21 Lost Aviator Coffee in Canada

Team 37 Poster

Team Reflection

The ethics of Lost Aviator Coffee promote social and environmentally sustainable development, which also yields good returns for social initiatives in the United Nations. One of the company’s key focuses is fair wages and a supportive work environment, enhancing social benefits. Furthermore, the company does not impose restrictions on hiring, which deepens our understanding of social welfare and fosters our thinking on how to create a harmonious environment that addresses common corporate challenges.

Group 37 (Lost Aviator):

Lost Aviator Coffee was established by Steve and Adam after they lost their jobs as pilots due to COVID-19. Following this loss, they decided to create a business connected to their previous work in aviation and coffee. This gives us the idea that losing a job does not mean the end; instead, it can open up opportunities to create a better business. Their determination and persistence inspired us. Additionally, the company’s impact on social and environmental levels is impressive. From a community perspective, the company connects coffee lovers, enhancing their bonds and showing that the company genuinely cares about its customers’ comfort. Environmentally, it practices eco-friendly methods such as waste reduction, showing that it not only focuses on quality and production but also on community and the environment, making it clear that the company is not selfish but rather concerned about the environment as well.

When we learned about Lost Aviator Coffee, we discovered advantages that reinforced our studies, such as their sustainable business practices. They have enhanced our academic knowledge, demonstrating that their sustainability efforts are evolving and address the triple bottom line—balancing the environment, profit, and people. The company embodies these principles, showing that it can be socially and environmentally responsible while achieving financial success. This highlighted the company’s commitment and interest in integrating sustainability into their operations without sacrificing one for the other, broadening our analytical perspectives due to differing viewpoints from various cultures.

The story of Lost Aviator Coffee illustrates the importance of responsibility in business decisions. It balances social and environmental impact, which is essential and does not negatively affect the company. This inspires us to pursue a business model that supports this idea in the future, with a commitment to sustainable practices and positive contributions to the global community.

The diversity of cultures has enriched our analysis and strengthened the concepts of cooperation, teamwork, and effective communication. Each of our perspectives, shaped by different cultures, has led us to develop solutions for challenges we faced. This has expanded our understanding of sustainability in business and how it can be applied globally.

The course provided us with insights into the importance of teamwork in COIL, and the diversity of ideas and cultures led to a variety of opinions and differing viewpoints. This enriched our collective understanding of collaboration, comprehension, and the significance of sustainable development, for which the company is responsible. This fostered our interest in sustainability issues. Understanding the interconnectedness of the environment, society, and economy enhanced our sense of responsibility and effective teamwork. When we communicated clearly and embraced diverse opinions with patience and flexibility, we were able to tackle the challenges posed by cultural differences that we faced.

We all wanted to share our opinions on the company we would discuss, and upon selecting the best company in terms of sustainability, we began to divide the work. Each of us teamed up with two others to work together based on our strengths, and we assigned tasks to avoid confusion. Each pair started working within the designated timeframe, and our collaboration helped us complete the tasks smoothly and positively. One of the key factors that facilitated our progress was our meetings to discuss advancements and address any challenges we encountered.

One of the challenges we faced was our communication during the project. It was difficult to determine if some of us could not attend meetings due to time zone differences. The maximum duration for meetings was 40 minutes, which also complicated the organization of weekly meetings. Initially, we communicated via email, which is a good method for general communication. However, for our project, email was not the best option since decisions requiring group consensus were hard to coordinate this way. This led us to switch to WhatsApp, which improved our communication performance, allowed for quicker decision-making, and helped us review our work collectively while accommodating time zone differences and being flexible with each other.

Another obstacle was that only a third of the group could participate in the interview, making it difficult to effectively convey the information gathered and complete group tasks. While this limitation is part of the COIL setup and cannot be avoided for in-person interviews, it added complexity to our collaboration.

Individual Reflections

Clara Artigas Fernández 

Participating in this experience has been a really valuable opportunity for which I am truly grateful at my university. First, because it has heightened my awareness of cultural sensitivity and the importance of effective communication in teamwork, especially within diverse groups. Clear communication is essential for fostering a productive team and a dynamic working environment. It also emphasizes the notion of teamwork as a common project shared by all members of the team. Each is indispensable and brings something unique to the table. Moreover, this project has enabled me to explore the positive impact that companies can have on society and the environment. It’s crucial to recognize the positive change that businesses can foster and encourage more of them to join and change the world we currently live in. After this project, I believe that companies with a strong sense of purpose not only improve their own sustainability but also inspire students like me to reflect on our own values and choices. This opportunity serves as a powerful reminder that together we can create a more equitable and sustainable world.

