19 SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth – Team 22

Team Reflection

What?
Our investigation of the connection between business and social impact throughout the AIM2Flourish stories has been deeply insightful. Every story has provided an insight into how companies may change the world when they are committed to social responsibility and sustainable development. The stories have presented a wide range of strategies for tackling Sustainable Development Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. The creativity and enthusiasm of the business owners behind these endeavors really stood out to us as we read through the stories. Their narratives centred on achieving meaningful global change as opposed to simply making money. Their dedication inspired us, their vision drew our attention, and we felt driven to address SDG 8 and how it creates social good through a business perspective.
The stories of these companies and initiatives resonate deeply with us because they each present a distinctive viewpoint on achieving SDG 8 while fostering economic expansion. Not only does Tamuku provide businesses and NGOs with a unique alert service, but it also has the ability to create jobs in the tech sector by providing useful support. This dual strategy is an excellent combination of business and social responsibility because it not only improves operational efficiency but also promotes economic growth. The emphasis on sustainable business practices by Profitable Purpose Consulting is an excellent example of the critical role that consulting firms play in promoting positive change. In addition to fostering environmentally and socially responsible practices, they also guarantee inclusion and long-term profitability. The commitment to achieving a balance between purpose and profit is admirable and shows a grasp of business’s place in society. What’s truly interesting is Martyni Campestre’s method of using land for peace-building initiatives. They plant the seeds for long-term economic prosperity in regions affected by conflicts by encouraging community development and agriculture in addition to creating jobs. Their dedication to promoting stability and economic growth in areas of conflict is commendable and crucial for long-term success.
The emphasis on recycling and giving recyclers second opportunities by Reciclajes Moreno highlights the power of sustainable practices. They solve environmental issues and support economic growth by creating jobs and encouraging the recovery of natural resources. Their focus on both economic sustainability and social effect sets a great example for waste management companies. Vitalstone’s commitment to providing career opportunities and vocational training to veterans and their families is truly inspiring and something that we all felt touched by. Given the particular difficulties faced by those making the transition to civilian life, their dedication to promoting economic inclusion and progress through veteran support services is imperative. Their initiatives honor veterans while also advancing the development of a more welcoming society. A glimpse of the possibility for sustainable living and economic growth can be seen in Cocoa Potash’s agricultural and community development activities. They support economic growth and the reduction of poverty by fostering agricultural innovation and generating jobs in rural areas. Their strategy of using entrepreneurship to solve societal issues is realistic and exciting. The emphasis that Asmara Inc. places on giving different talent opportunities emphasizes how crucial diversity and inclusion are to fostering innovation and economic expansion. Talent development and inclusive culture building open doors to a more equal workforce and thriving economy. Their dedication to removing obstacles and utilizing a range of viewpoints is crucial for creating a society that is more resilient and socially good.
The focus that Liberty Point Advisors places on sustainable finance and impact investment highlights the power of money as a force for good. Economic freedom and inclusive growth are fostered by providing underprivileged communities and businesses with easier access to money. Their commitment to balancing financial goals with the effects on society and the environment is noteworthy and signals a change in the direction of more ethical investing methods. Taller Sami’s handmade items honor Colombian culture and highlight the value of both the preservation of cultural heritage and economic development. They promote economic growth and cultural preservation by supporting regional craftspeople and generating jobs in the creative industries. Their dedication to advancing sustainable living through cultural entrepreneurship is essential. Aviatur provides an example for ethical economic development with its emphasis on conservation and eco-friendly tourism. They promote economic growth and environmental protection by generating employment opportunities in the tourism sector while preserving natural and cultural treasures. Their commitment to advancing environmentally responsible tourist practices reflects their larger goal of striking a balance between economic growth and protecting the planet. All in all, these stories inspire hope and admiration for the creative strategies employed by these companies and projects to fulfill SDG 8. Their dedication to environmental and social responsibility, together with their emphasis on inclusivity and economic progress, create a clear vision for sustainable development. These examples show the power of business as a force for good in the world.

