8 SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being – Team 8

Team Reflection

1. A healthier you: Mind-body services aimed at helping communities achieve overall well-being. Through services such as yoga, meditation, holistic lifestyle programs, and life coaching, A Healthier You addresses various aspects of health, including mental, physical, social, financial, spiritual, and emotional well-being (Quarles et al., N.d.). The organization contributes to SDG3 by promoting good health and well-being for all. A Healthier You leverages online platforms to reach a diverse, global audience, making its services accessible to anyone with internet connectivity.
2. Cultivating Sustainability: The founder’s personal experience inspired the company’s mission to provide safer and more nutritious food options. Empowering individuals to grow their own organic food at home, promote healthier lifestyles, and contribute to a more sustainable future (Ibañez et al., N.d.). By focusing on biological nutrition and using century-old soil blends, offering unique solutions that are both innovative and environmentally conscious. It allows users to customize their indoor farms, making it accessible and appealing to a wide range of consumers. Overall, Modgarden’s commitment to sustainability and their innovative approach to urban agriculture position them as leaders in the field.
3. A journey of care: It began with personal experiences of the founders who faced challenges in finding suitable caregivers for their elderly relatives. Which led to establishing Grandmama, a platform connecting families with vetted caregivers. Inspired by a desire to create positive social impact, their vision extended beyond profit, focusing on providing trustworthy caregivers and empowering diverse communities, including refugees and transgender individuals (Kamdi, N.d.). They remained committed to their mission, emphasizing equality and inclusivity. Through their platform, they have assisted over 5,400 families, showcasing the transformative power of entrepreneurship in addressing societal needs and fostering a more inclusive society.
4. Saving Nature strengthens family: The Pygmy Zoo in the UAE was founded by an animal enthusiast and former trader with the aim of reuniting families and communities. Khalid’s love for animals and desire to bring happiness to families inspired him to create a unique zoo experience centered around pygmy or midget animals. The zoo promotes good health and well-being by providing activities that bring families and friends together around animals. Khalid believes that strengthening families will ultimately strengthen communities (Binjarsh et al., N.d.). Khalid plans to continue improving the zoo to offer more activities and experiences for visitors.
5. Achieve, Receive, Repeat: A program that embodies their commitment to customers’ fitness journeys and sustainability. Customers achieve their fitness goals, receive a free clothing item when their size changes, and can repeat this process as they progress. The program not only fosters customer loyalty but also reduces the environmental impact of clothing consumption by repurposing old garments. The founders of SquidHaus, were inspired by their own fitness journeys to create a brand that encourages others to pursue health and fitness while advocating for sustainable practices in the fashion industry (Scoby et al., N.d.).
6. Community in skateboarding: Shred.Co has created environments in which people can not only learn and practice skateboarding, but also form lasting friendships. These communities frequently extend beyond physical skate parks, with online platforms and social media playing an important role in connecting skateboarders worldwide. Skateboarding communities value diversity and inclusion, welcoming people from all walks of life (Lam et al., N.d.). They provide a platform for self-expression, personal growth, and mutual support, demonstrating skateboarding’s transformative power beyond the sport.
7. Bordering on the Pursuit of Salvation: Innovative use of AI to detect emotional distress in social media posts. The co-founder was inspired by his son’s struggle with PTSD. Their AI prevented a suicide attempt and detected an end-of-life message from a teen (Kang et al., N.d.). That pivotal moment inspired them to broaden their mission to provide proactive mental health care to all communities. Their technology not only detects early signs of distress but also guides individuals to seek appropriate help, potentially saving lives and fostering a more aware and supportive community.
8. Guardians of the Womb: Recognizing the dire state of maternal healthcare in India, Arun was inspired to create wearable technology for pregnancy monitoring. Janitri’s Keyar devices, such as the Keyar ECHO and Keyar Mini, offer portable and affordable solutions for monitoring fetal heart rates and early indicators of issues. Their impact has been significant, with the technology helping over 60,000 mothers and saving over 5,000 lives (Dhanoa et al., N.d.). Janitri’s dedication to social impact is reflected in its mission to see a world in which no mother or baby dies during pregnancy, labor, or after delivery.
9. Digital Technologies in Rehabilitation: Digital technologies in rehabilitation, developed by Motorica, aim to enhance the rehabilitation process for individuals with prosthetic devices. These innovations leverage concepts like the Internet of Things and virtual reality to address key challenges in prosthetic use. Motorica’s ATTILAN platform, for instance, utilizes eSIM technology for remote monitoring of prosthetic devices, enabling tailored rehabilitation programs and early problem detection (Bazarova et al., N.d.). Additionally, their VR rehabilitation program allows users to explore their prostheses’ capabilities through engaging games. Such technologies not only motivate users but also improve their physical well-being, illustrating the transformative potential of digital solutions in rehabilitation.
10. Fishing for Diamonds in Peru: It’s a transformative initiative by Pesquera Diamante, a prominent fishing company in Peru, designed to combat anemia and malnutrition in the high Andean regions. Through their Tambos Pesqueros project, they supply communities with high-quality fish, empowering local women to manage stores and ensure quality and hygiene standards. This innovative approach addresses a crucial health issue while creating economic opportunities for women and fostering community development. By embedding sustainability into their core business, Pesquera Diamante showcases a comprehensive approach to social impact and environmental responsibility, serving as an exemplary model for the fishing industry and beyond (Fisher et al., n.d.).
Analyzing the stories has deepened our understanding of sustainability, the triple bottom line, and accountability in business. These stories showcase how businesses can create value not only financially but also socially and environmentally, aligning with the principles of the triple bottom line. They demonstrate the importance of businesses taking responsibility for their impact on society and the environment and promoting accountability. Exploring these stories has broadened our perspective on sustainable business practices, showing us that there are many innovative approaches beyond what we had previously considered. In the future, we can see ourselves applying the lessons learned from these stories. We would strive to incorporate sustainable practices into our business model, considering not just the financial bottom line but also the social and environmental impacts of our decisions. We would seek to create value for all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and contribute to building a more sustainable and inclusive society.
Our team gained several important insights from this cross-cultural experience that supported the material we were taught. Understanding and appreciating cultural differences represented one of the most important lessons learned. It is important to acknowledge that diverse cultures possess different communication styles, norms, and values in order to facilitate productive collaboration (Lussier & Achua, 2015). Additionally, we learned the importance of flexibility in a cross-cultural team. We realized that scheduling meetings across different time zones required us to be flexible and accommodating. This experience reinforced the idea that successful teams are able to adapt to changing circumstances and find creative solutions to overcome challenges. During these meetings, we would divide work based on whether we saw fit or were comfortable, making sure everyone felt included and valued, regardless of their cultural background.
Our team excelled in communication. We established clear channels for sharing updates, discussing tasks, and addressing concerns. We as well successfully leveraged our diverse perspectives and skills to make decisions collaboratively. Despite the challenges of coordinating across different time zones, our team demonstrated flexibility in scheduling meetings. We were willing to accommodate each other’s schedules and find suitable meeting times that worked for everyone.
However, some things didn’t work for us such as uneven participation. While most team members actively contributed to discussions, there were instances of uneven participation. Some members may have been less engaged or hesitant to voice their opinions. Despite our efforts to schedule regular meetings, we occasionally struggled to allocate sufficient time for in-depth discussions and task completion. Technical glitches, such as poor internet connectivity or platform-related issues, occasionally disrupted our meetings. These interruptions caused delays affecting the overall efficiency of our discussions.

