68 Dominos Pizza in South Wales

Team 68 Poster

Team Reflection

In our AIM2Flourish exploration, we looked into a sustainability initiative at Domino’s Pizza’s Newport, South Wales location, focusing on eco-friendly delivery methods, community partnerships, and waste reduction. These innovations align Domino’s operations with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our team found this initiative inspiring and insightful, leading us to contemplate the wider role businesses can play in fostering community well-being, environmental stewardship, and societal progress. Through this reflection, we reconsidered the purpose of business and our own future responsibilities as business professionals.

Examining Domino’s sustainable practices, we saw a transformation from a company known for efficient delivery and affordability into one that values reducing its environmental impact. The use of electric bikes for deliveries, engagement with local charities, and shift to eco-friendly packaging at the Newport store demonstrate that impactful change can start locally and inspire broader shifts across a global network. Domino’s attempts to lower waste disposal, coupled with the use of renewable energy furthermore highlights the organization’s high centrality and specificity. All of these initiatives were extremely surprising to our group, highlighting a gap in our knowledge of Domino’s core values. In continuation, we found ourselves both inspired and curious about Domino’s motives. While we admired their commitment, we also questioned whether these changes were sparked more by genuine responsibility or by growing demand from environmentally-aware consumers. This led us to reflect on what truly defines responsible business and how we, as future professionals, might navigate the balance between profit and social purpose. As it relates to our academic knowledge, the course concept of opportunism is one that we often kept in mind while selecting our company of choice. As a group, we came to the realization that the values of Domino’s Pizza align closely with the ones instilled in ourselves. Such values concerning ethical business operations and the environment are ones that we will keep in mind as we begin our careers in the real world. Outside of business ethics, we received many takeaways from the opportunity of interviewing a real manager. Having the chance to interview a manager allowed us to understand how one leads by example in the workplace. The answers we received during the interview reflect leadership traits we see as invaluable as a group, and will definitely help bolster our success in the business world. As a collective, our team saw this assignment as a learning experience, highlighted by many obstacles. Because we live in different time zones, we had to problem solve and find times that could work for everyone. Although difficult due to conflicting schedules, we were able to take time out of the day to make meetings work for everyone, exhibiting our problem solving and communicative skills. We furthermore used course content such as weekly readings and previous assignments to combine our knowledge and expertise for this assignment. Everyone was able to bring something unique to the table, allowing us to complete our work successfully.  As we worked on assignments, we conducted this action through the division of roles. By splitting up parts, we were able to easily navigate what had to be done, and only focus on our individual sections. We found as a group that assigning 1 person per section of assignment made life easiest for us and worked out the best. This form of coordination and cohesion allowed for our team to work seamlessly, creating a better overall experience of this project.

Individual Reflections 

Paulina Castro Lopez: The AIM2Flourish assignment was a unique experience that left a strong impact on me personally and professionally. Engaging deeply with a business story that emphasized sustainability and community impact helped me see the powerful role that companies can play in advancing social good. What resonated with me most was realizing that even a global chain like Domino’s could use its resources to drive environmental change and community support. This opened my eyes to the potential I have as a future business leader to make meaningful contributions beyond profit, influencing me to prioritize sustainability and social impact in my career. Collaborating in a virtual, cross-cultural team was another key aspect of this assignment. I appreciated the opportunity to navigate time zones and communication differences with my team. We each brought unique perspectives, which enriched our discussions and made the reflection process more insightful. However, working across different time zones was sometimes challenging as there were moments when aligning our schedules required extra effort, but these challenges taught me the importance of flexibility and empathy in team settings.This experience has shaped my approach to leadership by showing me the value of openness and adaptability in diverse teams. I now feel more confident about leading in cross-cultural environments, understanding that a leader’s role is to encourage open dialogue and accommodate varied perspectives. This assignment strengthened my belief that successful leadership requires not only vision but also patience and respect for diverse ideas. Going forward, I aim to carry these lessons into my career, making decisions that balance financial success with a commitment to social and environmental impact.

Amalia Fernandez: As our AIM2FLOURISH journey comes to an end, I’m filled with a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude. Initially, I must admit the project seemed complex and daunting, especially with the challenge of coordinating across different time zones and collaborating with a team of unfamiliar faces. However, as we navigated through the assignments more smoothly, it became a truly rewarding experience that exceeded my expectations. Learning about Domino’s sustainability initiatives not only deepened my understanding of sustainable business practices but also inspired me to reflect on my own role in promoting a positive impact. Witnessing their commitment to more friendly delivery options and responsible sourcing made me realize the powerful role that businesses can play in shaping a sustainable future. I feel I’ve become a more empathetic and thoughtful individual, recognizing the real-world importance of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how businesses can drive change.This project has not only inspired me personally but has also strengthened me professionally. Working alongside a diverse team sharpened my adaptability and collaboration skills, teaching me to approach challenges in a more open manner and working across differences. I’m leaving this project with both a stronger commitment to sustainability and a skill set to help me through the career world. Ultimately, this experience has given me a greater sense of purpose and confidence to pursue work that aligns with both my values and a vision for a more sustainable world.

