Finishing up our project

Our team had a very busy week finishing up our presentation materials as well as our report.  We were pleased with the results and the feedback from the client was positive - we are hoping some of our suggestions make sense for the client and they will have a chance to implement the ideas in a way that makes sense for their organization and community.  I think the quality of the project work was a good example of what can happen when a team stays focused on a common objective and is able to set aside distractions - and is certainly a result of contributions from the entire team.  Our other sub team also produced a thoughtful presentation and report on Tourism which had some great ideas including the "Return to Antioch" tag line.

As part of our report delivery, we presented at a "press event" on Wednesday night an overview of our work - it is always a little more interesting presenting when the "cameras are rolling."  :-)  

Mike presenting at the press evening Wednesday night - Ozlam, our  DOT partner helping  get the message across.

Franklin presenting at the press evening Wednesday night

Thursday was our big day to present...we had the senior leaders in attendance and took them through our work for a couple of hours.

Oğuzhan (our most excellent project assistant/translator & all around good guy, Guilhereme & Anish)

Elizabeth presenting on Thursday

All our work had to be presented & delivered in Turkish

Hui Sim

Cheering on Winnipeg's new team from Antakya

Presenting Thursday - picture of Attaturk (founder of the country), his picture is in every room in Turkey

Sharmila, Kevin, Hui Sim - all smiles after our formal work was complete

Kevin

Burcak (IBM Turkey), Mehmet (one of our clients), Mike & Elizabeth

This week also had several social/protocol sessions with the client - always involving food, lots of and lots of food!

Luncheon with the local Chamber of Commerece

Franklin & Guilherme

A few final words with the Mayor before we depart

Breakfast with the Mayor

I continue to reflect on the hospitality of our hosts - and all the people we have met in Antakya - which was very genuine.  The openness and willingness of our clients to collaborate on the project made it a richer experience that I am sure we all benefited from.

We are now back in Istanbul - we have Saturday to decompress before beginning our respective journeys back to our homes - all exhausted but better for the experience.  This will also provide some opportunities to reflect on the past 30 days and perhaps prepare one more Blog entry  ;-)

Bridge over the Bosphorus (connecting Europe & Asia in Istanbul)

Jiby, Franklin, Anish, Hui Sim

#IBMCSC TURKEY7