Matthew Pryzmant 

COIL was a very unique experience, awarding me the opportunity to work with students from not just other universities but also other countries. In the modern world, many businesses are going virtual and I feel that this project prepared me to be able to collaborate virtually when I enter the workforce in the future. I also learned a bit about different cultures and customs which is always a worthwhile undertaking in our increasingly connected world.

The project itself allowed me to apply class learnings to a real-world business and get a first-hand look at how responsible management is actually implemented. It was very inspiring to connect with our business, learn about their vision and see how they are flourishing while being upstanding members of their community. I feel I will be able to take what I saw from our business and bring it with me to my future endeavors in school and also in any future jobs I have. I think that the COIL experience is valuable to any student so that they can go beyond the classroom and understand how important being responsible is to these businesses and how they could go about following in the same footsteps to make business a force for good in the world.

Ryan Cooper

The combination of course content and the COIL process made this project a highly engaging opportunity to connect with business students from around the world. This experience offered valuable challenges and learning moments, particularly in problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. In today’s global business environment, these skills are essential, as companies frequently operate across borders and time zones, with teams composed of diverse cultural perspectives. The COIL project underscored the importance of adaptability and clear, respectful communication in navigating these dynamics. Beyond insights into international relationships, the project also made me more mindful of my purchasing choices in relation to sustainable development and more aware of the impact I have within my own community. As a member of this COIL team, I found the experience to run fairly smoothly for my first exposure to international collaboration. It was a fascinating process with its challenges, yet rewarding moments as well. Being proactive in planning and scheduling was essential for managing cross-cultural dynamics and coordinating across time zones, requiring patience and flexibility, as response times varied depending on when team members were awake to receive messages. Initially, I found our communication and meetings less efficient than expected, but as we explored new strategies together, each meeting and midweek communication became progressively more effective. This process taught me that cross-cultural teamwork requires balancing respect for individual preferences, schedules, and cultural differences, while also keeping focus on shared objectives. Overall, the COIL process provided exceptional opportunities to experience international challenges and refine collaboration and problem-solving skills—an invaluable experience for real-world preparation.

Isabel Llobet 

Participating in COIL gave me the opportunity to work closely with students from both different countries and universities. Whilst collaborating with them, I understood the necessity of maintaining frequent and effective communication between members, as well as being respectful and attentive of the cultural diversity within the group. Given the different time zones, hectic schedules and cultural differences, our meetings at first were challenging in regards to decision making. However, over the course of the month, our communication was more efficient and effective. This process prepared me on how to set internal deadlines, how to compromise and be more flexible, and the need of clear communication to create a dynamic working atmosphere, which is crucial to reach objectives when collaborating virtually. In regards to the project itself, it has allowed me to explore the positive changes companies can have on society and the environment. More specifically, I was able to take away from the story of our business their vision of being focused on reaching personal objectives without compromising their ability of being active members in their community. It underlines the importance of having a clear purpose while simultaneously making choices to benefit society. Overall, I believe the COIL project provides students an excellent opportunity to reflect on how values and choices can shape businesses to foster positive impact in the world. Furthermore, it prepares us for real-world jobs in terms of developing problem-solving skills and respectful collaboration.

Aljawaharah Elenezi

Being part of the COIL project has honestly been a valuable and inspiring experience for me. I’m grateful for the chance to work with my team on exploring how businesses can have a real, positive impact on society and the environment. This project really opened my eyes to the idea that companies aren’t just about making money—they can also take on a role in making the world a better place. Seeing this approach in action was a reminder that ethical practices can create meaningful change. Working in a team with different perspectives highlighted how essential it is to communicate clearly and respectfully, especially in a diverse group. Every member brought their own experiences and insights, which made me realize how powerful collaboration can be when everyone is working toward the same goal. This project helped me appreciate that real teamwork relies on valuing each person’s contributions. COIL has also made me think more deeply about my own future. I feel more inspired now to carry these values of sustainability and ethics with me into my career, knowing that even small steps can make a difference. This experience has shown me that businesses, and the people who run them, can truly be a force for good.

Reyam Alreshaid

My participation in this activity had a positive impact on my performance as part of the team. It enhanced my flexibility, communication with others, and acceptance of diverse perspectives due to cultural differences, which in turn strengthened our collaboration. I did not encounter any difficulties with time zone differences; rather, it was manageable thanks to the team’s strong flexibility, patience, and cooperation. We agreed on a specific time for meetings, and everyone was committed to being on time regardless of their geographical location. We also decided to use a communication platform that made it easier for us to coordinate and schedule meetings. This experience helped me learn how to work effectively with a virtual team from different cultures, opening up significant opportunities for diverse viewpoints and mutual respect. It enhanced our communication skills and patience within the team. Overall, this experience has contributed to my personal development and skills that will be beneficial in future virtual work environments.

References

Investopedia. (2024, May 24). TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/triple-bottom-line.asp