Individual Reflections
• Avril Li Yu Huang

Participating in our international group project provided a profound opportunity for reflection on the role of business for social good, especially considering the diverse cultural perspectives brought by teammates from Kenya and Saudi Arabia. Our team, comprising individuals from various backgrounds, embarked on a journey to explore how businesses can positively impact society while achieving their objectives. Throughout our weekly meetings, which lasted for at least an hour each, we delved into discussions about the intersection of business and social responsibility. These conversations were enriched by diverse viewpoints. Their insights shed light on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by businesses operating in different cultural contexts, prompting us to consider the broader implications of our project. I learned the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding in addressing social issues through business initiatives. My teammates shared valuable perspectives on how cultural norms, values, and traditions influence business practices and societal expectations. This helped me recognize the need for context-specific approaches that respect and align with local customs and beliefs. Working closely with teammates from diverse cultural backgrounds fostered a greater appreciation for collaboration and empathy. In terms of individual contributions, each teammate played a pivotal role in shaping our project and its outcomes. Revan is particularly impressed with her kind nature and capacity to create a sense of unity. The team members’ trust and cohesiveness were bolstered by her openness to listening and offer assistance to others. Santhoshi was very dependable and responsive during the assignment. She made sure that communication within the group ran well by exhibiting a strong work ethic and being consistently prompt in her responses to emails and messages. Her proactive attitude was crucial in ensuring that the project stayed on course and that deadlines were met. Layan’s attention to detail and thoroughness were commendable. She approached each task with precision and care, ensuring that our work was of the highest quality. Her meticulous nature helped to identify potential issues early on and find effective solutions, contributing to the overall success of the project. Shahad brought creativity and innovation to the table. She was not afraid to think outside the box and propose bold ideas that pushed the boundaries of conventional thinking. Her willingness to take risks and explore new avenues added depth and richness to our project, making it stand out from the rest. Joseph’s leadership and organizational skills were invaluable to the team. He took on a proactive role in coordinating meetings, setting agendas, and delegating tasks, ensuring that everyone stayed on track and focused on our objectives. His ability to effectively manage our workflow and resources played a key role in driving the project forward and achieving our goals.
Overall, our group project was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of the role of business for social good. Through collaboration, cultural exchange, and reflection, I gained invaluable insights that will inform my future endeavors in creating positive societal impact through business.

