Start-up @ Trilations is a yearly recurring initiative that exists in our company. The main goal of the initiative is to work on projects in small groups in order to have an impact on the company and/or society. Although not part of the daily functioning of the company, the projects are of great importance. The idea behind the initiative is that employees at Trilations can work on topics within their field of interest. Since they are the ones proposing the topics, they feel a high affinity for and commitment to them. Further, within these projects, we stimulate our employees to be as creative as they want; all kinds of ideas and input are very much welcome!
The start-up environment is not only exciting, but also provides a great chance to gain knowledge and hone skills in a variety of niche areas. The initiative follows a fixed timeline. Every year, the chosen projects are assigned a project sponsor; usually a senior guide with specific knowledge on the subject. At the start of each year we host a Start-up @ Trilations Kick-Off Event, where those sponsors pitch their project to the rest of the company. It's their job to recruit members, assign a project manager, and set the scope to work towards the project's goals. By embracing a standard project cycle, the members of the team (who are mostly junior) learn about specific skills, such as project management, presentation skills, persuasive communication, and many more in a safe environment. And to top it off, this way of working contributes to the feedback culture within the company.
Over the years, our Trilations' commitment to this idea has grown stronger and more organized over time. It has been ingrained in our work culture. Although there have been some changes in time, the fundamentals of the concept have stayed the same.