16 FAB Restaurants Concepts in Canada

Team 25 Poster

Team Reflection

When our group started this project, we were excited to be part of an international team. The collaborative online international learning experience made us feel valued and encouraged us to bring forward the best we have. We knew that this experience would likely shape and possibly change the way we managed our time, lead others, and be a team member. At the beginning we had to agree on many things such as the communication channels, a suitable fixed time for our weekly meetings, identifying a local business to interview, and distribute tasks between one another. Later, the delegation of tasks went smoothly, and we concentrated on putting in our best effort. Some tasks went smoother than others once a schedule was set. For example, Adrienne would volunteer to record the meetings, and we all remembered to remind her and thank her for her efforts. Other tasks were more challenging. For instance, always checking the time zone of other members and taking the time differences into consideration. These challenges affected our workflow. There were time zone differences and communication preferences that created obstacles. However, these obstacles did not discourage us, they only emphasized the importance of clear and consistent communication in collaborative projects. This experience aligns with existing research on the benefits of virtual team communication strategies, which suggest that clarity and responsiveness are essential for cohesive remote work (Hoch & Kozlowski, 2014).

From the beginning we thought that WhatsApp is a good channel to use for communication and Zoom to be the platform in which we would use to conduct our meetings. We realized that emails were not as efficient because we wanted to break the ice and share our thoughts freely and inclusively with each other. We also wanted to take each other’s opinions on certain decisions. The main advantage of a WhatsApp group is that it gives the ability to share pictures, articulate any thought via a voice note, and message one another. Hence, we all joined a WhatsApp group. This method of communication made us closer and helped us share our thoughts openly, informally, and instantly. To be honest, we all thought that this step might help us stay in touch long after we submit the deliverables. Collectively we had to brainstorm some suggestions that align with the guidelines mentioned in Appendix 2, we overthought about it and started sharing links to the businesses we suggested via the WhatsApp group. All suggestions were good but since Mary and Adrienne go to the University of Guelph, we made our decision to interview FAB Restaurants Concepts INC because its owner and CEO, Sean Bayley, was a Guelph graduate. Most importantly, it aligned with the principles of sustainability.

We were lucky to interview Sean Bayley personally and hear insights about the business from him. When Mary and Adrienne took the burden of conducting the interview, we thought that maybe we could assign the tasks based on each member’s strengths as a cross-functional team. This strategy was followed to deliver quality work on schedule and make use of our skills. In a cross-functional team, flexible communication strategies in teamwork are an essential aspect of project management and leadership (Hoch & Kozlowski, 2014). Mary and Adrienne also had to write the story because they would be familiar with details derived from the interview. Dana and Jory, on the other hand, took the responsibility of designing the poster. Mary and Adrienne’s roles in the interview and story development brought coherence to our project, while Dana and Jory’s work on the poster added a visually appealing aspect that strengthened our final submission. The fact that whoever was available ensured that due submissions were timely and matched the guidelines, meant that we had coordination and harmony as a team.

Furthermore, the open communication style we adopted as a team fostered a supportive environment, allowing each member’s voice to be heard. This approach reflects the principles of authentic leadership, emphasizing the value of diversity which was achieved by the collaboration between our universities and inclusivity accomplished by us being open minded and acceptable to each other in teams (Northouse, 2018). We were able to overcome language barriers and respected cultural differences in a way that emphasized the importance of empathy and adaptability in teamwork. Moving forward, we believe that incorporating these insights will enable us to navigate diverse team environments effectively and efficiently. It will also pave the way for when we will be contributing to inclusive workplace cultures. In conclusion, the six of us: Mary, Adrienne, Dana, Jory, Alberto, and Javier shared efforts writing this reflection which made us realize that this project served as a valuable exercise in applying academic concepts to real-world situations. In other words, the lessons from this project extend beyond theoretical knowledge; they have shaped our perspectives on leadership, teamwork, and ethical responsibility. Our experience with this project deepened our appreciation for the role businesses can play in advancing social good in a way that will influence our future actions as business professionals. This project not only broadened our understanding but also influenced our personal and professional outlooks, as well as our future perspectives as business professionals to be. We came to see the potential for businesses to contribute to the public good as a realistic and achievable goal. This project taught us that when a business is aligned with social impact goals, it can create value beyond profit and, ultimately, make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Individual Reflections

