Worknow_Aotearoa_NZ

Sailing is an investment of time that I consider a rather noble pursuit but then I am biased because my dad was an avid sailor -  John Lee, Skipper of the Leeway – and he was easily one of the hero’s of my life.

leeway: To slip sideways downwind while moving forward.

Yet this adds weight to the fact that I’ve heard several people talking about sailing this year, from simply learning how to sail to planned journeys around the world.

And it is their sense of purposeful adventure and discovery that has inspired my thoughts on the direction of my personal endeavors as well as our company this year.

Time to change tack

I resolved earlier this year to keep a written journal, a common device of those sailing the oceans.  Indeed, I much prefer the creative process of writing ones thoughts vs blogging and I struggled immensely over the past week to find the inspiration to add value to our blog conversation so far.

Beside commenting on articles that inspire conversation or challenge my thinking it seems 2009 provided all the time needed to convey our vision, values and service. Upon reflection I realise that I have said all I need to say about Worknow and it is simply time to change tack.

Tacking – Basic sailing maneuver refers to turning the bow of the boat through the wind so that the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other side.

While we maintain our heading, we now power up the sails with the stories of those with whom we collaborate and whose bearing impacts on the work that we do.

Indeed, it is only through the collaboration and support of people, with the vision and creativity to apply Time Trade as a tool to encourage volunteering in their own community, can we hope to reach our way-points.

Ready About

I hope to increasingly use this blog to share the story of those that serve our communities in the most direct sense of the word. I hope, like me, you will find their stories inspiring and thought provoking.

Most importantly I hope to convey the conscious, collective community spirit under which these people and teams operate in order to inspire and encourage us all  to volunteer our time and talent on a regular and ongoing basis.

Using the simple tools now at your fingertips just imagine what we can achieve, what change we can effect and the difference we will make when we work now, together for causes that benefit us all.

To build a world class business that helps people and effects change.

“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. And what you do serves as the proof of what you believe,”

HOW Worknow

On the basis of our shared values; recognising each others talents and working together in a spirit of trust and collaboration.

1. EXCELLENCE : We aim to be number one in our field and constantly strive to improve.
2. SERVICE : Helping people is our passion, exceeding expectations our reward.
3. INTEGRITY : We keep our promises, treat people fairly and value open and honest communication.
4. COLLABORATION : talented people, working together for the benefit of each other
5. BALANCE : work / life – future / present
6. GRATITUDE : We are thankful for our blessings and embrace both rewarding and challenging circumstances with open hearts.

WHAT Worknow

Work Now is a community marketplace to help people find volunteer and paid work opportunities. Join our talent community and create your talent profile to connect with people and work opportunities.

Our Values; what is important to us in life and in business

A wise person once told me about the importance of establishing shared values. His advice, when given, was in regards to a personal relationship but being the most inspiring entrepreneurial leader I’ve had the privilege of working with (so far, I expect there will be many more) I naturally applied his advice to working relationships too.

Discovering Shared Values

On the basis of said advice perhaps the most important thing we did in establishing Worknow was to take the time to discuss our values.

Way back right at the beginning, seven months ago, when Jamie and I first began to look at working together we sat down and discussed the values that are important to us. The values that defined who we are, what we do and why we make certain decisions.

This not only helped us recognise that we were highly compatible as business partners it also established our shared set of beliefs with which to guide our venture moving forward. Initially, we listed and expanded upon:

1. Leadership
2. Helping People
3. Community
4. Business Excellence
5. Communication
6. Integrity
7. Gratitude
8. Lifestyle

Of One Accord; Refining Our Values

In discussing with Josh whether he would work with us our values were again one of the first things we discussed.And being the gifted young man that he is, Josh helped us to refine our company values even further and so eight became six;

• Leadership, Business Excellence and Innovation combined under our value of Excellence
• Helping People and Community both focused on the value of Service to Others
• Communication and Integrity spoke of one accord
• Plus we added Collaboration because it is fundamental to everything we strive to achieve

Our founding company values

It is on the basis of these shared values – recognising each others talents and working together in a spirit of trust and collaboration – that we move our company forward.

1. EXCELLENCE: We aim to be number one in our field and constantly strive to improve.
2. SERVICE: Helping people is our passion, exceeding expectations our reward.
3. INTEGRITY: We keep our promises, treat people fairly and value open and honest communication.
4. COLLABORATION: talented people, working together for the benefit of each other
5. BALANCE: work / life – future / present
6. GRATITUDE: We are thankful for our blessings and embrace both rewarding and challenging circumstances with open hearts.

Our team is our greatest strength

I am so thankful to have Jamie and Josh to work with and I have immense faith in our ability to honour the values we have set or ourselves. With our Beta so close, I thought it timely to reflect on why we are doing this. The hard work is about to begin. I can’t wait! xo

Trust & Collaboration

Companies and leaders in today’s knowledge economy are beginning to recognise that traditional command and control methods of leadership are no longer the most effective way to inspire the best from people. Instead there’s a growing recognition that networked collaboration is the way of the future.

