65 Arrels in Spain

Team 62 Poster

Team Reflection

In our AIM2Flourish article, we looked at Arrels Barcelona, a business that has made sustainability a part of its everyday operations by using recycled materials to make swimwear and other fashion products, including PET made from plastic bottles that have been collected from the ocean. Throughout our research, we discovered enthusiasm and vision that reinforced the company’s emergence, where the founder’s dedication to art, optimism and environmental responsibility converged. Our discussion with the creator touched us, we were inspired by his commitments to having a positive influence.

We were first impressed by Arrels’ dual focus in addition to utilising artists’ creative talents, it also aims to promote sustainability by handling the serious problem of plastic trash in the oceans. We valued how this corporate strategy gives social and environmental issues a lot of weight in addition to profit. As we learned more, we were encouraged by the company’s creative recycling strategy, dedication to advancing a circular economy and progress towards becoming a B Corp, all of which gave us optimism for the future of ethical business practices.

We were inspired to consider the role of business for social good by this investigation, particularly in light of the SDGs. Arrels addresses a number of SDGs such as climate action (Goal 13), life below the water (Goal 14) and responsible consumption and production (Goal 12). As we spoke, we become more conscious of the connections between these objectives and the ways in which the fashion business can support or undermine them.

Our academic knowledge increased our understanding of sustainability. We have looked at ideas like the triple bottom line, which stands for people, planet and profit and how companies might change their priorities from short-term profit to long-term sustainability. This change has been illustrated by Arrels, which shows that supporting local artists and following sustainable techniques may have a positive social and economic effects. It did, however, also draw our attention to the difficulties small firms encounter when implementing these methods, especially when considering the financial implications and competitive market.

We realise that we frequently base our business assumptions on the idea that profits should be maximised. Arrels’ creative approach, which puts sustainability and community above conventional profit goals, has challenged our viewpoint. The thought of utilizing business as a vehicle for social change excited us, and we realised how urgent it is other businesses take this model. It also made us think about our duties as aspiring corporate executives, how can we make sure that profit does not come at the price of people and the environment?

As future business professionals, our thoughts on Arrels’ narrative will probably affect our viewpoints and behaviour. In our ideal future, sustainability and ethical issues will be given top priority in all commercial endeavours. We shall be guided by the idea of the triple bottom line, which encourages us to evaluate our company’s impact on social and environmental fronts in addition to financial indicators.

We have learnt from Arrels how crucial it is to combine artistic vision with a dedication to sustainability. We will push ourselves as future leaders to think creatively and responsibly. Respective decisions will be based on an understanding of supply chains and their effects on the environment, we will work to be knowledgeable customers and ethical business people who support sustainable practices in respective sectors.

Some of us have personally stated that we would prefer to work for organizations that share our beliefs, such as Arrels. Others have expressed plans to start their own companies with a socially conscious focus. We all believe we can use our future company roles to push for change and encourage ethical behaviour.

We have also inspired to interact with our communities and raise awareness of sustainability as a result of our exploration of Arrels. We are driven to establish connections with other like-minded people and groups that are working to change the world. We believe that working together with people in our community may help us to move towards a more sustainable economy by exchanging ideas, resources and information.

Lastly, researching on Arrels Barcelona has been enlightening and has improved our comprehension of the function of companies in society. The company’s creative approach to social responsibility sets a standard for other companies, one that we hope to following our professional lives. Our dedication to the earth and its inhabitants will guide our actions going forward as we work to not only observe but also actively contribute to the transformation of the business sector. Every tiny action, such as Arrels’ plan to make goods from recycled plastic, can act as a spark for more significant social change, and we are excited to contribute.

Individual Reflections

Giovanni Lucantonio

Taking part in this experience was enriching, though challenging at the same time. Being far from my teammates pushed me to adapt to different and more efficient communication styles, while also highlighting the importance of being patient and listening actively. The team took benefit of the diversity of its members, thanks to various and different insights that enriched our meetings. One of the key strengths I observed was our collective willingness to be open-minded, which helped bridge cultural gaps and foster a collaborative atmosphere, in fact our diverse cultures where not an obstacle, but an advantage and a source of new knowledge. The beginning stages were probably the toughest due to the multiple time zones and even basic things, like organizing a meeting or talking to each other, were hard, but thanks to the efficient usage of digitals tools, such as WhatsApp and Google shared documents, we managed to overcome these difficulties.

Overall, this experience, even if though, has been a very valuable way to learn how to cooperate with people all over the world and handle cultural differences.