Jory

The first time I worked on a project online with students from different countries and universities was both exciting and challenging. I was eager to learn from their unique perspectives, but I wasn’t fully prepared for the logistical hurdles of coordinating across different time zones, communication styles, and cultural norms. Initially, our discussions felt somewhat disjointed, and I found it challenging to express ideas clearly in a virtual setting where nonverbal cues were limited. However, as we progressed, I came to appreciate the richness that diversity brought to our project. Each person approached problem-solving differently, often revealing creative solutions I hadn’t considered. We learned to navigate our differences by establishing clear goals, setting flexible meeting times, and respecting each other’s input. By the end of the project, I not only gained new perspectives but also developed skills in cross-cultural communication and digital collaboration. This experience taught me the value of adaptability and open-mindedness in a globalized, online environment.

Dana

Since it was my first time working in a cross-cultural, virtual team, I was nervous about this experience at first. Because email can be slow, I questioned how we would successfully communicate. However, after making a cordial introduction during our first meeting, we agreed to use WhatsApp to communicate more quickly and conveniently. To make the task easier, teamwork was crucial. Despite the significant obstacle of multiple time zones between Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Spain, our meetings went smoothly because everyone was dedicated to selecting times that worked for everyone. Saudi Arabia and Canada were separated by seven hours, whereas Spain and Canada were separated by six hours. Despite these variations, we were able to identify hours that worked best for us and helped our project succeed. It was a great experience that taught me how to collaborate with people from different backgrounds. I came to see how crucial cooperation and adaptability were to be reaching our objectives. I will always treasure this experience as a fulfilling challenge that taught me a lot.

Adrienne

As a member of team 25 in the COIL AIM2Flourish experience, I feel as though this was an incredibly unique opportunity that is unlike anything else I have ever been a part of. Being able to connect with students, who I would consider as peers from across the world provided for an eye-opening experience. Learning the university culture in the two other countries in my group was fascinating to me. It would be impossible to reflect upon this experience without acknowledging the communication challenges. Of course, with the communication being solely online based and there being significant time changes between where my partner and I are located and where the other four students were, there were challenges. The multiple time zones were a difficult obstacle to navigate, as between Guelph and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia there was a seven-hour difference, which was difficult in the sense that we had a limited window of time during the day that would be appropriate for all three teams to meet. This experience was also humbling in the sense that you had to adapt to the ways of communicating in the other cultures, which showed that there are significantly more norms and communication styles than what I am used to from North American ones. Recognizing that there is no one best way to communicate is an important perspective I have gained through this experience. In addition, to be cautious that the way your culture may perceive certain actions is entirely different than how other cultures might. However, I do believe that this experience has pushed me to acquire greater communication skills, specifically online communication that I believe will be helpful for my future endeavors.