Ok, I am bias because collaboration is one of our founding values and I have issues with 80’s management theory. Words like power and  control, creep me out.

But no use complaining right, one must act hence our new venture - Worknow - where we connect talented people willing to trust and collaborate with each other and support flexible forms of work such as contract, project, freelance, and volunteer work.

Now, I noticed recently my tendency to sing about co-operation when contemplating ways to collaborate which raises two questions.

Are collaboration and cooperation the same thing?

They are defined quite differently by www.dictionary.com 

co⋅op⋅er⋅a⋅tion[koh-op-uh-rey-shuhn]

NOUN

1. an act or instance of working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit; joint action.

2. more or less active assistance from a person, organization, etc.: We sought the cooperation of various civic leaders. 

3. willingness to cooperate: to indicate cooperation. 

4. Economics. the combination of persons for purposes of production, purchase, or distribution for their joint benefit: producers’ cooperation; consumers’ cooperation. 

5. Sociology. activity shared for mutual benefit.

6. Ecology. mutually beneficial interaction among organisms living in a limited area.

VS

col⋅lab⋅o⋅ra⋅tion[kuh-lab-uh-rey-shuhn]

NOUN 

1. the act or process of collaborating.

2. a product resulting from collaboration: This dictionary is a collaboration of many minds.

Yet, I always “assumed” an interdependence becasue by my understanding effective collaboration requires co-operation. But now to the next question, which speaks even greater volumes about my education…

Why this song? “Co-operation, makes it happen. Co operation, working together”

 Clearly it was a song lyric from somewhere and when I goggled the lyrics I was not at all surprised to find that its actually one of the regular skits from an influential childhood programme…go on, take a guess. Here’s a clue. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12…

Yes, apparently my entire philosophy around collaboration stems from the Muppet’s on Sesame Street. Which in turn supports my belief that early education is a great place to develop a more collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.

Co-operation … makes it happen

Co-operation … working together

Dig it!

Co-operation … makes it happen

Co-operation … working together

Muppet In Shades:

I saw these crazy dudes

And they went out on the street

They were cleanin’ out the empty lot

And makin’ it neat

I said, “Man is this cool

What you tryin’ to do?”

They said, “Makin’ a garden

For me and for you.”

They said:

All:

Hey man, join us

Come on, let’s go

Together we can make a pretty garden grow

Girl: I’ll dig a hole

Guy: And I’ll plant a seed

Together: And we can add the water

That all growin’ things need

All:

Co-operation … makes it happen

Co-operation … working together

Dig it!

Co-operation … makes it happen

Co-operation … working together

metrolyrics.com

Not only do I heed the advice of muppets, I’m also involved with community gardens.  Scary, influential stuff our early childhood education.

Using video and the recent 350 Climate Actions we sort to portray the the integral role social media plays in connecting and engaging with Gen Y volunteers.

Initially, I was worried no one would turn up but when I saw we were to split the session with Lani Evans, the 2009 Recipient of Vodafone’s “World of Differnce”  I must admit, I was relieved.

Lani’s reputation preceded her, as did we in the Workshop format, so at the very least everyone coming to see her would have to sit through our presentation first.

We didn’t exactly stick with the abstract submitted but it was reassuring to see that at least three points that we made around Gen Y Volunteers:-

• the use of social media
• collaboration vs control
• work experience

Were confirmed in person by the talented young volunteers (14 – 17yrs) that accompanied Lani on the road trip up from Dunedin.

Although we did not use the opportunity to discuss our own project hopefully between ourselves and the Otago Volunteering crew we provided some first hand insight into the collaborative and visual style of Gen Y volunteers.

Thanks toVolunteering NZ for the opportunity to attend and be heard.

Saturday 24th October 2009, International Day of Climate Action

This weekend I was absolutely inspired by the collaborative efforts and talents of our young people driving action and solutions for climate change. The leadership that encouraged and inspired action is living proof that Gen Y is a growing force for positive change. 

The creation of a Spring Food Festival, that drew more than 15000 visitors to the Dunedin Railway Station on Saturaday,  shows that collaboration  – with a focus on solutions vs. problems  – is the best way to get individuals, communities, countries in fact the entire planet to unite for the common good.

For more information on the wonderful work of 350 teams around aotearoa and the world check out some of these links:-

• www.350.org.nz
• www.350.org
• Follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/350nz
• Become a fan on Facebook  www.facebook.com/350aotearoa
• Photo evidence www.flickr.com/photos/350org/sets/

It’s time to provide greater recognition for all types of volunteer community work because while it’s not the kind of work that “pays the bills”  it is the efforts of volunteers in our community, every single day, that connects and holds our society together. Massive Respect.

Promoting the benefits of contract outsourcing over full-time employment

Rather than just blogging about why full-time permanent employment is not the most effective or efficient way to get work done I’ve decided to take a more direct approach. 

For a couple of months now I’ve been hunting down job positions, advertised on Seek or Trade me, that I recognise as having contract potential and  “applying” for jobs that match my talent, skills and experience – just not in the “traditional” sense of a job application.

