Giving back to society?

In my way back from 2018 Christmas vacations, I was in a flight from Mexico to San Juan when in Panama during the change of flights I had the opportunity to chat with Pablo Cueto, (https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/pablo-cueto-42b5ab19/ ), a colleague from Mexico who was coming to Puerto Rico and who during the conversation asked for hints about Puerto Rico

I told him I was almost new in the country and tried my best to talk about the wonderful places that I had visited already and also where he could find those species and foods from our country to smooth a bit his transition as well as some economic data, of course his firm has a team supporting as any of the firms help the onboarding process to professionals that are moved to different countries, however since I am about to meet him again, I was thinking what could I pass along to him, so this idea came to my mind/

After almost my entire career in the same firm, I received the opportunity to move to Puerto Rico and lead the Supply Planning department to move the supply chain organization in restoring the pipeline of a reliable supply and to improve the inventory and service level while reducing the Back Order situation, I came with all the knowledge and the attitude to drive this effort and along with the team were able to accomplish these 3 main initiatives in less time than initially anticipated and reshaping the organization which as professional filled my expectations, what I did not expect was the welcome of the full team and all the persons that I met during these last 9 months. so much warmth and friendship create the need to give back, I am sure my compatriot will experience the same at one point of his tenure

I was wondering how can I give back? and in that process that I passed last year here are advices for all my colleagues who either have expats assignments or have the privilege to be invited to work in a country that is not the one they were born in.

Let's start for the simple things, see what organisms are in need of support, check their websites and confirm that the funds are well distributed, I selected one that covers all the things I wanted to see: Fondos Unidos is that organization that supports on a transparent manner all the areas from supporting extreme conditions, poverty, health to promote culture and art!

Next tip is do something that you either like or want to learn, I remember when I was a kid I went with my uncle to reforest part of Puebla's Sierra Norte in a campaign that was planting pines in that region, so when I learned of a program called Para La naturaleza Inc.

So, I registered and went with the team of my firm to that restoration of native species in the Fajardo area of Puerto Rico called "Las Cabezas de San Juan", it was a very interesting and entertaining activity that just by experiencing that you will be part of something for future generations was simply put: a soul connection

The next tip is to do activities that can expand your knowledge while collaborating with your industry, in this case thanks to the my colleagues I was able to connect with the team of Puerto Rico cluster of Medical Devices, where I started collaborating as part of the Sustainability and growth committee, making a SWAT analysis in the effort to building those capabilities towards the cluster's vision; I am so excited to be part of it, I am sure we will achieve the goals. and I am sure I will post more articles related to this topic very soon

Last but not least, I am a firm believer of education as engine to improve the live of each person in society, so I tried to connect with some colleges and have not been successful yet, I am open as I am sure that will come

Well, these were my notes to all the professional colleagues who leave their countries to support organizations around the globe, I can assure you, the mere fact that it is a bridges creation to cultures and to friendships is totally worth it!!