IGNITE 2023!!

Michèle Bramstoft

According to consistent conference feedback over the last 7 years, the Ignite session has a special place in the hearts of our EuRA members!!

At my very last EuRA Executive Group meeting [in Brussels � � ], we reviewed the general 2023 conference survey as well as the individual session surveys. Ignite came up a winner - again!!

But let me tell you that taking the Ignite challenge is tough. It pushes your presentation skills to their limit!! Just ask a former ‘Igniter’ about how challenging Ignite really is. To refresh your memories, here are the basics:

IGNITE is a presentation style. It requires 20 slides in PowerPoint. Each slide automatically advances every 15 seconds. That equals 5 magical minutes of grabbing audience attention and holding it hostage!! Letting go of the control of the slides is only one of the challenging aspects of Ignite. This year’s Ignite line up did a jubilantly jazzy job presenting subjects that are close to their hearts.

The following is a short summary of our speakers and their topics.

Imagine the average marriage age of 16. Imagine an arranged marriage. Now imagine our 1st Intrepid Ignite presenter dressed in a strikingly colourful wedding sari. Preeti

Roongta, Owner/Director @ Lexagent – India, gave new meaning to “4350” years of marriage. Regaling the EuRA audience with personal wedding tales and cleverly clarifying how she successfully straddled the traditional Indian ways. What are the 3 key reasons why Indian Weddings have transformed and given way to ‘an ocean of opportunity’? Preeti postulates that gender equality, freedom of choice and the advent of technology are the main drivers that have transformed Indian weddings and marriages.

Is failure the key to innovation? The CEO of Packimpex, Damian Aebisher, thinks so. He proves his theory with solid stories, decisive data, & a proper personal plunder. Damian advocates taking risks. If failure is the result, then fail fast, learn from it and move forward. He encourages us to create a company culture where failure is celebrated. That requires leading by example, staying open minded, and daring to fail. These elements are instrumental to innovation. Damien concluded his presentation by challenging us to go home & fail!! He would love to hear about how you celebrated it!!

Jane Riley, Gen. Manager at Grace Corporate Services Australia, created lively, yet laid back images in our minds of her adoptive home. We came to understand more about Jane’s adventures ‘Down Under’ when she did a ‘kangaroo hop’ onto the EuRA stage!! In her presentation entitled: Far Far Away, Jane shared the ‘S’ things, the Helen Keller quote she lives by: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” and great learnings to inspire the audience to come visit her!! Christmas ‘barbie’ on the beach, anyone?

Is it ever too late to change directions? Altair Global's VP of Finance & Destination Services, Simon Scott, explains his views on the subject. In his presentation about CHANGE, Simon looks at the ‘great resignation’ post Covid as a way to adapt to change. He compared it to his conscious decision to change jobs some 16 odd years ago. Simon gave numerous examples of famous personalities that had successful career moves later in life. Life forces us to change constantly. In order to become stronger and weather change, it’s necessary to adjust your sails and make conscious decisions to help affect change.

What does the acronym SEN stand for? Our 5th intrepid Ignite presenter shared her 1st hand knowledge on the subject of Special Education Needs. The Director Corporate Client Relations EMEA, Samantha Davidson, at Bennet International let the EuRA Ignite light shine on ‘Learning Needs’. Explaining that SEN is a challenging, stigmatized subject, and how she struggled upon repatriation to navigate England’s school labyrinth. There were concrete examples of actions to take to be more inclusive. Often international schools lack resources to support children with SEN. The true light was on Samantha’s upcoming university graduate, and SEN child, her daughter, Ella.

Do U manage work & life balance w/out guilt? The Director of Global Client Solutions @ IOR Diana Melbourne, admitted her struggle as working mom to a 2 year old –with another ‘bun in the oven’ [translation: baby #2 due in Aug.!!]. Tips were shared explaining how to overcome the working parent ‘guilt trap’ in her presentation entitled: Mom Guilt. Focusing on the positive is key among other things like remembering to give yourself grace. When all else fails – day drink!!

The VPE of Strategic Solutions at Owl is good at noticing unexpected cultural twists. For example, does a pint of Guinness taste different in Ireland than it does in the States? In her presentation entitled: Adapting 2 Cultural Differences, Kim Krollman, looks at her 30 some years as a Brit in the USA. How smell, taste, sight & touch play a strong role in our cultural journeys. Stay open minded, embrace the differences and take Cross Cultural Training if it is offered is Kim’s advice!!

Our last intrepid Ignite speaker to take the EuRA stage was BiCortex Languages & Translations CEO, Inigo Lopez. Authenticity was at the heart of this presentation as Inigo described the gestation and eventual birth of their first CSR policy. The journey in ‘The Camper Car’ was long, emotional & overwhelmingly rewarding. It challenged, it changed, it inspired Inigo as well as everyone on the trip. What a ride!!

Thank you to those that attended our Ignite session.

Thank you to those that took the time to evaluate the session.

Thank you to those who are planning to step out of your comfort zone in Vilamoura by taking the Ignite Challenge!! Look for the session submission EuRA email towards the end of September.