Carmine Ferrara

Being a part of this international group project was both enlightening and challenging, and it pushed me to grow in ways I had not anticipated. Working with peers from different cultural and academic backgrounds broadened my perspective on teamwork and communication. Initially I was concerned about coordinating schedules across time zones and navigating language nuances, but this quickly turned into an opportunity to learn about and touch on an awareness of a diverse world full of different and beautiful cultures. I realized that adapting to each member’s modus operandi was not just a work trade-off, but a wonderful opportunity to learn how different perspectives enrich the problem-solving process. What added great value to my course of study regarding sustainability issues was the way theory translated into practice, being able to make concepts studied during this period come to life. Effective virtual collaboration and cross-cultural dynamics became tangible and a good driver of positive energy as we developed our project on Arrels Barcelona. Studying a company that integrates art and sustainability made me appreciate how deeply issues of right behavior toward the planet we live on affect brand identity and customer relationships, especially when it comes to engaging a global audience. The sharing of tasks within the team was quite fluid, as we took advantage of each person’s strengths while remaining flexible for possible adjustments. The logistical challenge was the central motif of the experience that passed on to me the art of resilience, made me realize the true strength of a team and how crucial it is to embrace diversity to move a project forward. This experience, I feel, has left me with a renewed delight in the power of global teamwork in achieving meaningful goals.

Alicia Sithole

Participating in the COIL as a team member was a unique experience that broadened my perspectives on cross-cultural collaboration. Working virtually with team members from diverse backgrounds introduced both challenges and rewards, particularly in managing communication and respecting different time zones. Initially, it was overwhelming to coordinate meeting times that accommodated everyone’s schedules, but our team found success in leveraging tools like shared calendars and communication platforms. I learned to be patient and flexible, understanding that everyone brought different expectations and ways of working shaped by their cultural experiences. Despite initial misunderstandings, we grew comfortable with each other’s communication styles, which allowed for richer discussions and creative brainstorming. Personally, I felt empowered seeing how our different perspectives enhanced our approach to problem-solving. This project taught me the value of open communication and adaptability, which I believe are essential skills for any successful partnership. Overall, this experience has strengthened my confidence in navigating diverse teams and left me with a deeper appreciation for collaborative work.

Mbali Mahlangu

Our team’s experience in COIL changed our lives because it allowed us to engage with individuals from many backgrounds, which fostered cross-cultural collaboration. Communication was essential. At first, we had trouble with different time zones, but with careful preparation and adaptability, we were able to create a schedule that worked for everyone. We were able to overcome any early barriers caused by distance by establishing confidence through regular video chat sessions.

I truly valued the sense of unity that our different backgrounds brought to the table as a team member. Learning from one another’s experiences and approaching problem-solving from different cultural perspectives was uplifting. Because we were appreciative of our differences and engaged in active listening, I thought we handled the cross-cultural dynamics successfully. The difficulties were outweighed by our collaborative victories. For example, we made it a point to write down our ideas concisely and precisely, which helped fill in any understanding gaps, even when communication was delayed by time zone variations. In the end, COIL gave me the opportunity to not only improve my teamwork abilities but also to recognize the value of global cooperation, which is essential in today’s interconnected world.

Monica Christine Simanjuntak

This new experience has been enjoyable, fascinating, and somewhat demanding. Scheduling hours and coordinating our individual schedules was obviously a struggle, but I’m glad my team and I made it work. We learned more about one other and our respective countries, which made the experience even more interesting. Although the beginning was difficult and we still struggled to find fresh topics to discuss, this opportunity taught me to be more open-minded and patient, as finding a time when we are all available to meet is not easy. Working together, having our own tasks, and seeing it all come together slowly but surely was quite fulfilling, and it made me realize that even though we were in different countries and time zones, we still needed to work together and communicate for all of this to happen. We were able to overcome all challenges and share some laughs together. Overall, I would have to say that I am quite grateful for this opportunity, as it was something I never expected to partake in.

Aulia Rahmadiani Putri

This opportunity is extremely important and meaningful for me. It’s been a fun, interesting, and challenging new experience. It was clearly difficult to arrange our individual schedules and set up hours, but I’m happy that my team and I managed to make it work. The event became even more fascinating as we gained more knowledge about one another and our individual nations. Even though it was challenging at first and we were still having trouble coming up with new ideas for conversation, this experience made me more patient and open-minded because it can be challenging to find a time when everyone is available to meet. Furthermore, it was really satisfying to work together, complete our own jobs, and watch everything come together gradually. It also helped me realize that communication and teamwork were essential for this to happen, despite the fact that we were in various time zones and nations. Together, we were able to laugh and overcome all obstacles. Overall, I would have to say that I am really appreciative of this chance because I never thought I would be able to take advantage of it.