by Catalina Paun
Supporting fresh ideas and new perspectives for a positive work environment!
Last year, analyzing the needs of our organization, we reached the conclusion that even though the technology is becoming more and more advanced and we are constantly learning and adapting to new technologies, at the end of the day, human interaction is still incredibly important. While automation and digitalization can streamline processes and increase efficiency, it's the people behind those processes that truly make them successful.
And we have some really great people in the #ITSScommunity!
Statistics show that learning & development is essential for 61% of employees in organizations, and more than 73% feel a sense of belonging when they participate in trainings and workshops organized by their employer. Well-being and personal development are among the most important benefits for most, giving a sense of fulfillment to more than 50% of employees according to Glassdoor. Research has shown also that companies with higher levels of employee engagement tend to have better financial performance, customer satisfaction, and even employee retention rates. This is because engaged employees are more likely to go above and beyond in their work, provide better customer service, and stay with the company long-term.
Another HR study done in 2022 shows that 61% of employees agree that they have made healthier lifestyle choices because of their company’s wellness program.
Internal surveys done in our own community have provided us with similar results. Learning, development & well-being together with internal online & onsite events organized for our teams, make people feel much more appreciated and supported in their evolution, both as professionals and as individuals.
The ITSS project: “More than Tech”
Inspired by these statistics and feedbacks, in November 2022 we launched this new project called “More than Tech”, a series of events focused on personal development and dedicated to our community of professionals in IT Smart Systems.
Each event hosts one special guest, with expertise and results in a specific field of interest for our colleagues. The main areas of interested are psychology, communication & public speaking, art, literature, sports, inner-development and health & nutrition.
The sessions are kept online, on Microsoft Teams, and are dedicated to the ITSS Community but open to the entire IT community in Romania & Moldova. The length of one event is of approximately two hours, and the structure of each session is similar to a workshop, with knowledge sharing, exercises, interaction, and with space for a Q&A at the end.
More than Tech #1
For our first “More than Tech” session, that took place in November 2022, we invited professor Mircea Miclea, for an honest and profound talk about the good and the challenging impact of work flexibility on our professional life, personal life, and most important on our inner development.
Mircea Miclea is a doctor in psychology and has a master’s degree in business administration. He is also a professor of cognitive science at Babes Bolyai University in Cluj Napoca and the founder of the cognitive school in Romanian psychology. He was the Minister of Education from 2004 until 2005 and is currently doing research and product development, combining psychology with technology.
The workshop was very insightful and inspiring, making us much more aware of how much our lives have changed in the last 3 years and the measures we should take to adapt to this new way of working. He pointed out the main challenges of a remote work environment and some keys to maintaining the balance between our work life and personal life, keys that we aim to apply more and more since then, individually and in the entire organization.
More than tech #2
The second guest for this series was Veronica Coberman, well-known journalist and public speaking trainer in Chisinau. Her workshop was very interactive and helped us develop our speech as a main contributing factor to the success of any presentation.
The IT industry is not only about the development of technology but also about the way we pitch an idea, inspire a team, address issues, and give feedback. In more general terms, the way we communicate is essential, from a simple stand-up meeting to a big project presentation.
Through her presentation but especially through the exercises and tongue twisters she engaged us in, we all learned alot about the hidden powers that our voice has.
Conclusion
The “More than Tech” series happens every 3 months, every time meeting a new guest speaker with valuable knowledge to share, a new topic and a new opportunity to learn and develop new skills and understandings. In this way, the community is constantly exposed to fresh perspectives and ideas, which can help to stimulate creativity and innovation.
In conclusion, while technology continues to advance and transform the way we work, it's important to remember that people are still at the heart of any successful organization. By valuing and investing in our employees, we can create a work environment that is both efficient and fulfilling.
Follow our events page or our LinkedIn channel for more information about the next workshops & events, and join us!
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