Change is Good?

Looking back on my first 2 ½ weeks in Uberlandia gives me motivation for my final 1 ½ weeks.  As our time in Uberlandia rapidly passes, Hajira and I renewed our commitment to Ipe and the reasons we are here.  Our “sense of urgency” just ratcheted up a little knowing that our last 8 business days will be filled with numerous minute meetings, final updates, and presentations.  We plan to complete all of our documents by close of business (COB) Friday, 9/27.  To date, here are the documents we have created:

• HR Framework manual (Word .doc)
• Job Description, Roles & Responsibilities, & Skills document  (Word .doc)
• "Leave" Form  (Word .doc)
• Mission Statement
• Organogram (i.e., an Org Chart)
• Implementation Plan outlining how Ipe should adopt their new processes / procedures on monthly & quarterly basis
• 3 – 4 Other Miscellaneous spread sheets and Data Capture forms

This afternoon, Toni held a team meeting under the gazebo, and for the first time he used the white board I purchased for Ipe.  Given how the entire board was covered with Action Items, I’m not sure if the Ipe staff looked at me too kindly.  Toni presented his team with an aggressive timeline to be completed by the end of next week.  What it showed me is Ipe’s willingness to embrace change and take on new challenges.  From my vantage point, I feel they have all accepted this change exceptionally well.  I am confident that when I’m back in the U.S. and Hajira has returned to Australia, all members of the Ipe team will openly embrace the changes we’ll be presenting to them for years to come.  

                 

P.S. – Today, my first 4GB memory card filled completely with its 1,000^th image (approximately).  In today’s digital world, I guess photographers take “images”, not “pictures.  There is one thing I’m sure of…  These images will translate to hundreds of memories of my time in Brazil.

                

#ibmcsc brazil