Shoot for the moon!

Just under a year ago, I wrote a post on the day I started with Kernel. It was the start of a journey unknown, but one filled with great potential. I certainly was excited to get going, and I knew I would give it everything I had.

Well, I did, and it has been exhausting, challenging, exciting and most importantly a lot of fun! 

We achieved loads too. This year we have delivered eight awesome new workplaces, over 13,500 sqm. We currently have six projects, over 7,250 sqm, underway and into the new year. We’ve been lucky to work with diverse and talented project teams including nine interior designer firms, seven contractors, five services engineers and four quantity surveyors amongst many other quality providers and subject matter experts.

A big thank you to all our clients and those that we have worked together with this year. It has been fantastic!

Whilst delivering amazing projects and working with fun and creative project teams is certainly a highlight of the year, the best thing has been watching the Kernel team grow. When I started in January there were seven on us, we are now 14. Sure our weekly Friday breakfast is slightly more challenging, but always a great way to end the week. We are also fast running out of space too, but I’m not worried on this front. Finding and creating new workspaces is what we do, right?

My team. I’m so proud of my team. 

First came Alex Domergue. Alex is a talented young man, learning so fast, growing in confidence every day and essentially delivering projects on his own now (and enjoying the post completion process!). Also, he graduated this year with a first class honours! Well done Alex! I was quite nervous when Alex started. It meant that I would have to learn to delegate?! Luckily for me, Alex grabbed every task with vigour and both taught me to delegate, and also talk slowly through a process. Thanks Alex!

Then arrived Gisela LaPoint (aka G). G and I have known each other for over a decade. I first, kind of, hired G back in 2005. It has been amazing to watch G develop into a talented and experienced project manager. The particular skill repertoire that sets G apart is that she spent the last seven years on the dark, sorry, construction side. I was so happy to be working with G again, and she has definitely exceeded my expectations. Thanks G!

Finally, and thanks to Alex, Edwina Zhang joined the team. Edwina settled in so quickly into the groove of being a project manager. This was all the more impressive as she probably received as many emails in her first few weeks as she had in a year in her previous role. Edwina has worked closely with me, and selfishly, she has made such a difference to my year. For all the phone calls you have made (and those you love getting!), and meetings attended. Thanks Edwina!

To everyone else in the Kernel Team, I love coming to work and working with you all! 

So it has been a busy year, and it won’t be slowing down next year. Enjoy the break, enjoy your loved ones and family, rest up and see you in 2018!

Best we now ‘Shoot for the moon’! 

Thanks for reading.

Kai