Simon Woznica’s Post

What do you do to really recharge your batteries during time off work? 🔋 I caught myself on a thought that I don't strictly separate work and vacation. I'm good at mixing and matching. Yet, it's vital for me to recharge my batteries regularly, so that I have more energy and creativity flowing into my daily routine💡 These top 3 things kept me energised during this summer: 🌟 Learning a new language - taking an intensive Spanish course has been a fun and rewarding experience. Not only because it contributes to my work with Spanish-speaking professionals relocating worldwide! But also because it brings back that "new learner's joy" - something we often have less of in adulthood. 📚🌍 ✈️ Travelling - any trip off the tourist path is a great way for me to recharge and explore. Nurturing curiosity and adventurous spirit, learning more about people and cultures - this is what fuels me with ideas and experiences 🗺️🚀 and this is one of the ways for me to bring up more open-minded kids. 🌅 Observing - this one is a powerful tool to connect with self and surrounding. Whether it's looking at the ocean waters, observing my 6-year-old catching waves on a surfboard, or watching the sun rise - it allows me to slow down and fully embrace the moment. 🌊🌞 What helps you bring more energy and creativity to your daily life and work? I'm curious to hear! Share your gems below! 💬🌈 ps. taking a family picture can be quite energy consuming it seems )) #VacationMode #LinkedInNewsEurope -------------------------- Hi, I'm Alena - intercultural leadership, DEI Trainer and Executive Coach. I'm on mission to help Leaders and Teams in Corporate and Academia to develop Cultural Intelligence & more inclusive work environment. Let's have a conversation to explore how we can collaborate to enhance intercultural understanding, drive innovation, and embrace the power of diversity in your team and organisation!

What Makes Intercultural Teams Beautiful? 🌏 Every day, we have the opportunity to learn something new. But when we’re part of an #interculturalteam, that learning becomes even richer. 🌟 Working across cultures exposes us to unique challenges. Whether it’s navigating different communication styles, understanding cultural nuances, or addressing specific target groups, our experiences shape us. Sharing these challenges and how we creatively solved them adds depth to our professional journey. Intercultural teams encourage us to break free from conventional thinking. The blend of perspectives—like a vibrant mosaic—creates a canvas for innovation. “New perspective” and “creative solutions” become our guiding stars. Beyond work, we can explore family traditions, reminisce about university days, or simply share a laugh during lunch breaks. These moments build connections that transcend borders. 🌸 Today, I discovered a beautiful Bulgarian tradition. On March 1st, people exchange red and white bracelets—a symbol of Health🙌🏽 and luck🍀. When I spot a blooming tree or a stork, I need to leave my bracelet there and all these good wishes will come stronger in my life. Thank you, Linda Azar for sharing your Bulgarian 🇧🇬 tradition with me! Let’s celebrate diversity, embrace kindness, and respect each other’s uniqueness. Together, we create a world where every culture blooms. 🪻🌎❤️ #diversity #internationalteam #kindness #respect

🌍✨ Embracing change and confronting challenges head-on has been my guiding principle for some time now. Amid the uncertainties of the pandemic, I took a bold step to sell my car, tap into my savings, and relocate to Europe with a clear goal—to pursue my master's in business. Fast forward almost four years, and here I am, having taken unexpected but enriching steps along the way. After completing my master´s, I landed an incredible English-speaking job with an outstanding international team—a triumph in itself. Yet, what I didn't fully grasp at the time was that choosing to stay in the DACH region meant much more than just a great job; it was about genuine cultural integration. The added challenge? Mastering a third language: German. Life presents its unique challenges when it comes to acquiring new skills, yet I made a conscious effort to extend my limits. I truly tried balancing a full-time job, a three-hour+ daily commute, cultivating relationships, maintaining a healthy connection with my boyfriend, and engaging in sports and leisure activities—all while immersing myself in the complexities of learning German—proved to be a formidable task. Life presented a crossroads, and I made a pivotal decision to prioritize personal growth. Therefore, in the summer of last year, I made a strategic career move by transitioning to a new job, which now affords me additional time and mental space to prioritize my journey of learning German. Letting go of my previous position was tough, but looking back I realize it was necessary. This transition has become an integral part of my cultural integration process. Learning a new language transcends words and grammar; it's about embracing a new way of thinking and connecting with the community. It's about fostering a deeper understanding of the culture that surrounds me. Today, as I reflect on this transformative journey, I stand proud of the progress made. German it's not just a language; it's a bridge connecting me to the rich tapestry of this vibrant culture. 💬🇩🇪 #LanguageLearning #CulturalIntegration #PersonalGrowth #LifeInGermany

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🤝   At CRV, our commitment to 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 🌎 is reflected in the increasing number of foreign employees joining our ranks. Recognizing the challenges of adjusting to a new environment, we've implemented 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 🥐🥪🥣 aimed at easing this transition. Led by our colleague 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗷𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀, who juggles her role as a Quality Customer Contact Officer at CRV with her studies 🎓 to become a Dutch teacher, these gatherings provide a 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.   Christopher Orrett, our Global Genetics R&D manager and an expatriate himself, highlights the importance of these sessions: "The international team here is making a concerted effort to improve their Dutch, and these lunches offer 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲 🫶 as we navigate the language together."   While English may suffice for day-to-day interactions in the Netherlands, participants acknowledge the limitations of relying solely on a second language. Missing out on informal office conversations can hinder one's integration into the workplace 💻 and broader community. Mobile apps 📱 may aid in vocabulary expansion, but a deeper understanding of the language requires 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 like our Dutch Lunches – particularly for those considering the Netherlands as their long-term home 🏡.   Vasco Carvalho, one of our Data Engineers, shares his positive experience: "I found the first Dutch Lunch to be incredibly enriching. Not only am I improving my language skills, but I'm also 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. It's a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues from different departments who, like me, have chosen to 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 🌷."   At CRV, we believe in building connections – not just between cultures, but also between individuals, creating a 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 where everyone can thrive ❤️.   #BetterCowsBetterLife #genetics #employerbranding #culture