• Santhoshi Mada

Throughout our cross-cultural experience, I’ve learned valuable lessons that have enhanced my understanding of teamwork and collaboration in diverse environments. One of the key takeaways from this experience was the importance of cultural sensitivity and effective communication in fostering a cohesive and productive team dynamic. By acknowledging and embracing cultural differences, we were able to leverage our diverse perspectives and skills to tackle challenges and achieve our goals. In the context of what we were taught, this cross-cultural experience reinforced the principles of cultural competence and inclusive leadership discussed in our courses. We learned that successful teamwork requires not only technical skills but also emotional intelligence and cultural awareness. Our coursework provided us with a foundation in these areas, but it was through practical application in our virtual team that we truly solidified our understanding. The learnings from our courses supplemented our teamwork by providing us with frameworks and strategies to navigate cross-cultural dynamics effectively. For example, concepts such as active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution were instrumental in building trust and fostering open communication within our team. Additionally, our coursework equipped us with the knowledge to recognize and appreciate the value of diversity in achieving innovative solutions and driving organizational success.
Overall, while our team faced some challenges during our meetings, we successfully navigated them by leveraging our strengths and implementing strategies to address areas for improvement. By reflecting on both our successes and shortcomings, we can continue to refine our teamwork skills and enhance our effectiveness as a virtual team.

• Revan Alsubki

I was first concerned about taking part in an experiential activity with a virtual team consisting of people from various time zones and cultural backgrounds. But as the activity went on, I realized that responding to these differences was not as difficult as I had initially thought. Our team overcame several difficulties, including uneven participation and the challenging logistics of collaborating across time zones, by being open with one another and having a mutual understanding of what the other needed. We planned weekly meetings that considered the various time zones of team members in order to guarantee efficient communication. This meant that some members attended meetings early in the morning, while others attended them later in the evening. Despite these scheduling conflicts, we understood how critical it was to make sure that everyone had a chance to speak up and be heard. One of the key methods we used was a collaborative approach to both successes and obstacles. Rather than assigning blame when things went wrong, we fostered a mindset of shared responsibility. This fostered a sense of team unity and collaboration, which motivated us to work together to achieve our common goals.
Overall, the experience was extremely rewarding. It not only taught me to be more aware of the difficulties that others may encounter in cross-cultural communication, but it also allowed me to form meaningful connections and friendships with people from various cultural backgrounds. This experience has undoubtedly broadened my perspective and improved my ability to work effectively in diverse, global teams.

• Shahad Alqahtani

As a member of the team, I found this experiential activity to be incredibly enriching and valuable. Despite initial challenges with coordinating across time zones, we quickly found effective solutions and established a collaborative environment. It was refreshing to witness everyone’s dedication and willingness to make the project work despite the logistical hurdles. Managing cross-cultural dynamics proved to be a learning experience, but it was one filled with growth and understanding. Each member brought their unique perspective and cultural background to the table, enriching our discussions and approaches to problem-solving. Communication was key in navigating the diverse perspectives within the team. We utilized various communication channels, such as video calls, messaging platforms, and email, to ensure that everyone was kept informed and involved. Although there were occasional language barriers, we approached these instances with patience and empathy, ensuring that no one felt left out or misunderstood. Dealing with multiple time zones required flexibility and compromise. We established a rotating schedule for meetings to accommodate everyone’s availability as best as possible. It required careful planning and consideration, but ultimately, it allowed us to maintain momentum and progress towards our goals.
Overall, my participation in the virtual team was fulfilling. It was inspiring to collaborate with such dedicated and passionate teammates, all united by a common goal of promoting SDG 3: good health and well-being. The experience not only strengthened my understanding of global issues but also reinforced the importance of effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and teamwork in achieving shared objectives. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such a rewarding and enlightening experience.

References
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