So what?
Our investigation into the AIM2Flourish stories has been an unforgettable experience that has caused us to reflect carefully on the place of business in society and its immense ability to bring significant change to the world, especially social good. We saw as we immersed ourselves in the complex stories of these efforts that there were a lot of similarities between their pursuits and the fundamental ideas of sustainability and business ethics. The experiences we encountered struck an important connection with ideas like corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. These similarities strengthened our belief that companies have a deeper duty than just making money, they are stewards of the environment and society as well. The stories we read and discussed served as ways to question our assumptions about the intentions and actions of companies. We saw personally in each story how success was determined not just by monetary gains but also by the beneficial contributions one made to the environment and society. This discovery completely changed the way we think about corporate responsibility and the changing position of company leaders in today’s world. It became clear that business leaders had a big say in creating a more equitable and sustainable future, and that social and environmental factors need to be thoughtfully integrated into their decisions.
Interacting with the AIM2Flourish stories really confirmed some of our prior understanding of how companies may affect positive change in addition to maximizing profits. In talks on responsible business practices, the terms corporate social responsibility, sustainable development, and triple bottom line are well-known concepts. But going further into the individual stories of these efforts offered more insights into how these ideas are put to use in practical situations. It reinforced our conviction that business can be a transformative force for good in society by highlighting the actual benefits that companies can make to addressing urgent societal and environmental issues. Having said that, the investigation also revealed certain gaps in our present understanding. Even while we knew in general how important it is to incorporate social and environmental factors into business strategy, the stories made us aware of complexities and complications in this industry that we were unaware of. For example, the emphasis on the interdependence of social, economic, and environmental challenges emphasized the necessity of adopting more comprehensive strategies for sustainable development. This insight made us think about the ways in which we could improve and broaden our own understanding of these ideas.
Some of our beliefs regarding the intentions and actions of businesses were also called into question by the stories and businesses we covered. Although we have previously acknowledged the growing significance of sustainability and corporate social responsibility activities, we were fascinated by the extent and depth of the effect made by the initiatives, especially in AIM2Flourish. Any remaining doubts we may have had regarding the authenticity of such efforts went away when we saw companies actively prioritize social and environmental factors alongside financial rewards. It was a helpful reminder that companies can and need to function with goals beyond just financial gain.

Now what?
As we consider the AIM2Flourish stories, we are inspired and determined to pursue our goals with new enthusiasm. In addition to considering ourselves to be future business professionals, we also regard ourselves as change makers dedicated to using business to further social good. We’ve been forced by the stories to reconsider what success looks like in a world that is changing quickly and to consider corporations’ place in society critically. Each of us is motivated to follow the pathways that are consistent with our goals and values. Some of us are drawn to social entrepreneurship because we are excited to start businesses that tackle important environmental and social issues. Some people are interested in corporate sustainability and are working to bring about change within well-established companies. Regardless of the route we take, we are all dedicated to using our profession to change the world for the better. Together, we see a time when companies put people and the environment above profits, and when success is determined not just by financial success but also by social effect and environmental sustainability. Our dedication lies in our pursuit of policies and practices that foster fair opportunity, inclusive growth, and environmental sustainability. And we are thrilled to potentially be a part of an expanding group of companies that are redefining success and demonstrating that a business can be both profitable and socially good.

Specific 1: What did the team learn from this cross-cultural experience (in the context of anything you learned in your specific classes)

One thing that we as a team came to learn through this project was adaptability. This was something that became evident early on in this project as two thirds of our group were from different countries and thus experienced different time zones. This led to some having to stay up later than usual and some having to wake up earlier than usual in order to meet at a time where we were all available. At first this was hard as we all were balancing other classes and other assignments however, we were able to adapt and find times that worked for all of us in the end. Through this project we also learned each other’s communication styles with many of us meeting for the first time and many of us being unfamiliar with this project and having to communicate with people from other countries it was a bit of a learning curve however together we accommodate each other and learned through our many meetings how we can effectively communicate with each other. Lastly, we learned much about each other’s countries especially in the week 1 assignment where we were to pick a company from our respective countries and relate them to the SDG 8 that we were assigned to. This gave us all a small bit of insight on each other’s countries showing each other the values of these countries and the cultural norms that companies within these countries operate within.

