Getting to know our client (Laurie Miller)

We've been working with our client now for two days - it's a really interesting assignment. We're working with the government organization to help them change the public's view of vocational training. They offer so much for people to learn - from equine care to aeronautics to networking to restaurant management and everything in between. We're really impressed with how much there is for them to share, and we're trying to figure out how to get the 'word out' to people at how broad the learning is, and little it costs.
Our plan is to create a very comprehensive communications plan that will address many people of different ages and walks of life, and help people understand what the possibilities are for learning and for their futures.
We're also getting to know our teammates - everyone is so very interesting and is sharing stories of their lives, one by one. What a great group!

Looking forward to traveling to Fes tomorrow.

Some Initial Observations on Day 2 with client - Dany Le Goaix

Morocco is a country of contrasts,  rich and poor,  which is evident in Casablanca the biggest city in Morocco.  During the day it's quite warm and gets quite cold at night.  We have met with some highly educated individuals at IBM and SMIT while we know there is a high level of illiteracy.   One thing that is not of contrast is the food and coffee.  It is uniformly excellent across the board.  I'm afraid I'll be putting on a few pounds if I don't soon follow in my colleagues steps and go out for a few morning jobs.

IBM Morocco is made up of 130-150 employees with a revenue of 35M.  IBM Morocco was concieved in 1932!  It's smaller than I thought but there is a large GBS centre being built and more employees to come.  I believe a cloud data centre is coming along as well.

The Gov't Tourist arm, SMIT, we are working with implements strategy.  There are 100 employees. We have been reading some of their vision, master plan and strategy documents that take them out to 2020.   There is a big push by the the government and King to have Morocco distinguish itself as a top sustainable destination in the Mediterranean region.  They will not except tourism if it negatively impacts their country;  socially, environmentally or cultural to name a few.  I'm very excited about the project where we will be looking at a sustainability checklist from the design to delivery of tourist projects along with a measurement of sustainability once it is deployed.

Over and out from Casa.  وداعا  - Arabic letters for goodbye.

The whole team is here in Casa! (Laurie Miller)

Today, the last of our team members arrived. I was worried because last night, all but four people had come, and three of those four were my teammates. I was hoping I wouldn't have to see our client alone on Monday. But Lauren arrived late yesterday, Michael came at about 2am today, and Prashant arrived at 3pm today.

So all 15 of us are here - we had a great round of introductions and gift exchanging. The team members are so generous. We now each have magnets & sweets from Croatia, chocolates from Switzerland, an Austin & a Brazil key chain, beautiful hand towels and cards made from Obi from Japan, maple syrup from just outside Boston, an IBM Montpellier hat, and I brought quilted bookmarks. 

After introductions we went to "lunch" at around 4pm and then walked till 9pm. Some of the group (not I!) are going out at 10pm for drinks for the evening.

Tomorrow we are doing a 'heavy duty' tour of Casa, and then early Monday morning we're heading to the IBM office to meet the folks there, before heading to our respective clients.
#ibmcsc #ibmcscmorocco5

Some Shots and Thoughts in first 2 hrs in Casa - Dany Le Goaix

Thoughts - Feeling woozy from lack of sleep and gaining 6 hrs with Paris and losing 1 when arriving in Casablanca.   The burst of fresh air and blue sky sun when exiting the air port was completely reinvigorating.  Between Paris and Casa have been able to use my French which I'm really enjoying.  Everyone I've met so far in Morocco have been so friendly and charming so my first impressions are excellent.  Got to know a colleague, Grant, who also had a layover in Paris, as we waited for transfer flight from Paris to Casablanca. 

Iphone Shots from Cab Ride

Driving in from Airport - Casablanca Centre Ville.   Airport is about 13 km from centre of Town.

Mosques tend to be the highest buildings

This large interesting building is close to the hotel.  Will be checking out over weekend.

American Embassy is around the corner from our hotel along with the Spanish, Belgian.   Pointed out by Omar are very friendly driver.

Typical street in Casablanca.  Has a very middle eastern vibe to it. 

Over and out. 

