Fueling the Future of Work: Creating Experiences Together
Carey OConnor Kolaja
Executive, Entrepreneur and Investor Dedicated to Building a More Inclusive, Trusted and Efficient World.
Three weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on the evolving landscape of remote work in a LinkedIn article. In that article, I alluded to our company's very first IRL gathering without revealing too much, keeping program details on the down low as only a few people knew how our journey to, in, and from Bentonville would unfold.??
Now, on the other side, when I reflect on the profound journey our team embarked upon, I am filled with a sense of pride and gratitude for the lasting sentiments we have cultivated together. The desired outcomes of Homecoming are already taking hold as our employees are filled with renewed energy, belief, and commitment to the mission at hand. The shared experiences and collective energy within our team will be the driving force that propels us forward into uncharted territories. It's not just about the tasks we accomplished or the projects we completed; it's about the relationships we forged, the challenges we overcame, and the resilience we demonstrated as a collective unit.?
One of our workshop speakers, Pascal Finette, talked about the importance of rolling the dice; you must find ways to roll them a lot before you win. We rolled the dice many times as we planned for Bentonville, and it paid off. From holding the programming details until two weeks out; randomly assigning welcome dinner locations (of which there were six, not one) at check-in; to pom poms and pop-up chocolate tastings; a surprise-filled award show; to jumbotron-esque projections during our final morning of reflections, we asked people to take a leap at every turn. Troy Elleston, one of our Research Specialists at Versapay, sums it up quite well: “This year's Homecoming was my first experience flying out for a "work-trip" and with nothing to compare it to and not knowing what to expect. But I have to say, the 8.5 hours in the air, both going and coming was definitely worth it. Spending time to work, collaborate, chat, and laugh with several colleagues across the org. quickly invigorated my spirit and remembrance for why I chose Versapay as my work-home in the first place.”?
In a small town in middle America, with one road from the airport and one town square, nestled away from the distractions of a big city, VEEPs assembled for Versapay Homecoming. For many, including me, this was also the first-time stepping foot in Arkansas. Through colleagues’ scouting trips and an incredible advancement in technology to tour venues and learn about a destination, I put trust in the first-hand recommendations and digital impressions being made (as we do with so many aspects of daily life). And, Bentonville, lived up to the recent hype; providing a charming place with tons of history and art and an inviting culture out to prove you can be disruptive and welcoming—what we aspire to be at Versapay.?
Our in-person experience, set against the backdrop of over 20+ venues over four days, also proved (more so, recalled) the importance of human connection and the challenges of maintaining it in a virtual setting. It's clear that the emotional presence in remote work is nuanced, varying from person to person. Back at our desks, joining video calls, we see some people flourish from their home's comfort, while others among the loudest voices in person have retreated. I am curious how many people that met but don’t have reason to meet are continuing their conversations. I am excited to see how we will experiment and iterate with ways to continue to feel like one outcome-oriented, customer-centric team; to bring those that were unable to attend along; to leverage newfound inside jokes (hi, Doug Hathaway), cherished memories, and, most importantly, a shared purpose and sense of belonging to bust through our screens until we next converge. It became clear that the increasingly rare experiences we create when we are together are what enable us to work more closely when we are apart.?
A good friend once handed me Rick Rubin’s book, The Creative Act, which talks about the importance of discovering the unexpected in the places around you as a way to inspire creativity. Bentonville is immersed in the art of the unexpected. Every corner, every surface is an opportunity to explore, and this is what led us to choose the town to inspire all of us at Versapay to think about what we do with a renewed creative lens. Mr. Rubin states that “Sometimes when we do something and find success in the way we’ve done it, we think this is the way...it works. But it’s rarely the only way, and it can quickly become a limiting belief if you start making things that all start seeming similar. So, open up to try a completely different way using a different pallet.” This was the call to all of us in our company—to think differently and always grow in what we do.??
Bentonville was the ideal backdrop to encourage design thinking and unlock new ideas because it’s a town that embraces radical beautification. We were inhabiting a place that allowed us to shake things up, move things around. We could choose the spaces and moments that resonated with each of us, to enable our best work. At Versapay Homecoming, we pushed beyond the task, beyond the transaction, to a space of transformation, intentional creation, and strategy. This was an evolutionary moment for our company that began before we arrived and will continue long past our departure. It served as a new way to recognize that we are high performers, capable of great achievements, envisioning possibilities, solving pain points, and creating meaningful solutions for our customers.??
?I am proud of the team who took a leap with me, at the outset perhaps questioning why Bentonville but emerging with a desire to understand what a small town in Middle America has to offer. A place of intentional, resourceful and kind people who are embracing the vision of Alice Walton, where art, nature, and structures converge; where things that were unlikely to be imagined are combined to foster innovative discourse. Bentonville serves as a reminder that 1) disruption doesn’t have to be cold or exclusive; it can be warm, inviting, and inclusive and 2) realizing a vision requires imagining the far-out possibilities and purposely, patiently shaping the outcome day after day.?
When 2D becomes 3D, when the digital becomes physical, shared experiences unlock shared challenges, which unite and transcend functions, locations, job responsibilities; it creates a sense of community, belonging, and belief in why we are assembled and ready to solve the greatest challenges our customers face.?
Thank you Visit Bentonville for your subtle but substantial role in ensuring Versapay Homecoming was everything we envisioned, just a few months ago.??
Homecoming events like yours truly embody the spirit of togetherness and innovation! ?? Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Your gathering sounds like it was a monumental step towards success. By the way, Treegens is championing a cause for a greener tomorrow with a sponsorship opportunity for the Guinness World Record of Tree Planting, perfectly aligning with innovative missions like yours. Here's a chance to make history together: https://bit.ly/TreeGuinnessWorldRecord ???? #GreenInnovation #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork
Chief Heretic and Founder @ radical? | The Future is a Renewable Resource | Author of Disrupt Disruption | GYSHIDO-San
1 年Thank you so much for having me Carey OConnor Kolaja – what an amazing event, location (huge kudos to Bentonville!), and—most importantly—group of people!
President/CEO, Visit Bentonville
1 年Our team is excited to be hosting your employees. We look forward to seeing everyone. Heather has loved working with your team. #visitbentonville
Angel Oak Advisory
1 年Kalene Griffith and her team at VISIT BENTONVILLE are world class. Thank you for visiting our special part of the world!