Specific 2: How did the learnings in your courses supplement your teamwork.

One thing that we learned that definitely supplemented our teamwork was time management. This was extremely important for us as all of us had to balance this course with work from other courses and had to ensure that we were able to complete all tasks ahead of us in a timely manner and to the best of our abilities. Another thing that we learned that also helped our teamwork was our leadership skills. Being stronger leaders together helped us be more open with each other and allowed us to play off of each other’s strengths as well as allowing us to be able to split work up evenly amongst each other to ensure that we all were an equal part in the completion of our weekly tasks. It allowed us to become stronger in coordinating meetings and due dates amongst each other in which we respected and made sure to accomplish. Lastly, we learned how to communicate as a team. Through weekly zoom meetings as well as countless times messaging each other we became closer as a group and have grown into a team. This exercise has taught us about how one should effectively communicate in a team setting and the appropriate ways to respond to challenges through communication.

Specific 3: How was the work conducted (how was it distributed or done)

Throughout this COIL experience we worked together, considering the many time zones that each team member was in. We used Zoom to arrange weekly meetings, choosing a time that worked for everyone’s schedules in South Africa, Canada, and Indonesia. In these meetings, which lasted between 30 minutes to 1 hour, we talked about the assignment requirements as a group and assigned each other specific questions. Every question or doubt brought up by team members was answered in detail to make sure everyone was on the same page. We separated the questions into three sections so that everyone had a clear grasp of what needed to be done and had equal portions. In addition, in order to enable an on-time assignment submission, we decided on a deadline during our meetings. Outside of our regular meetings, we kept in touch and encouraged each other via a WhatsApp group chat, providing support and resolving any issues we ran into when finishing our portions. Throughout our project efforts, this structured approach promoted excellent communication, collaboration, and accountability.

Specific 4: Identify what worked and what did not work in your teamwork or interactions.

Looking back on our team’s joint efforts, a few elements stood out as effective means of increasing our performance overall, while a few issues revealed themselves as potential areas for development. Our dedication to holding frequent Zoom sessions at a time that accommodated all team members’ various time zones was what really made things function incredibly effectively. These meetings gave members great chances for thorough conversation and task delegation, which helped everyone grasp the goals of the assignment. Furthermore, by using a WhatsApp group outside of meetings, we were proactive in maintaining contact, which allowed us to solve problems and provide support as needed. Our ability to work well together may be attributed to our dedication to holding frequent meetings and taking the initiative to have conversations that ensure agreement on project goals and tasks. However, the main issue we had was that we were spread out geographically over multiple time zones, which on occasion led to scheduling conflicts and modifications. Despite this, the proactive attitude and adaptability of our team enabled us to successfully navigate these hurdles, demonstrating our shared dedication to accomplishing our goals. Overall, even if the logistical challenges caused by different time zones occasionally presented challenges, we were able to overcome these difficulties and work together smoothly to achieve our shared goals.

