Month: December 2018

The first time I stepped into the office of ACT360 was for my interview. Thinking back, I was intimidated and nervous, because this was my first interview. Although I was terrified inside, I tried to play it cool.

When I entered the office that day, I had imagined everyone to be working inside their personal cubicles and paying no heed to the new person entering their office. Instead, I was welcomed and seated.

As I waited, I could see everyone working, and it differed from what I had imagined an office atmosphere to be. There were transparent glass walls sectioned rooms and instead of cubicles, and everyone was sitting side by side. The environment was different, and it was definitely a new outlook for a workplace, especially in Nepal.

The interview happened while I was still in a daze of nervousness. The interviewers told me that my writing was not up to the mark, and then they asked me what I was hoping for. I had lost all hope but after I answered them, to my surprise, they still wanted to add me to their team as an intern. After hearing the news I was both ecstatic and anxious.

My first day

Then came my first day, it was still very different from what I had expected. The morning huddle, sharing good news, the prank played on the new interns were things I was taken aback by. Moreover, since it was a Sunday, there was a session for presentation. I had to participate in it too, and my role was to give an impromptu speech. I had to talk for just 3 minutes, but in front of new people I did get really nervous.

Once everyone was seated, the work began. Even then, everyone discussed work with each other. They were interacting and encouraging each other. They appreciated your opinions and ideas. Despite being an intern, I never felt like one, especially since I was taken in as a part of the team.

The orientation

Eren di gave the orientation to me and Sophiya, a fellow intern. She focused on the core values of the company, which are:

• Family of Superstars
• Thirst for Learning
• Ensuring Customer Success
• Fun & Innovative

These are the values the teams strive to follow. The team also keeps in mind the core purpose that is to “Do awesome things”. Following these values ensures that everyone is hardworking and fun at the same time.

The overall journey

I started my work in the office as an intern in mid-July, and I can undoubtedly say the work environment that this team provides will be tough to find anywhere else in Nepal.

In the past 3 and a half months, so many things have happened. We shot fun videos running around the office, had a huge potluck lunch before Dashain, did nail art between work and added ketchup in coffee (well that was just me). The last “fun” experiment resulted in me being named “Ketchup girl” in the whole office.

During my internship, my writing skills have noticeably improved. I am now more aware of my mistakes and I know where I lack as a writer. But that’s not the only place I have grown. I feel that I, myself as a person have developed.

Finally…

I came here to learn while getting great experiences, and without a doubt, I can say that this team has given me more than that. Applying at ACT360 all those months ago was one of the best decisions I ever made. Entering the office everyday feels like entering your second home. We are a family, a family of superstars.

Let’s do awesome things!

Initially, all I was looking for was to install routine back into my life. As “An optimistic recent graduate” who “wants to be a productive member of the society” (as I stated in my Curriculum Vitae I made to apply to ACT) I wasn’t doing much in my gap year, and I really needed a change.

Of course, the ACT360 experience has been something much more than what I was expecting or hoping for. It now isn’t just a change I’d wanted, but a learning platform that has helped me grow into a well-rounded individual.

From the first huddle to the last Sunday learning session, the environment at ACT360 speaks volumes about the office, the people, and the work here. My experience in this blog is just one dimension of the many folds, however, it is probably also the quickest way to get a taste of what working here for more than 3 months was like.

So, this is my story.

Well, you just got PRANK’D

The first of everything is always accompanied with three main components: clammy hands, feelings of excitement of the uncertainty, and anxiety. I experienced similar symptoms as I did on the first day of my new school when I stepped into the office looking forward to the first day of work.

Believe me, I had spent hours going through the website, Facebook, and even Instagram account of ACT360. I thought I had gotten a gist of what the office was like: full of youngsters looking to make everything that they do count.

Yet, I was still taken aback. The first thing in the morning ACT conducts what they call a Daily Huddle; everyone stands in a circle facing each other, and talks about good news and what they have achieved as a team. I was already impressed, especially since my previous work experience had nothing more than your typical office interactions.

Then, I was asked to introduce myself. Everything went well; I didn’t stumble and to my relief, managed to not embarrass myself while addressing all 20 members of the family I was about to join. That is, until I did. Actually spelling out the prank would defeat its future purposes, so I won’t do it. However, it serves one best to know that everyone was in on the prank, and I, the excited newcomer, easily fell into it.

Laughing at myself did an excellent job of breaking the ice. I will always remember this incident especially since it served as proof that this company is truly what they portray themselves as: a fun, safe, and respectful space.

Are you even from ACT if you don’t know their core purpose?

All newcomers are welcomed with a presentation about ACT360. Our presenter was Eren, who was very thorough about the rules and regulations, and especially the core values. In fact, she even threw a pop quiz in it and asked the four core values. I couldn’t answer it, but I learned something very important.

The four Core values and the Core Purpose of ACT surrounds you. These are values that we keep in mind while carrying out our work here. Every Sunday sessions we go through them and ask ourselves how we as a team, achieved those values. Keeping this in mind, the next portion of my experiences is briefly divided into the four core values.

Fun and Innovative through the looking glass of Dele Alli

Everyday, members of ACT strive to do things better. As an intern, I put my hands on different works; from recording ads to even shooting videos as part of T(GIF). From my experiences, I learnt that the office culture encourages practice that can turn around any simple task into something fun and innovative.

Want to showcase our fun side to the world? Present a short skit about it. Need to exceed expectations of clients? Gather designers, writers, and management team and have a fun brainstorming session. Do we need to complete a challenge? Let’s showcase it.

This aspect of our core value I believe, does wonders in bringing forth the creative side in everyone. While working with ACT, everyday is exciting. However, I’ve also learnt that the team are as professional as they are goofy, which brings us to the next core value.

Thirst for Learning anything about everything

One thing all members of the ACT family will definitely learn from their time here is – to play UNO. And maybe a thing or two about patience when it takes half an hour to reach a unanimous decision about where to eat for the day.

Jokes aside, the ACT atmosphere is all about learning. Although I’ve only been here for a few months, I have learnt the basics of SEO, shooting videos, writing efficient blog posts, interacting with different niches of people, giving better impromptu speeches, using task managing apps and much more.

Family of Superstars and the extended family of super eaters

Another thing that really struck out about ACT was the respect everybody had for one another. Even as an intern, I know my experiences here isn’t very different from others. The people here further accentuate the office environment, for you can always count on receiving constructive criticism, help, and motivation to work from them.

This has especially been true in the case of the weekly Monday doodles. It was due to the support and positive feedback that kept me motivated to excel myself with each new work.

Whether it is making rangoli with our mascot, Rocky, or conducting potluck on the occasion of Dashain, the office is never short on activities that facilitates team building. And with monthly office sponsored lunch, birthday celebrations, as well as individual team lunches, the office is never short on eating activities either.

Starting storms to Ensure Customer Success

The final core value of ACT is ensuring customer success. Throughout my time here, I’ve come to experience that every other core values finally result in just this: customer satisfaction. The Sunday Learning sessions, group brainstorming, office lunch, and even blasting Awesome Mix Vol. 2 through the speakers; these factors contribute towards motivating everyone to give their 100%.

To infinity and Beyond… to Do Awesome Things!

All in all, working here at ACT has been nothing less than enjoyable, motivational, and phenomenal. They truly set the bar high in terms of what a working environment can, and should be like.

I’m really glad that I decided to give applying here a shot, for this unique experience has not only given me a platform to improve my social and personal skills but also, a gist of working outside my comfort space. And above all, I’m determined to constantly live by the values I’ve learnt, and so I say: Do Awesome Things!