Web Wizard Wanted

We require a tertiary-qualified, web savvy, graphic-skilled, customer-focused IT guru who is dedicated to effectively deliver quality online information to our clients and their customers. Our Web Wizard will have skills in the following areas:

• Client-side development
• Web Communication
• Multimedia web scripting
• Server-side development
• Ability to build and maintain web sites to the highest level.
• Ability to design and re-design web site in a co-ordinated approach with marketing, branding and sales focus.
• Strong IT background.
• Well developed and demonstrable graphic art skills
• Demonstrable ability to effectively communicate with people inside and outside of the workplace.
• Client interface.
• Capacity to work on a virtual Greenfield site.
• Must have “The Geek Touch” blended with passion, drive, creativity and ambition to succeed and work towards the next career level

This job opens up a new box of toys to let the Web Wizard’s creative juices flow, and includes animated advertising elements, video streaming, blogging, interactive magazines and advertisements, installation and maintenance of all screen advertising and links, uploading the latest media news as it breaks, uploading the daily newspaper and associated company magazines, and establishing a platform for viable and positive online commercial trade…

Using my CV & cover letter to promote contract outsourcing  as the most effective way to get work done.

Dear John,
 
I read on Seek that you are looking for a web wizard, a talented creative, marketing and people person with technical development and design skills.
 
Kia Ora, my name is Renee Lee and I am an intelligent, motivated and hardworking young women with a passion for helping people, providing solutions and making things happen.
 
I’m looking for a part-time contract role that will allow me the flexibility to pursue the development of my own company which supports and promotes more flexible ways of getting work done. Therefore, I offer for your consideration an alternative to the current full-time position you described.

If I may, based on my seven+ years in online business development, I venture to suggest that you split the role between two or more performance based contractors.

Performance based contracting would allow you to achieve superior results, within the same budget as you suggest and would effectively:

• Allow you to employ the talents of two or more, marketing, design and development specialists
• Delineate responsibility for performance to improve focus, output and productivity
• Provide a performance incentive
• Expand your available talent resources

As a business catalyst, I can provide you a talented team of online specialists to fulfil the work requirements you outline within your  budget…please keep me in mind should you consider a collaborative, talented, team approach an effective and efficient means to accomplish the work you envision for this role. For more information please feel free to check out some links that reflect another part of the work I do:-
 
www.twitter.com/lee0007
www.twitter.com/time_trade
www.twitter.com/350_nz
 
Thank you for taking the time to consider a more flexible approach to achieveing the results your require. I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Kind reagrds,
 
 
Renee Lee
Co Founder & Catalyst
Worknow Ltd
+64 21 18 300 50
+64 3 455 3901
www.worknow.co.nz

Changing the employment mindset is going to take a whole lot of time and letters of rejection but I can handle the rejection because every seed planted is a potential future collaborator.

Independence vs Collaboration

I will always value my independence and my ability to make things happen but in the past my strong willed independence was one of my greatest weaknesses. As a gifted young person, my attitude to achieving goals was always self determined, borderline egotistical and admittedly I believed that “…if you want something done right, do it yourself…”

However, in retrospect this philosophy perpetuated a self-delusion. It did not help me expand my talent and although I was nearly always (99.98%) able to achieve my desired outcome I now recognise that in being so “independent” I was isolating myself and limiting what could have otherwise been achieved through collaboration with others.

There were unique characteristics holding New Zealand’s [entrepreneurial] development back, such as reluctantance to look for help and build a team. Source

In Collaboration with Talented Other’s

Recognising that every single person has talents which can add value for myself and others is fundamental to the development of Worknow. Time Trade especially is designed to recognise and highlight the fact that we all have talents that are of value to each other and our communities.

Today’s networking tools have created an environment where communication, collaboration and coordination are becoming second nature. They need simply be applied in our real life communities to make it quicker and easier to get work done.

No longer limited by time or place or disadvantaged by the costs of travel, the concept of using networking tools to facilitate collaboration begins a paradigm shift in the way we think about and accomplish work.

Recognise Weakness; Work to your Strengths

Yet despite knowing and believing that I need the help of other’s I still sometimes lack the patience and skill to just listen and hear people out. Instead, I sometimes find myself, forming replies in my mind rather than actively listening.

So when a friend replied to a similar statement I made about myself with “…it’s good that you see that because I see it as one of your weaknesses…” and launched into a conversation about why and how I should change, I opted to just let him speak, I bit my tongue and I let him tell me things I already knew about myself (oh you noticed that did you, well done) and voila! I gained this insight:-

It will always be more important to recognise people on the basis of their talents rather than their weaknesses

On the topic of you, trust yourself.

Constructive criticism has its place but we could easily spend too much time attempting to overcome weakness that are simply the shadow of our strengths. We all have faults and in the main we probably recognise them. Doing something about them is not meant to be easy but a good place to begin is simply being conscious of them and making changes where we can.

If you focus too much on mitigating faults you lose time wherein you could be building upon your strengths. I may never stop that childish know-it-all voice that thinks “…I know what you’re saying….” but I can ignore it, hold my tongue and in hearing people out perhaps gain insight to help me expand my talents.