6 SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being – Modgarden

Group Reflection

Our team’s journey in the realms of group management and sustainability yielded invaluable insights. In navigating group management, we placed a premium on effective communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution. Recognizing the significance of understanding each team member’s strengths and weaknesses, we strategically allocated tasks to maximize efficiency. The adaptability of our leadership styles emerged as a cornerstone for fostering a productive and harmonious work environment. Simultaneously, our sustainability focus underscored the incorporation of environmentally friendly practices into our projects and operations. This encompassed a comprehensive understanding and implementation of sustainable sourcing, waste reduction strategies, and the consideration of the social and economic impact of our endeavors. Moreover, we embraced the crucial link between healthy food consumption and overall well-being, acknowledging that nutritional choices could impact productivity and contribute to the risk of diseases. This holistic approach reflects our steadfast commitment to both the well-being of our team and the integration of sustainable practices into our work.

The impact of our class learnings on our group activity was both significant and serendipitous. Many team members had the opportunity to attend the class on the same day as our scheduled meetings, creating a seamless connection between theoretical learning and its practical application to our project. This synchronized approach allowed us to manage ourselves in a composed manner, leveraging the knowledge gained from the class to enrich our discussions and decision-making processes. Delving into the class content deepened our understanding of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enabling us to recognize and distinguish the various ways in which companies incorporate these goals into their practices. This heightened awareness not only enhanced the depth of our project work but also fostered a shared commitment to aligning our efforts with sustainable and socially responsible principles. The integration of class learnings served as a guiding light, steering our project towards a more conscientious and impactful trajectory.

The allocation of work within our team was a thoughtful process that considered individual strengths and needs. While the distribution of tasks was often based on our respective strengths, decisions were made through collective discussion and agreement. This collaborative approach ensured that the workload was not only distributed efficiently but also aligned with each team member’s capabilities. In instances where volunteers emerged, their willingness and confidence in handling specific tasks played a pivotal role in determining the assignment. Overall, our approach to task delegation involved a balance between recognizing expertise and fostering a sense of collective responsibility.

Our team excelled in effective communication and adaptability, serving as the linchpin for collaborative efforts. These qualities facilitated a seamless flow of information and allowed us to readily adjust to changing circumstances, ensuring a dynamic and responsive work environment. However, challenges arose with occasional timing conflicts, presenting hurdles in our coordination efforts. Despite this, our steadfast commitment to open communication allowed us to address and mitigate these issues, underscoring the importance of continuous improvements in schedule management for more seamless collaboration. Regular meetings, held at least once a week, proved instrumental in maintaining productivity and meeting deadlines. This reflective and adaptive approach empowered us to navigate challenges successfully and leverage our strengths for collective achievement.

Individual Reflections

Omphile:  Working together with other people for any project can be a challenging task. Not to mention if those individuals are from different parts of the world than the one you are in. In such a case, one is exposed and challenged with not only having to find a balance between different characters, but different cultures as well. Fortunately, upon the course of our research on ModGarden’s sustainable business practices, I worked well with my group members and respect was the order of every meeting and interaction.
One of the weekly tasks that we were assigned with in the AIM2Flourish project, was to have online meetings with our group members from Canada and Spain. Although this was always a task that I would look forward to, especially because it was a way for me, as a South African student, to learn more about my group members overseas; my limited technological knowledge restricted me in being a proactive group member. I would always struggle to set-up meeting links and would always have to ask another group member to do the honours. This, for me, was quite an agonizing experience as I felt as though my contribution to our meetings was not entirely enough. However, that only invigorated me to go on the internet and find out how to do it. I can proudly say that I have set up at least two meeting links during the course of this project.
What made the AIM2Flourish experience a little bit more challenging than I had anticipated, was having to divide my time between the project and studying for exams; as well making sure to consider and adjust to the different time zones that my group members and I are in. Because of this, we would meet more than once a week, from time to time. Not only did this hinder my academic progress, but it would also not allow enough time for rest.
With all the individual challenges that I faced during the project; I cannot take away the immense gratitude of being afforded this once- in- a- lifetime opportunity. Not only has it developed my character, but as a business student and a prospective owner and CEO of a food franchise, it has also expanded my perspective on what a sustainable environment truly looks like, and what it requires from us in the present.

Carlos: Working on the AIM2Flourish project, exploring the endeavors of ModGarden, has been an illuminating experience. ModGarden’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its core operations stood out as a beacon of inspiration. The project allowed us to delve into the intricate details of how a business, beyond mere profitability, can be a force for social and environmental good.

ModGarden’s story is a testament to the transformative potential of businesses. The AIM2Flourish project allowed us to unravel the layers of ModGarden’s initiatives, showcasing how it goes beyond conventional business models. The company’s focus on creating accessible, sustainable food systems and empowering communities aligns seamlessly with the ideals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As a team, we were struck by ModGarden’s dedication to fostering positive change. From their modular gardening systems to their educational outreach programs, every aspect of the business reflects a genuine desire to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. The AIM2Flourish project became a canvas to paint not just the external success of ModGarden but also the internal ethos that drives their impactful contributions.

