As I sit here on a sunny, yet chilly, March evening on the North Scottish coast watching people hurry home it provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on my first 8 weeks at Ninety. I’ve only been with the company a very short time but I’ve already learnt a small number of things.
Look outside
Working as a consultant means you are constantly looking outside at the market and its trends; at companies you are working with and to individuals and communities who lead schools of thought. You must be acutely aware of the interdependencies of today’s global society. Today’s context places a whole new focus on the impact individual choices can have across the world . Sadly, the actions of Russia’s leader is a stark example of this, causing untold suffering for a nation and far beyond its borders. It reinforces the importance of looking outside. In the short time I’ve been with Ninety it’s abundantly clear that Ninety is a company with a singular mission to look and act beyond itself. For me, not only should work be challenging, fulfilling and stimulating but it should contribute to something greater than yourself. Working for a social enterprise like Ninety means not only working for a company that is keenly aware of the world outside but more importantly it means working with a group of likeminded people who want to use business and all it can generate as a vehicle to improve the world of those most in need.
People make a workplace
Despite what assumptions you might make about a 26-year-old who lives in a small town in northern Scotland, I consider myself a fairly social person. Therefore, one of the aspects that drew me to Ninety was both the culture and the people (or what I saw of those who I spoke to in the process). It’s been very clear from the outset that the culture encourages people to show their personality and to bring themselves to work. The close knit team has been very welcoming and shown a keen interest in getting to know me as both a colleague and an individual. It’s certainly reinforced the idea that it’s the people who make a workplace and from my side the people have made my time at Ninety so far a great experience.
Into the deep end
From the first day I was meeting with clients and working on the projects. 8 weeks in I’m splitting my time across 3 projects. Ninety goes about everything it does in its own way and one aspect of the Ninety approach is conviction; there is a belief in what they are doing. From the outset, I’ve been trusted to contribute to the projects I’ve been a part of. You’re thrown into the deep end and shown that you can add real value. I know that’s an approach that doesn’t work for everyone but for me it’s one that has helped me settle into the team and company quicker and learn how Ninety go about their daily business. It’s an approach I’m grateful for and see a lot of benefits in.
Whilst it’s still very early days for me at Ninety the first 8 weeks have certainly provided me with a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead. I’m excited to be a part of a forward thinking and ambitious group of people.
