Our Zero Waste Valley Climate Hackathon is coming up on Thursday, November 25th and we want to see you there!

If you haven’t attended a Hackathon in the past, it is a day-long event that brings diverse perspectives together to solve a problem (spoiler alert: you don’t need to be a computer programmer to participate). Participants will explore and develop innovative solutions around the vision of eliminating waste from the Okanagan Valley.

READ MORE ABOUT THE CLIMATE HACKATHON

Our partners at the NoW of Work have refined an extremely powerful methodology for generating ideas and prototypes. Using a process called design-thinking, this methodology can come alive in a matter of hours with a team of passionate individuals working together around a common theme: Climate Change.

Sounds great, right? But we understand that a full day away from the office can be a tough sell for any team. That is why we want to take a moment to talk about some of the benefits of participating.

1. Discover Inspiration

Cooperating with a group of passionate and driven people in an accelerated format can have a dramatic effect on someone’s enthusiasm for their work. Taking ownership of their role and producing something from nothing is incredibly rewarding and can inspire your employee into taking on more responsibility and demonstrating autonomy in their role.

Additionally, we will be inviting a keynote speaker to share their experiences and motivations to provide a sustainable zero waste valley in the Okanagan. The right advice has the power to reshape our perspectives, and we can’t wait to hear what they have to say.

2. Develop an Innovative Mindset

The fast-paced nature of the Hackathon encourages participants to discover an innovative approach to executing responsibilities and producing results that only they could create. And, once that door’s been opened, it stays open.

Innovation is essential to a business’s growth and having more team members capable of applying an inventive approach to their work can further operational improvements. Who wouldn’t want that kind of energy on their team?

3. Create Community Connection

At the start of the day,  Hackathon teams are just a collection of individuals with different backgrounds from different organizations. But, after hours of hacking together, you learn everyone’s strengths and working styles, you learn their likes and dislikes, you get to see how they tackle challenges and react to obstacles. Those same strangers become close connections within the community.

The Climate Hackathon also provides an opportunity to network and build relationships with mentors and judges who are experts in their fields—helping to demonstrate your business’s continued commitment to sustainability with like-minded individuals. 

4. Skills On Stage 

Just about everyone, at one point or another, has been afraid of speaking to a group of people. Whether we’re talking in a team meeting or presenting in front of an audience, we all have to speak in public from time to time. Developing this skill set can be a game changer for your business and your career path.

By participating in the Hackathon, individuals have the opportunity to flex this skill set in a safe environment. This builds confidence and can make a world of difference in creating strength and resiliency in the workplace. 

5. Professional and Personal Growth

On their way to developing zero waste solutions, Hackathon participants are simultaneously going through a day of rapid profession and personal development. One day is not a long time to create a viable business plan. As a result, your employee will have a hand in developing a winning concept, building a sustainable business, performing customer discovery and creating a pitch deck.

In pursuit of their goals, participants will grow comfortable delegating tasks, providing regular status updates, identifying blockers, managing timelines, performing investigative research and sourcing content. These are incredibly valuable skills for an employee to demonstrate in their work.

BONUS: It’s a Worthy Cause

Zero waste and sustainability are at the centre of the Climate Hackathon. This is a challenge that is impacting every community around the world and is within our grasp to provide long-lasting solutions for the Okanagan. Your business can have a hand in establishing these initiatives.

Sustainable development of the Okanagan region, and to the protection and regeneration of the fragile ecosystems upon which all life in the Valley depends.

If your business values environmental sustainability, having an employee participate in the Climate Hackathon is an incredible opportunity to demonstrate that commitment and act in alignment with your values.