Mary

Starting the COIL/AIM2Flourish group project as a member of team 25 I was both excited, and apprehensive to see what the project would bring. I am no stranger to group work; however, working with students from different schools across the globe was a whole new idea that I was about to tackle. Of course, tackling this project came with some challenges; however, I believe that as a group the six of us handled them to the best of our ability. The first challenge, of course, was the time differences in Canada, Spain, and Saudi Arabia. Spain and Saudi Arabia are only an hour apart, but Canada being six and seven hours behind these countries made scheduling our weekly Zoom meetings slightly difficult. In our first week meeting we established a day of the week and time that we would commit to make work for our weekly meetings. Although the time had to be adjusted slightly a few times, for the most part, agreeing on the time and day for the most part worked out perfectly. Another challenge was the occasional lack of communication via video call. For the most part, our members were able to use the microphone feature, however, some of our members were not able to use the feature. This made the connection between the six of us slightly difficult to establish, as we were constantly having to go between speaking via video while considering incoming messages on the chat, which were sometimes delayed, or difficult to understand. We created a group chat between the six of us on WhatsApp the first week of the project, and have had constant communication on it since, which has made it much easier to distinguish who is doing what, and if there are any changes to tasks, we had split between the six of us. Altogether, the communication has been much better than I had expected, and I truly believe that all six of us have tried to engage with one another on not only a group-mate level, but a friendly level as well. Before starting this project, I was quite confident in my skills that I have built up in previous group projects, but this project has undoubtedly strengthened my communication skills as well as my ability to understand cross-cultural differences, and how they might pose a different type of challenge on a group assignment.

Javier

As a member of Team 25 for the COIL/AIM2Flourish group project, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as I embarked on this unique collaboration with students from different countries. While I am familiar with group work, collaborating with peers from Canada and Saudi Arabia presented a new challenge that I was eager to tackle. One of the first hurdles we encountered was navigating the time zone differences. With Canada being six to seven hours behind Spain, coordinating our weekly Zoom meetings was tricky at first. Fortunately, during our initial meeting, we collectively agreed on a specific day and time that worked for everyone. We had to adjust our schedules a few times, but overall, we managed to find a routine that allowed us to connect regularly. Communication during our video calls was another challenge we faced. While most team members were able to use their microphones and cameras, a few had technical difficulties that made it hard for us to communicate smoothly. We often found ourselves juggling between speaking in the call and trying to follow along with messages in the chat, which were sometimes delayed or unclear. To improve our communication, we created a WhatsApp group right away. This allowed us to stay in constant contact, clarify tasks, and keep everyone updated on any changes in responsibilities. Despite these challenges, I was pleasantly surprised by how well we connected as a team. The ongoing communication made it easier for us to work together and foster a friendly atmosphere. I entered this project with confidence in my collaboration skills, but this experience has significantly enhanced my communication abilities and deepened my understanding of cross-cultural dynamics. I learned how cultural differences can influence group work, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for growth. Overall, this project has been an enriching experience that has strengthened my skills and broadened my perspective.

Alberto

The work done by Group 25 when I started really motivated me. I’ve worked on many group projects before but collaborating with students from different countries was something completely new for me. Being from Spain, I had the chance to join teammates from various places, which made the experience even more enriching. Naturally, some challenges came up, but I think the six of us handled them as best we could. One of the main obstacles was coordinating different time zones: Canada, Spain, and Saudi Arabia. Even though Spain and Saudi Arabia only have a one-hour difference, the time gap with Canada made scheduling our weekly Zoom meetings a bit tricky. In our first meeting, we agreed on a set day and time, and although we had to make a few adjustments, we managed to establish a routine that worked quite well. Another issue was communication during the video calls. Most of us could use the microphone, but some couldn’t, which made it hard to keep everyone connected as a team. This led us to use the chat feature on the platform and WhatsApp to ensure no one was left out. To make communication easier, we created a WhatsApp group chat in the first week, which helped us stay updated on task assignments and project updates. Overall, our communication was better than I initially expected, and we all tried to connect not just as teammates but in a friendly way too. Before this project, I felt quite confident about my teamwork skills from previous experiences, but this collaboration has significantly improved my communication skills. It has also given me a better understanding of cultural differences and how they can bring unique challenges to group work.

References 

Hoch, J. E., & Kozlowski, S. W. (2014). Leading virtual teams: Hierarchical leadership, structural supports, and shared team leadership. Journal of applied psychology, 99(3), 390.

Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership ethics. In Leadership: Theory and practice (7th ed., pp. 329-347). Sage Publications.