In conclusion, the AIM2Flourish project, through the lens of ModGarden, has been a journey of enlightenment and appreciation. It has deepened our understanding of the potential businesses hold to shape a better world, leaving an indelible mark on our perspective and reinforcing the idea that businesses, when grounded in purpose and sustainability, can truly flourish.

Alejandro: This Aim2Flourish project was an experience that I grew a personal liking to. It turned out to be a fruitful piece of collaborative work in which I could expand my knowledge and thoughts with my teammates from around the world and also get to know them.

I found the process of this project to be fun and different, because this is not something that I’m used to doing even though I’m capable of so I prioritized being present in the group for any type of situation. Thankfully we were able to communicate very well, my teammates were also very respectful and gave a lot of effort to present the best work possible and only had minor issues.

What I did like the most was having the opportunity to contact a company such as Modgarden and navigate into everything about it. I would say the best part about this project was to be able to interview a person from the selected company and in our case we spoke with the founder who through the interview let us know the background story of how the idea and the innovation of his company came to be, the purpose behind the product and the thought process of future events along with some experiences that truly left a mark on him to continue pursuing his goal. I can say that I connected to some of the things he said on a personal level and have put it into thought to apply it for my future.

Awethu: Engaging on this collaborative project of Coil with students from other universities in the world has proven to be intellectually stimulating, in taking us out of comfort zone and face the real world. Our success lies in the effective management of online meetings. Clear communication has been the keystone of our communication. The clear communication made it easier for each and every team member to be aligned with the collective vision and the way forward of what we are doing.

Doing icebreakers before the meeting to make everyone feel comfortable, by asking questions that are beyond academic pursuits that helped us to understand each other. In the midst of this collaborative journey, clarifying roles and responsibilities ensured equitable contributions. Of which I’ve learned new thing from my teammates I was expecting conflicts and arguments as teamwork does so, but all of us we were matured enough addressing things on a professional level.

As we tread the path of this international collaboration, we found ourselves not only achieving project milestones but also gaining profound insight of different global perspectives. This Coil project stands as a testament or testimony to the power of effective communication and cultural understanding. Prior I was worried about language barrier and different accents but all of those things were like water under the bridge. I’m very privileged for being part of this wonderful journey, being in a group of committed individuals.

Sarina: Navigating the complexities of our project journey, our group demonstrated resilience and effective teamwork in the face of various challenges and dynamics. Time changes emerged as a formidable obstacle, disrupting our carefully planned meetings and work schedules. Dealing with different time zones required us to be flexible and find innovative solutions to maintain productivity. Additionally, language barriers introduced a layer of communication challenges, prompting us to employ diverse communication tools and strategies to ensure that information was effectively shared among team members. The unexpected occurrence of family emergencies further tested our adaptability and unity as a group.

In response to these challenges, our approach centered on open communication and a shared commitment to the project’s success. We established a culture of transparency, where team members felt comfortable expressing their constraints and concerns. This open dialogue proved instrumental in addressing time constraints, as we collectively brainstormed alternative meeting times and communication methods to accommodate everyone. Language barriers were overcome through a combination of translation tools, patience, and a shared willingness to understand one another.

Moreover, when family emergencies arose, our group rallied together to offer support and redistribute tasks to accommodate those facing personal challenges. We recognized the importance of not only acknowledging individual circumstances but actively working to ensure that no team member felt overwhelmed or isolated. Timely communication became our linchpin, allowing us to navigate through the challenges seamlessly.

In the end, our group’s ability to handle these challenges was a testament to our strong communication and mutual respect. By openly addressing and adapting to the dynamics at play, we not only completed our project successfully but also forged a resilient and collaborative team that can overcome any obstacle.

Cristian: Participating in the Aim2Flourish project provided a great experience, particularly in the collaborative effort with students from South Africa and Spain. This global interaction broadened my perspective on sustainability, revealing it as a universal concern that requires collective action. Our team, through this project, gained insights into effective group management, emphasizing open communication and leveraging each team member’s strengths.

Throughout this collaborative journey, our team recognized the interconnectedness of our efforts in achieving sustainability goals. The class learnings on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) played a crucial role, guiding our project with a heightened awareness of its broader implications. This knowledge became a compass, steering us towards a more conscientious and impactful trajectory, aligned with global objectives.

In distributing tasks within our team, we prioritized a collaborative approach, considering individual strengths and fostering collective decision-making. Despite some challenges, such as timing conflicts, our commitment to open communication allowed us to address and overcome these issues, reinforcing the importance of adaptability in group dynamics.

Summing up, the Aim2Flourish project has been a journey of growth, learning, and global collaboration. It highlighted the power of innovative solutions like TinyFarm in addressing universal challenges and underscored the significance of cross-cultural teamwork in advancing sustainability goals. Our collaborative effort showcased that sustainable development is a shared responsibility that transcends borders, emphasizing the potential for positive change when diverse perspectives unite toward a common goal.