I started courting this job 5 months ago ever since I met Sriram in November, 2010. I must say that I was dazzled by the plans that he hadfor Kenya and his basic thought processes. For an outsider to grasp the needs of the Kenyan community so well when our own are still hovering around them, better yet the proposed solutions that he had, I knew iridium would be a perfect fit for me if not for anything else to learn how to really think.

Today, I sit in one of the largest banks in Kenya oozing with information, having just finished two trainings in a row on wireframes, project flow and the art of story telling. Mind you that is all in 2 hours (thanks to Nishanth,Archie and Salahuddin); pray tell what have I learnt over the month??  Tons!! I am so much better than the moment I arrived here.

I was previously thinking at 20,000 feet above the ground, now am sure I have elevated my thought processes to at least 50,000 feet.

29th April, Break for Cake the ii-way!

On Friday 29th April, we had our first Monthly Huddle as the Kenyan team; it was held at the memorial park, away from our structured work environment and work space. It was a great way to build a rapport amongst ourselves and forge our way forward strongly as a team. Luckily or coincidentally, 2 of our new team members (Florence and Martin aka Flomart ) had their birthdays during the month and Juliet got some cake for all so we cheered them on.  Annie was declared the employee of the month — which she rightfully deserves — but which I will also vie for come end this month. Thank God Sri has not been around most of the time this month! *sigh*

The team has been very welcoming, I must give props to the recruiting department for my new friends; Sujana, Ravi and all the others who have spared time to explain processes to me, borne with my learning phase, taken time to say hello…I am glad I know you all!

In this one month, I have had the opportunity to work with Sri, Juliet and Annie on the Kenyan front, the previous projects have set very high benchmarks for those that are now in progress and the prospective ones. The trust in me is immense and I pray to live up to it. The Kenyan team is growing and we are striving to retain the core values as taught to us by Sriram and the rest of the Indian team.

Huddle for Cak

To iridium I am a project manager, a trainer, a leader, a follower, a friend…and also soon to be actress

So you ask, what really have I learned from iridium?

iridium is to think out of the box, yet still have the ability to package those thoughts in a simple attractive box; it is to deliver beyond measure without intimidating the immediate environment; it is to commit oneself to permanent growth with the appreciation of broadened horizons; it is to stay positive, be happy and have fun even when all things seem to crowd you; it is to practice what you preach; it is to be efficient and effective beyond human comprehension; it is to be the best you can possibly be!

I am now proud to introduce you to Rachel 2.0 (A Work in progress).

If I can do it to a large bank, why not to me?? In the same way, why not inspire you to do it to yourself?

A mouthful in progress :)

Huddle Participants Sky and Flo (Rachel on extreme right)