Becoming a part of the team
By Megan
This project began with the realization that this experience would be empowering, and in it existed potential to bring real value to the client.
I then understood how important collaboration was to the success of the project – not just with our client – but with other members of our class, our networks, and each other (my team partner and I). Just as our client understood, tapping into resources one has from anywhere is immensely valuable. Our client saw the rich potential of working with students in a business school program, and we learned that they seize every opportunity they find to absorb new information. But no opportunity was pursued cavalierly. It is clear the client’s team is dedicated to their mission and work. They listen with open ears and take to heart the information they are given. This was evident by their resolve in letting us lead them through a process of exploration of their talent assets, structure, and goals. Very engaged, the team participated in many brainstorming discussions, which we learned were incredibly important to helping them discover and articulate the needs of the organization. Adopting these sessions into every client meeting ensured they can react, add, question, and probe, and allowed us to consider new factors in every step of the process. Even through our final presentation, we left room to take discussion breaks and took visible notes that we left them with.
Our client’s request was for help with managing their volunteers on which they relied heavily upon and aligning goals throughout the organization at the individual level. While the conversation felt overwhelming at the beginning (naturally), our ability to narrow down the scope of work was not a difficult one. In the end, we delivered on all the points they had come to the table with, discovering new solutions along the way. It was a gift to be able to learn about their aspirations for the organization and see first-hand a glimpse into the work and determination they put in to accomplish them. We were able to provide our clients with a fresh, external perspective, which opened their eyes to new ways of thinking about things, as it can be difficult when one is tied into the day-to-day innerworkings of a non-profit. One example was examining stakeholder interests and ensuring those are reflected in team goals. We did not shy away from asking our client for more data and information. Asking them about how critical each role was to the organization, whether expertise was needed or not, and the reliability factor of each role helped us to understand and determine how they can improve their management structure and where opportunities lie for new hires. Some of our recommendations merely reinforced the track they were already on, and others provided them with new ideas.
I would be remiss if I did not touch upon the experience of hearing about the effects of Covid-19 on their communities in Brazil. Our client quickly pivoted to provide resources (food, masks, cleaning supplies) to aid communities during the pandemic, through a campaign. They employed creative ways to continue child education about climate change via outdoor hikes. However, in a place where there is already concern for violence and the added diminishing health of residents due to the pandemic, you could see the emotional strain that it was taking on the team. There were somber moments as the team described the status of the environment and we learned that their volunteers were not able to go into the favelas as they normally would. Their ability to continue to open their minds to learn about new tools and advance their knowledge and skills despite the current conditions and climate of Rio de Janeiro really shed a light on their strength.
By the end of the process, I surprised myself. I learned that I could have a greater impact than I initially realized.
Our client expressed the implementation of the goals we helped them to organize into their quarterly report for the first time, acknowledging us as consultants. They also promoted their activities through their first newsletter communication and voiced to us that they are in a better place than they were prior to working with us on thinking through their staff structure, volunteer program, and establishment of goals – as they look to replicate their co-op program in other regions.
I am honored to be considered a part of their team, as they noted to us, and look forward to seeing them grow and excel.