Global Shapers Fiona Saunders 2014

The video is finished!



A big shout out to Andrea Sturt Grosbois and Joff Bird for their invaluable video editing assistance this evening, fuelled with tea and biscuits. Check it out!



And yes there will be bloopers reel of outtakes...including the space hopper.

Wow! Considering this is my first foray into movie making and editing, I am so thankful for the iMovie software that was already on my Macbook! The hardest thing is cutting it all down to 40 seconds only... I think the space hopper clips may have to end up on the digital cutting room floor. Sadness! A big thank you to my Team Leader Tom Hindley for lending me the mini ones and my brother John Saunders for lending me the giant one. If they are not included in the final version I will share the videos with you on here!

My latest factoid from the Duel App is that Arcadis EC Harris helped to deliver part of the Royal Wedding for William & Kate in 2011! Still not entirely sure what we did, as far I know we don't have florist or make-up and hairdressing department...! Arcadians - any ideas how we contributed?

Sally the Salamander, a modern Arcadian and Global Shaper

So one of the facts I have learned from playing the Arcadis Duel App is that Sally the Salamander, the Arcadis symbol is our logo because salamanders, as are most amphibians, are equally happy on land and in water and so represent equality and ecological balance in the environment.

Now, being a biologist I had to investigate Sally a bit further and see what other similarities she has with modern Arcadians; here is what I found..

1. As part of the class of Amphibia Salamandra salamander terrestris are found across central Europe in damp deciduous forests, always close to water.
- Well Arcadians are known for their love of working with water, and we are spread out across Europe

2. They feed on insects, and if they can get them small newts and frogs
- Tasty, perhaps barbecued?!

3. The male courts the female by rubbing her with his chin,
- Certainly a different dating technique, not to be attempted with colleagues, lets stick to a handshake, Although how many kisses for a social greeting in France and how many in Spain?

4. Black with yellow or shades of orange and red blotchy stripes, these areas contain toxic glands, from which the salamander can secrete a neurotoxic alkaloid if they are grasped by a predator.
- WARNING - this is not a talent shared by modern Arcadians.

5. The colouring also makes they inconspicuous and camouflaged in amongst leaf litter on the forest floor.
- Arcadians tend to stand out, but we do try to work with whatever surroundings we are in

6. The fertilised eggs develop inside the female at first and the fully formed larvae are laid directly into fresh water to complete their metamorphosis.
- Definitely, young Arcadians are nurtured and supported in their OpCo by their Team Leader and team before being released out onto projects and global adventures to continue their development themselves, along with their peers. Now this sounds very much like Global Shapers!

Inspiring Weekend

So after an inspiring weekend spent with friends and teammates soaking up the sun, fantastic live music and learning about ARCADIS history and global enterprises from the Duel app it is time to dive in and try to bring my ideas about my Unique Talent and Global Strategy together. Time to film, animate and design!

Hi Everyone,

I've started this blog to document my Global shapers adventure, all the way through my application process and hopefully (fingers crossed) if I am selected through the virtual and face to face stages of the journey also. Horizons are opening up and the opportunities are shining bright like a sunrise from the top of a mountain!