CSC Ghana #8 Final Post
I thought a good way of finishing up my Corporate Service Corps (CSC) Ghana #8 assignment would be to answer the following set of interview questions; I was asked these during our final interview.
What did CSC participation mean to you?
To me it was an honour to be selected to represent IBM on such a critical assignment for the people of Ghana. It was a privilege to work with such an exemplary group of IBMers from around the world; we were able to leverage each other’s unique abilities to deliver a quality set of deliverables in a very short time.
Tell us a little about your assignment.
On our assignment we focused on developing a supply chain IT roadmap for the Ministry of Health (MoH). We analysed the existing supply chains system, and then made a number of recommendations for improving their approach by leveraging new IT systems.
What surprised you about your experiences in Ghana?
The thing that surprised me the most was how willing everyone was to help. People are sometimes weary of consultants, but there was a genuine desire within the MoH to fix their supply chain issues and deliver better health outcomes for the people of Ghana.
What do you think you learned/gained from the experience?
I really gained a greater appreciation for the challenges that you can face when working within a multicultural team. My assignment team had people from the US, China, India and Australia, and it was interesting to see the differences in how each team member approached their work. Even something as simple as spelling can be an issue. For example, a number of words in Australian English are spelt with an “s” (ie, organise), but in US English they are spelt with a “z” (organize).
What will you take back to your day job?
I’ll bring back to my day job a global network of IBM contacts which I’ll be able to leverage to help deliver better outcomes for our clients.
Another team from IBM will be coming in the fall. Any words of advice?
Just a little list of things:
- Make sure you bring over a Visa card for ATM withdrawals. MasterCard isn’t widely accepted.
- Try Grasscutter, a local delicacy. Country Kitchen, in Accra, occasionally has it as a special. I suggest not buying it from the roadside.
- If you can only do one weekend activity, make sure it’s the Dodi Princess Cruise.
- Bring some food from your country of origin to share with the team. Some of the best moments on the trip centred on these exchanges.
That’s all for Ghana #8. It’s been emotional.