into 5 sub-teams met our NGOs.  The NGO's are Casa da Crianca, Instituto Empreender IE (mine), Nectar, Observatorio do Recife and Porto Digital.

It started with the 3 CSC members assigned to each NGO giving a brief introduction of ourselves.  This was followed by the NGOs presenting the work that they do.  Each sub-team then proceeded to the NGOs' office.

IE is a NGO created in Y2000 with the objective of providing job training and education to disadvantaged and at risk youth groups.  Through initiatives that promote employability and social inclusivenss, IE offers a variety of youth assistance programs at different levels, ranging from providing English and IT trainings, CV design, interview skills to job match.  The team is to focus on the Enter Jovem Plus Program (EJP).  

(Left to right: Igor fm IE Rio de Janerio, myself, Etsuko fm IBM Japan, Mariza fm IE Rio de Janerio, Adson fm IE Recife and Alex fm IBM US)

We spent the entire afternoon understanding the challenges in EJP and determined what is to be our focus.  Our team is very glad that IE is realistic in its expectations of what can be accomplished within the 4 weeks.  It was a very intensed afternoon going back and forth with questions and answers and by 5pm, we were mentally drained.  However, even early at this stage, the team felt that we had the SOW nailed and we return to the hotel happy that we had accomplished  a good day's worth of work.

I felt that the pre-work thru' the 3 months have been really good and despite that it was the first time that the 3 of us are working together, we were able to complement each other well.
Well done Team!

#ibmcsc brazil #ibmcscbr12

Arrival & first days

I arrived safely and smoothly despite the tiring long 31hrs flight and transits.  I was happy to check into the room to find that it is going to be a comfortable 4 weeks stay with a wonderful seaview from the balcony!  Hmmm....perhaps this assignment needs a little more time to work on?

Most of the team arrived on the 19th May by early afternoon.  It was great meeting everyone in person after being on calls and emails for the last 3 months.  Our 1st dinner gathering ->

The next day, our CDS local coordinator, Vanessa took us for a neighbourhood walk in the morning to familarise us with the amenities around the hotel - the supermarket, laundry, restaurants etc. which ended with a "kilo" lunch ie you pay by the kilo for what is on yr plate from the buffet spread. 

Our first group photo:

We were reminded by many signages along the beach not to thread further than the reefs.  About 10 victims each yr joined the help group, I'm not tempting the sharks here!

I've been waking up at just past 3am.  I do hope I get over my jet lag soon! .....zzzzz

Time flies

It's been a very busy period since I last post.  Over the last month, I was able to complete all my eLearning (it's compulsory else you're dropped fm the assignment!), vaccinations, Visa and have my backups in place.  Thanks to all my wonderful colleagues and my manager who supported me to make this possible. 

The "toughest" part before travelling was deciding on what to bring, trying not to bring too much and yet, making sure I have enough to be comfortable for the 5 weeks away from home.  I ended up with 25kg of checked-in luggage which I thought was pretty good considering the work stuff and souvenirs as well.

More updates on the flight and the 1st few days here soon!

Assignment Received!

I've completed Month 2 pre-work and gotten the mandatory vaccination for Yellow Fever. I must remember to bring the certificate, else will have a problem re-entering Singapore!

This week, I will be the Moderator for the team call and will be covering the topic: The Role of International Development in Emerging Markets.

The most exciting thing that happened over the last couple of days is that the team have just received our respective assignments! The 15 of us have been grouped into groups of 3. We've been advised of who our NGO is, what they do and the project scope of work. I'm still trying to digest the document given and am hoping I can connect with similar NGOs in Singapore and be able to gain some knowledge of how they handle similar processes. Although the culture and challenges may be different, I am sure the knowledge will come in useful.

I'm going to be extremely busy in the next 1.5 months. Apart fm Month-3 prework and final Logistics, we will start dialogue with the client to understand the project in more details. There is also project deployment that I have pulled ahead prior to my departure. By doing this, I am hoping my peers will have an easier time backing me up.

I've also started a longer exercise routine each day to strengthen my back (slipped disc) in preparation for the long flight...total 31hrs including 2 transits with the longest flight being 14hrs (Spore -> Dubai -> Rio de Janerio -> Recife).

I want to give my best to this once a lifetime experience. The competency skills which I want to build on will be: Cultural Adaptability, Consulting Skills and Project Management.

End of Mth 1 and beginning of Mth 2 pre-work

The last few weeks have been busy with quite a few things:

• Finalized my flight itinerary - I've aligned my flight with that of a team member and will be going to Iguazu and Rio de Janerio post assignment...yipee! going Iguazu is a dream come thru!



• Visa application went smoothly.



• Reimbursements - I've submitted all the necessary paperwork to facilitate the reimbursements for the trip.



• Vaccinations - I've started 1st dose of Rabies vac, total 3 doses and is scheduled for Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid and Yellow Fever in the coming weeks.



• Started on my mth2 eLearning which totals over 12hrs. Most challenging for me is the Skills of Consulting as I'm not familiar in this area. The main take-away from the learning was the ART of Consulting: earning Trust, building Relationships and giving effective Advice are the three basic skills a trusted advisor needs. Hmmm, I need the skill of application for all that I'm learning. Knowledge + Application = Skill

I've been told and also read that building relationships is something that the Brazilians rank high, even at the work place. They dont normally come into a meeting and start discussion but would spend timing chatting, catching-up, socialising etc. I'm abit of a get-going, let's get started person and I've told myself that I will need to be more easy going when I'm there. Well, I'm not complaining, I supposed this is part and parcel of cultural adaptability.

Counting down...this time in 2 mths' time, I will be in Brazil!

About IBM CSC

IBM Corporate Service Corps is a program started in Y2008. In this program, employees are selected from different skills across geographical regions to perform community-based projects in growth markets. Communities have their problems resolved while employees get leadership training and development. See http://www.ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/corporateservicecorps/index.html

I learnt of this program 2 years ago but due to various commitments at work and family, did not apply till last year April. I am very honored to have been selected and even more excited to be assigned to Team Brazil 12!

Our in-country assignment at Brazil, Recife will be from 18-May to 16-June. Pre-work has started altho' we do not know details of the assignment yet. There's travel itinenary to confirm, visa application, travel vaccines, lots of eLearning etc. I realised that there are lots to do and I aim to give my best. I've completed Month 1 learnings and will be starting soon on Month 2. I'm behind on learning Portuguese tho', need to spend more time on this.

This blog is dedicated to sharing all of my experiences through this CSC assignment so that my family, colleagues and friends can journey with me.