Shifting mindsets A recap of TEDxHultLondon 2018

This year, we had the privilege of organizing our very own TEDx for Hult in London. On April 28th, at the very tip top of the London skyscraper known as The Cheesegrater, TEDxHultLondon unfolded with eleven inspiring and thought-provoking speakers and a musical performance. The event was  hosted by Hults very own Marketing Professor,  David James. The theme of our event: A  Shift in Mindset. The mindset that we have at any given moment influences how we act, react, and make decisions. Yet, with a slight change in mindset, our perspectives and outlook on an issue can completely change. This is the theme we wanted to explore—how a small shift can have a big impact. This theme was broad enough to cover a diverse range of topics and ideas for the talks. It was also highly relevant and relatable for our audience. Our main goal was for our speakers to present concise, practical, and actionable takeaways that the audience can implement in their lives to make a change—no matter how big or small—today. This theme also fits perfectly with Hult International Business Schools theme for 2018: A Year of Positive Impact. Fostering a growth mindset is the basis of everything that we do at Hult. The mindset that we have at any given moment influences how we act, react, and make decisions. The team behind TEDxHultLondon The TEDxHultLondon organizing team was made up of 10 ambitious members from Hult’s postgraduate campus, with roles from Speaker Curation and Marketing, to Audience Coordination and Videography. Once we set the theme of our event and received our TEDx license, our next big challenges were to curate our line-up of speakers, find a venue, seek sponsorship, and advertise the event. Our final speakers and their ideas covered a wide spectrum of topics, including biohacking, contemporary art, Blockchain, and transformational HR, to name just a few. With the generous help of our key external sponsors, MS Amlin and Aon, we were able to secure the 45th floor of The Leadenhall Building (also known in London’s skyline as â€Å"The Cheesegrater†). This incredible venue provided our event with a 360-degree view of London, nearly 225 meters above the ground. As a student-run, not-for-profit event, every effort from every team member, regardless of their role, was put into finding support within our community for every aspect of our event. As with many not-for-profit events and organizations, this definitely proved to be our biggest challenge. We were dreaming big and strived to host the best TEDx event in London for our school. As a student-run event, we were dreaming big and strived to host the best TEDx event in London for our school. Kicking off the day The day started at 12:30 pm for our attendees, where they checked in at reception and were brought up to the top floor of The Cheesegrater to collect their name tags and swag bags. (Fun fact:  Pokemon was being filmed on site that day, so our guests walked through a movie set and into an office named â€Å"CNM† instead of MS Amlin!) All name tags included three unique topics each attendee listed as â€Å"what to talk to me about.† This aimed to inspire conversations and networking throughout the day. Margareta James, Director of the Harley Street Wellbeing Clinic,  helped us kick-off with a talk on â€Å"The Idea of You: Shape Your Own Reality.† This was followed by Mariana Bontempo, an experienced project manager  from Applied Blockchain, explaining the paradigm shift from a centralized to a decentralized system. Next, Mark Godfrey, Senior Curator at the Tate Modern, shared his latest exhibition, â€Å"Soul of a Nation,† describing how it shifted the mindset of not only its viewers but also the Tate Modern as an institution. Finally, Praveetha Patalay, Lecturer at the University of Liverpool, closed the first period with a talk on â€Å"Rethinking Mental Illness. Swag bags set up and ready for guests to arrive. The venue provided incredible views of the London skyline, including the Shard. Curator Mark Godfrey discusses the impact of the recent Tate exhibit, Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power. An inspirational afternoon After a short break, Hult London’s very own Samineh Shaheem (aka Dean Sam) shared an inspiring talk about limiting beliefs, titled This Talk Will Change Your Life! Her talk was followed by Viktor Johannes Matre from Amnesty International Norway on â€Å"Using Our Freedom of Expression for Those Who Can’t.† Next up was technology entrepreneur  Teemu Arina with a  thought-provoking talk on biohacking, titled â€Å"Unleash Your Inner Potential.† Finally, to close the second round of talks, Kydd Boyle of social enterprise Horizons Next Gen  shared an intriguing and unexpected personal story, illustrating how communities can shape behavioral patterns. Dean Sam’s intriguing talk grabbed the audience’s attention with This Talk Will Change Your Life! †¦except, it won’t.† Energy levels were at an all-time high for our final three captivating speakers. Perry Timms, Founder of  People Transformational HR, began with a talk on â€Å"People-powered Design,† followed by solo trans-Atlantic rower, Stephen Shanly, who shared the story of his journey. Our events final talk was delivered by Ashridge Executive Educations Trudi West, who led a discussion on  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The Darkside of Integrity.† As you can see, within the theme of a shift in mindset, our line-up of speakers brought eleven very unique and new ideas to the stage. We must also give recognition to our speaker coaches Dr. David James and our very own Hult MBA alumna, Edita Kaminskaite, who worked tirelessly to practice and train with our speakers. Our fantastic audience members included Hult undergraduate and postgraduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff, as well as business professionals from our extended network. An evening of networking After the final speaker, the event continued with an evening of networking. Audience members and speakers were able to share a glass of wine and nibbles and discuss the ideas that were gleaned from the day. For the TEDxHultLondon Organizing Team, it was an absolute honor and dream come true to be able to host such an event for our school. We have become our own little TEDx family and will be forever grateful to Hult for bringing us together, supporting us in every way possible, and giving us this opportunity to put on our dream event. A day of inspiring speakers prompted lively discussion. For anyone out there who loves TED talks and has ever considered organizing their own local TEDx event, it is something that I strongly recommend pursuing. The journey and destination were more than anything that I could have ever imagined. Its an adventure you get to share with your team members, which will be remembered forever. Of course, it is not an easy undertaking and will require your dedication, hard work, passion, and energy (lots of it!) but don’t all things that are worth doing? And I promise, it is worth it! Thank you so much for reading and please stay tuned for our TEDx speaker videos, which are coming soon! We have become our own little TEDx family and will be forever grateful to Hult for bringing us together. Kickstart your career in Europes biggest startup cluster by studying at Hults London business school. To find out more, take a look at our blog TEDxHultLondon: The idea of you — shape your own reality. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .