March 28, 2016: Happy belated Easter! I hope everyone was good and the Easter Bunny brought lots of chocolate, dyed eggs, and wonderful family time. It’s been a bit somber this past week and one of great reflection – a week to make us feel thankful for what we have given the terrible things that keep effecting those around us. Being in Europe I feel closer to the pain and grief that the families, friends, and colleagues of those who have been traumatized and hit through these recent acts of terrorism have been facing. I feel thankful and so grateful for what I have and it really gives new meaning to living each day for the fullest because we don’t really know what that next moment will bring. Please be sure to take some time and reflect this week and understand what your relationships really mean and how each person adds value to who you are and how you show up. How does what you do impact others? What is the legacy you are leaving behind? It can be gone in an instant. While my journey in Europe continues on, I feel our world become more grief stricken every day, and it is a very harsh reality to face – one I feel closer to as an adult. Be kind. Be humble. Don’t take the little things for-granted. Enjoy.
March 18, 2016: I hope every had a very green and delightful St. Patrick’s Day! (Happy belated to my Grandma Ruby in heaven!) – One very important thing I learned in France this week…they don’t PINCH if you don’t wear green on St. Patty’s Day. Good thing I did not try…though I did tell the tradition and my team here through it was hilarious. — This week was really about digging deeper, understanding what strategy means to our team, and building stronger relationships in France. Words cannot express the appreciation I have for the team here and the safe environment they are creating for me to learn about our business, about the culture, and to speak the language. I was social, I explored, I am building tighter bonds with the team, and loving every second of each day. Going home in three weeks will be challenging. Bon weekend! Je vais voyager a Paris pour le weekend. Je suis tres excite!!! Je vais prendre beaucoup des photos et de partager sur Facebook!
March 11, 2016: Week one came to an amazing close today. Lots of wonderful things happened this week. Associates were connected, I began building some amazing relationships, and learned many lessons on change of this kind. It takes time. We have to learn, appreciate, and understand the history to move forward as a global business. My time in France is dedicated to just that – to appreciate the journey our team has been on and communicate with our counterparts to build a better and stronger My M&M’s global community and business. We can’t operate in silos any longer. We need to think global while still supporting our local markets. We will succeed! And my time here is just a point in time to push start. Cheers to a good weekend everyone!
March 9, 2016: The last two days have been really inspiring for me. It has been intensive with 1:1 conversations between me and the team here, as well as, figuring out ways of working for me and my HR counterparts on the ground supporting the day to day. I realize how much they do, how much I do and will rely on their expertise, and most importantly, that I cannot do it alone. Huge leadership lesson for me!
Strasbourg (right before my phone died during my run…where I was filming)
I’m almost on a normal sleep schedule — getting lost is one of the coolest things to do here — wine is extremely inexpensive — life is much simpler, in the best way possible. Enjoi le video et le photo! Aussi!!! I figured out the self-service weigh and price vegetable section at the market. Success!
March 7, 2016: Well day one was pretty amazing! Not only was I greeted with the traditional French *kiss kiss* on each cheek, which is always lovely, but the warmest welcome from the entire My M&M’s team here in Haguenau. It’s been a day of digging in, appreciating the talent we have on board, learning what they do (and how they get it done), and providing reassurance that today is business as usual. We all have the same goals as we all contribute to the same business ecosystem, but our approaches to a successful outcome are vastly different, and I am looking forward to digging deeper here. On the flip, we share many of the same growing pains, business barriers, and appreciation for the amazing organization that we are a part of. Our principles are the guiding light to decision making and how we show up every single day. They actually unify our two teams even greater as they provide us with a common language and internal value system.
Did I mention the best part of my day? Naturally, when networking and getting to know the people you work with, what do you talk about? Dating. Oh yes – the lovely topic of dating arose. And when I told my colleague I was single she said, and I quote, “I don’t understand why because you are a bright light full of life and energy. Who wouldn’t want that?” – I followed that up with the fact that I’m quite picky, and needless to say, I almost cried during this 1:1 as I was appreciative of her compliment. I digress. The day was beyond wonderful and I’m looking forward to carrying on!
By the way…I avoided the weigh and price grocery line…#toointimidated.
March 6, 2016: Those who know me best know that I believe in transparency, especially socially. I love living on the blurred line of personal and professional interaction. Thus, I give you “My Business, with Pleasure;” A page dedicated to the next five weeks of my life. Watch the video below, but in a nutshell, I’m here on a temporary work assignment. We recently consolidated two of our businesses in to one global organization. With that, we need to figure out all the juicy stuff – cultural barriers, ways of working, build relationships, feel and trust. It’s all necessary for our future success as we continue to expand. Come along for the ride with me if you wish! I will share personal learning, professional progress, and things I am learning about our business culturally that will help us work together in a more productive and positive manner.
A New Generation of HR 