Individual Reflections

Charlie Francuz

I found this COIL experience exciting, especially working with people from different countries (South Africa and Indonesia). The only problem I experienced was adjusting to different time Zones because I had to wake up early in the morning to attend the meeting. For the few weeks, I really enjoyed working with my team members and collaborating with them. I believe that we have done quite well especially when it comes to communication because we always discussed our given tasks at the Zoom meeting and if a person didn’t understand something, clarity was given by the other group members. Personally, I have never experienced any communication challenge because we also used WhatsApp for further information sharing and engagement. I have never engaged in this type of activity before, so this experience was of a positive impact for me. It was also a great pleasure to meet with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Muhammad Hasan Adabi

This is my second time participating in COIL and I truly believe that this experience is better than the previous one. Previously I experienced several challenges on the first coil in 2022 as it was an uncomfortable project I guess because we were paired with the members who spoke Spanish all the time or throughout the meetings and they were not using English. So, this got most of the attendants confused. This year it was different because all my group members were using English to communicate so it enhanced an inclusive environment where we were all able to express our views and opinions. I really enjoyed working with my assigned team members because they had discipline, and we never experienced any challenges. I had to adjust to the different time zones, but it was not much of an issue because it is not that late on my side. We had a great collaboration, and I had an opportunity to learn about different cultures of my team members.

Tshepiso Chantell Kekana

This is my first-time doing COIL and I had an amazing experience working with people from different countries. I faced no challenges communicating with my group members because we ensured that everything was clear, and the assignment was narrowed down for everyone to understand. We also used WhatsApp for further communication. I had no issue with adapting to the different time Zones because we attended all the meetings midday. This was an awesome opportunity to interact with people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. We learnt a lot from each other about our cultures and we also spoke about the tourist attractions that are available in our countries. I would really love to get the opportunity to participate in the COIL project again in order to learn more about cultural diversity, work ethic and punctuality.

Ethan Baillie

I really enjoyed my experience working with my team in order to accomplish our goal for this COIL assignment. Collaborating with my teammates allowed me to leverage diverse perspectives, skills, and ideas, ultimately leading to a more comprehensive and well-rounded outcome. The camaraderie and teamwork fostered within the group created a supportive environment where my ideas felt valued and where I felt motivated to contribute my best efforts. Through effective communication and coordination, we were able to delegate tasks efficiently, meet deadlines, and overcome challenges together. Witnessing the weekly assignments come to fruition through our collective efforts was immensely rewarding. Not only did I gain valuable insights and knowledge from my peers, but I also developed crucial collaboration and problem-solving skills that I can apply in future endeavors. Overall, the experience of working in this COIL project was enriching, fulfilling, and a testament to the power of teamwork in achieving shared goals.

Suprise Machacha

The coil assignment has been amazing for my experience with consideration that it is done virtually with different international students from various backgrounds and cultures. It is my first time participating in this COIL assignment, but I am impressed with the teammates I have worked with the past weeks. In terms of engagement, as a group we have excelled by showing commitment in every meeting and reporting if one is going to be late or absent. Also, with regards to inclusion, the group has really excelled due to the fact that regardless of different languages spoken by students we sticked to English which accommodates and is easily understood by everyone. Through this assignment I have learnt diligence and commitment to my work as my teammates pushed professionality at the front. We managed to submit everything that was assigned to us in time due to the fact that there was a clear communication, collaboration, and respect to each other. As a group we really had shared goals which were to support each other due to our different backgrounds and personalities in the completion of each task. The COIL was not just about learning and putting SDGs into practice, but it was for social networking which is achieved in our group. We are not just regarding ourselves as colleagues but friends that support each other in sharing mechanisms on how to navigate some of the things in our academics, COIL assignment and life generally. I got to learn about other students’ iconic institutions and their prestigious cultures.

Rivaldean Aldrich Adrien
I really enjoyed this COIL team 22 to be honest because it is much better than the previous COIL teams I have worked with. In the previous COIL team I was, most things were done haphazardly but in comparison to this team 22, we were all organized, diligent, committed, and productive. It is a much better experience from my point of view as I have managed to work with different students abroad who are more respectful of the task assigned to all of us. Most importantly in comparison to my past experience I learnt that communication and valuing of opinions from each other as a team is important. This has led to an easier work environment that really produced good outcomes for the past weeks of COIL. With my participation in this assignment, it really has impacted my view of my career in terms of where I’ll be working and how to maintain sustainability in my work career.