Our children represent a future that is adaptable, multilingual, and culturally fluid! Take my daughter (aged 10), for example: Cultural Adaptability: Having spent equal parts of her life in Finland and Sweden, she navigates through cultures with ease, a skill that’s becoming increasingly valuable in our interconnected world. Linguistic Versatility: Fluent in Finnish and Swedish, and with a good command of English, her linguistic skills will be essential in the future workforce. Performance & Teamwork: Performing individual routines in aerobics competitions and playing football showcases the mix of personal excellence and teamwork needed in modern work environments. Social Integration: Moving through various daycares and schools has equipped her with the ability to connect with diverse groups, an important social skill in building networks. Passion for Learning: Her enthusiasm for school, extracurricular activities like playing the saxophone, biking to school with friends, and creating content for her own YouTube channel speaks to a zest for life and learning, driving innovation and creativity. This next generation is entering the workforce in about a decade. While in the meantime, young adults are increasingly experiencing dissatisfaction with work life and facing mental health challenges. How are we preparing to welcome, nurture, and leverage the fresh perspectives and diverse talents the next generations bring? Want to learn about Nordic Brands, Lifestyle and Marketing? Follow me https://lnkd.in/dR3FJ3jU 🫶🏻

🌍 I love working at an international company. But what does "international company" really mean? For me, it's a company where I get the chance to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds. From a business perspective it might rather be about serving customers all over the world. At optilyz, a company with German roots, we do perceive us as an international company – having international employees, working with partners and customers all over the world. But actually living and breathing that international spirit can be a challenge sometimes. Even looking at a topic like language there are hurdles to be inclusive to everyone: ❓Do I make English the mandatory language for every work chat channel, even if the participants in this particular channel are only German? But if other colleagues might join later, they want to understand what has been discussed before. ❓Is it enough to write documentations in English only? e.g. should we as a company with German roots also offer German documentations? But then, shouldn't we include other languages as well? ❓At lunch, do I always switch to English for international colleagues? Or would they prefer some German talk sometimes – as a practice session? ❓And what about the non-native English speakers that are afraid of talking or writing in English, which might even feel worse in a corporate situation? When talking about being internationally inclusive, language is just a topic on the surface – there are so many more things to consider. I'd love to hear, how others are doing on their journey of becoming an international company.

Exploring the vibrant streets of Miami, I’m reminded of the incredible diversity and energy that define this city. It’s a melting pot of cultures, languages, and ideas, much like the industries I’m passionate about serving. As a fluency coach dedicated to the science and tech sectors, I see firsthand how innovation thrives on diversity. Miami’s eclectic mix mirrors the dynamic environments where creators, innovators, designers, and teachers work and create breakthroughs every day. This trip reinforces my belief in the power of communication. Being able to express oneself clearly and confidently in English is not just about overcoming language barriers; it’s about making connections, sharing ideas, and contributing to the global tapestry of innovation. In industries driven by relentless curiosity and the desire to solve complex problems, fluency in English opens doors to international collaborations, expands professional networks, and fosters a culture of inclusivity. Let’s embrace the diversity and dynamism that fuel our fields. Whether you’re in Miami or anywhere in the world, enhancing your English fluency means enhancing your impact. Let’s connect and explore how we can navigate this journey together, making every conversation an opportunity to learn, grow, and innovate. #speakreadysquad #FluencyInInnovation #TechAndScience #MiamiMeltingPot #DiversityInTech

🎉✨ Celebrating 20 Years of Language Excellence: Our Journey from 2004 to Now! ✨🎉 Starting from our CEO's basement in Atlanta, we have grew into a global organization that utilizes the transformative abilities of language to connect businesses and cultures. As we navigate through the various stages of our twenty-year narrative, let us delve into a significant milestone that has impacted our journey. Today's Pivotal Milestone: 2011 - Expanding Our Operations Center in South America 🌎🌟 In 2011, we took a bold step, extending our operations to South America. This strategic move wasn't merely about geographical expansion; it was a commitment to embracing diverse cultural teams, enriching our processes, and deepening relationships with our clients globally. The Lesson Learned: The Value of Diverse Cultural Teams. Our South American operations became a melting pot of perspectives, languages, and traditions. This diversity wasn't just an asset; it became the beating heart of innovation and strengthened our bonds with clients around the world. Insights for Your Business: As you carve your own path, consider the richness that diversity brings. Embrace it within your teams, for it's not just about inclusivity; it's about leveraging unique strengths that diverse backgrounds offer. Here's to 20 years of language excellence, cultural bridging, and countless shared stories. Thank you for being an integral part of our incredible journey! #Keylingo20Years #LanguageExcellence #AnniversaryCelebration

💡 Intercultural surprises indeed! Having done the Learnlight Intercultural Assessment has been a great opportunity to gain a better understanding on my own cultural profile as well as to learn how to bridge the gap with cultures around the world. Marcello Bellini described perfectly how valuable these insights are! That just leaves me to repeat what he said: "Are you ready to uncover your own intercultural surprises?"