JFK to Casablanca, finally! (Laurie Miller)

It's 4:35pm Eastern time, and I'm sitting at JFK international airport, remembering the last time I was here. The last time was in 1996, when I was moving from Washington DC to Cyprus. Another adventure, another lifetime. I had two huge suitcases, two carry ons, a camera, and my two cats. It was July and it was very hot. I was moving to Cyprus to join my then-fiance, now my husband of 17 years, and we were starting a new life together.
Now, I'm embarking on a business trip that will be possibly the most memorable ever. I actually struck up a conversation with the French family behind me in line, and to my surprise, I understood every word they said, and more important, they understood me! I'm looking forward to meeting my colleague, Sue Mitchell, on this flight. We probably won't do more than say a few words to each other before nodding off for the all-night flight, but it's nice to have someone with whom to share the excitement.

A la prochaine!
#ibmcsc #ibmcscmorocco5

Our journey takes shape!

It's incredibly refreshing to step out, take risks, learn new things and experience new ways of living life. The CSC application process alone was a game changer for me. It was the first time in over 10 years that I dove deep into IBM's approaches to building business and building community, looking beyond my day to day and beyond my business unit goals to understand my place and where I can and do add value. The last few months of prep have really brought extra bounce to my step...I'm looking forward to the 'experience' phase of this journey, starting today with my travel partner Brittany! I can't wait to learn, to give and to grow during this experience.

Almost in Casa

It was like yesterday, the day when I got e-mail confirming I am accepted for Corporate Service Corps. It was July 2013, almost half year later, I got confirmation it would be Morocco and I should travel in April. From that time, everything changed. Days are flying, and D day is here. I feel lucky and privileged to be able to work with IBMers from all around the world, and to be able to live in Morocco, feel the real life and work in this beautiful country. 
Looking forward to meet you all, especially my team mates Sue and Grant.

...And we're off!

I believe I'm the first of the 15 to get started with my travels... I'm currently in London staying with my best friend for a couple of days before the CSC officially starts. Very excited, anxious, nervous, and eager to get to Morocco and meet everyone!

T Minus 36 hours before Take Off - Dany Le Goaix

Just a quick update as I play around with the Team Blog concept.  Full of excitement and some travel anxiety.  Looking forward to being on the ground,  meeting the IBM team face to face and of course the client.  Will be missing my family terribly but this is a great opportunity.  Have a few contacts to look up in Morocco including a 2nd cousin I've never met. 

T minus 48 hours and counting

In just under 48 hours the first leg of my journey to Morocco will begin. Wheels up at 15:09 from Boston, then JFK direct to Casablanca. My assignment while there will be working with Grant and Duki on a roadmap for a pharmaceutical distribution and information management system for the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ibn Rochd (CHUIR). It is a tremendous honour to be able to offer our technical expertise for such a worthy cause.

It will also be the first time I have met fellow IBM employees face to face in over 3 years. As a work from home employee in the boonies of New Hampshire I work regularly with colleagues from Atltanta, Chicago, Boulder, New York, Texas and Poland, we chat via ST and conference call daily yet I have never shaken their hand. Yet one more thing I get to appreciate as part of this experience: face time!

Most of all though, I can't wait to breathe the Moroccan air, meet the Moroccan people, taste the Moroccan food and soak up the Moroccan culture.

Sue Mitchell

Casablanca minus 5 days ... very exciting

We are leaving in just five days for what may be the most memorable and important business trips of our lives. There will be fifteen of us from all over the world from IBM, converging on this famous city in the far north of Africa.
Each of us brings our talent, energy, and passion to help the country of Morocco thrive. As we go through our journey, we'll write about our progress, our thoughts, our experiences, and our success. We will leave an indelible mark on Morocco when we leave, and we hope our good work there will long out live our short four-week stay.

Our team is composed of IBMers from varying countries, disciplines, experience, and job roles, but we all have been chosen to represent IBM in this Corporate Service Corps assignment.

Why Mi Casa, Su Casa? Because we want to share our experience of Casablanca as if you were there with us. Ask questions, comment on our progress, let us know what you think!

-Laurie Miller, team member #ibmcsc #morocco5