Dimuthu Madushan: Take parting in this experiential project as part of our assignment for Dominos has been both interesting and nervous. This was my very first project with international students, and I was initially thrilled yet anxious about the COIL Project. I had concerns about how efficient it would be to collaborate with people from different parts of the world whom I didn’t know evenly. However, after speaking with the Store Manager, I obtained insight into Dominos story . This provided me with a unique perspective on how companies in profit-driven sectors can create a meaningful impact. Although I started with little knowledge about the COIL project, I learned a lot through our weekly WhatsApp Meetings where we exchanged information. We also communicated via Gmail, which helped keep everyone engaged. I believe all my team members were genuinely interested in this group project. Despite the time zone differences among international students from three countries, everyone participated actively in the meetings and completed the assignments on time. Overall, working with international students was a fantastic experience for me and I think others also, and I believe it will be valuable if I could work in the international business world in the future.

Arkan Qureshi: Participating in the AIM2Flourish project offered me a unique lens into the potential for businesses to act as drivers of social and environmental change. Initially, I approached this project with a degree of skepticism, wondering if corporate sustainability efforts could truly transcend profitability and deliver genuine impact. However, as I delved into Domino’s Newport initiative with my team, I found myself reevaluating my assumptions. Seeing how a global franchise like Domino’s could incorporate sustainability practices—from using electric bikes to reducing waste—left a lasting impression. It illustrated that even in a highly competitive and fast-paced industry, there is room to align business with environmental and social values.

Working with an international team was both challenging and rewarding. Managing different time zones, communication styles, and perspectives required adaptability, but it also enriched the project. I felt that each team member brought something valuable, helping us create a well-rounded reflection. This experience has highlighted the importance of collaboration and open-mindedness, especially when addressing global issues like sustainability. Moving forward, I feel more confident about working in diverse, cross-cultural settings and am motivated to explore ways to integrate sustainable practices into my future career.

The project has inspired me personally and professionally, reinforcing the idea that business can serve a greater purpose beyond profit. I now see myself approaching business decisions with a stronger sense of accountability and a desire to contribute to sustainable development. This reflection has left me committed to pursuing a career path where financial success aligns with a positive societal impact, believing that businesses can—and should—be agents of meaningful change.

Dan Stanners: As we come to the conclusion of our AIM2Flourish assignment, I thought it was one of the most unique experiences I’ve had as a student at the University of Guelph. It was extremely exciting to receive the opportunity to collaborate with other students overseas and get to know more about their countries and education systems. I especially believe I developed better time management skills across this project, incorporating ways to meet through different time zones, work with due dates, and balance assignments. The creative aspect of this assignment further allowed for me to think outside of the box, as it relates to creating visuals, storytelling, and applying course concepts. I enjoyed learning about the sustainability practices of Domino’s Pizza, and was not aware of their initiatives. Receiving feedback from an actual manager of this organization was additionally extremely exciting, and provided me with a lot of knowledge that I can put forth going forward. I would recommend this assignment to students in the future, and all my takeaways are extremely positive.

Ahsan Mohiudin: Working with group members from different universities has been a uniquely valuable experience, both in terms of personal growth and academic learning. Coming together with students who bring distinct perspectives, training, and approaches has broadened my view and allowed me to tackle projects with a more comprehensive mindset. Each member of my team has been trained in different academic environments, which has shaped the way they approach problems, manage their time, and communicate their ideas. This variety has been a major asset to our group, as it has enabled us to approach challenges from multiple angles, yielding more robust and creative solutions.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this collaboration has been the exchange of ideas and skills. Every member brings something unique to the table, from technical expertise in certain areas to soft skills like facilitation and project management. For example, some members come from institutions with a strong focus on research methodologies, while others excel in practical, hands-on applications. Working together has meant that we are not only completing the project but also learning from each other’s strengths. I’ve found myself picking up new skills and techniques simply by observing how my teammates approach certain tasks, and I’ve been able to share my own skills in return. This mutual learning process has enriched my understanding of the project and my own field of study, making this experience far more rewarding than if I had worked solely with peers from my own university.

Effective communication has been crucial in our collaboration, especially because we’re coming from different academic backgrounds and even different time zones. We’ve had to be clear and organized in our planning, establishing shared goals, timelines, and expectations right from the start. At times, balancing our individual schedules and adapting to each other’s working styles has been challenging. We’ve faced moments where misunderstandings arose simply due to differences in terminology or project expectations, as well as difficulties in synchronizing our schedules. To overcome these challenges, we’ve adopted tools for virtual collaboration, including regular video meetings, shared documents, and task management platforms. These tools have been essential in keeping us aligned, ensuring that everyone has a clear understanding of their responsibilities, and allowing us to keep track of progress. This level of organization and open communication has been a lesson in itself, as it has shown me the importance of proactive communication and adaptability in group work.

Another significant lesson I ’ ve learned is the value of adaptability and patience. Working in a diverse team has taught me that flexibility is essential for achieving success in collaborative projects. Different approaches to problem-solving mean that sometimes, we need to try several methods before finding one that suits the group. At times, I’ve had to be patient, taking a step back and trusting the process even when it didn’t align with my usual way of working. This has been challenging but also incredibly rewarding, as it has helped me develop a more flexible and resilient approach to teamwork.

Overall, working with students from various universities has not only broadened my academic skills but has also prepared me for professional environments where diverse perspectives and collaboration across different backgrounds are the norms. This experience has taught me the importance of embracing diversity, listening to others’ perspectives, and the power of collective problem-solving. As we progress in our project, I feel grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented individuals and for the ways this collaboration has expanded my own abilities. This experience has given me a deeper appreciation for teamwork and has underscored how much can be accomplished when individuals come together with a shared goal, even when they come from different academic worlds.