As the team stands in formation, Nafees Kausar (Brand Engagement, Don Sumdany) starts with Helen Keller’s quotes on an ironically cloudy day, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” Working on research and technical matters, Nafees is the most excited about learning the act. The words are befitting of WiKreate and Don Sumdany as they have pursued that path of motivation and positivity in a country where the concept was unheard of.
Shahriar Kamal Chowdhury (Chief Strategy Officer, WiKreate) explains that they will try the cross formation. The team just started fire-spinning classes once a week with their resident expert Shahriar and HELIOS. He explains that the team has seemingly mastered using one fire poi and they are working on both.
A beaming Farzana Zerin (Training and Business Development) starts the session, proving that training is in her soul. On this day, she’s going to attempt to swing them over her head, however, she does admit that she’d only try it when the spinners are not lit. Next is Sajib Rashid (Managing Director) who is always about pushing the envelope; he tries to create circles while bending his back. He admits that he’s constantly watching new trick online and trying to manipulate them. So much so, that he’s purchased practice spinners with tennis balls and rope.
As the younger members of the team, Nilakshmi Das (Social Media Executive) and Sabrina Akther (Client Service Executive) start their practice session, everyone takes out their camera. The others chuckle stating that when they practice, it comes across as a Facebook photo session. A solo act follows them; Ziaul Arefin Tuhin (Inspirer – Creative and Design) applies his design philosophy to the art. He requires solitary focus when he tries anything new or just perfects a previous move. His spinning is like his art, every detail matters.
G. Sumdany Don (Chief Inspirational Officer – Don Sumdany and CEO of WiKreate) concludes the session by taking on two spinners and trying 3 separate moves. He believes that his efforts to go beyond and above will inspire each and every member of his team to do the same.
BLAZE OF GLORY
Between the turns and the tumbles, the Wikreate and Don Sumdany team expound upon how there is no room for negativity, only enthusing positivity through creativity:
HABITUAL HAPPINESS
“I had read an article from the Harvard Business Review stating that the brain is like the body, during our adult life, we can also reprogram it through new habits. The study discovered that unexplored activities increase productivity by at least 20% in the first four months. I was training in fire spinning and what would be more unique than getting the team to take on a new challenge as we embark on our third year. Everyone’s first thought was that we would start off my playing with fire but I assured that we aren’t that outside the box. These once a week sessions work for two reasons; everyone on the team had never tried it and more importantly, it helps them push the envelope, which is what our companies are all about.”
Sajb Rashid – Managing Director – Don Sumdany & WiKreate)
AWAY WITH THE HIERARCHY
“Of course, we all have formal designations but that does not dictate any form of hierarchy what so ever. We want you to know that the older and more senior employees are your mentors, not your bosses. When you have such a rigid hierarchy, you completely lose the notion of incorporating new ideas and collective progressive. In this long journey of life, more drivers create greater mileage. Moreover, our doors are always open; we don’t want anyone to feel like a particular space is not theirs. Everyone has their own perspective and it can definitely add a new angle that is symbiotically progressive with the company’s idea. For example, Nilakshmi is the expert on Facebook; she knows what will “click” on a social media platform. Therefore, we know that her approach and suggestion will ultimately help the company”
Shahriar Kamal Chowdhury – Chief Strategy Officer – WiKreate
REINFORCEMENT ON THE WAY
“Given that this is my first job, the first time I had made a mistake with a client, I was sure that I’d be lectured about my performance. However, upon entering the room, Don bhai asked me if I knew of the term “energy vampires.” Obviously, my perplexed face led him to explain that these are individuals who drain your positivity and that adding negativity to a compromised situation would never aid the process. They analyzed the matter with me in order to make the best of the situation. My work requires handling a diverse portfolio of clients and catering to their needs, which proves to be a challenge every day. Nevertheless, we have a team that provides the necessary support when we’ve not completely within our element. When the stress builds, we often set aside the work for 10 minutes to be our own social support system.”
Sabrina Akther – Client Service Executive- WiKreate)
PACKING ON THE PUNCHES
“When Shahriar proposed the idea of fire spinning, I was instantly on board. It reminded me of when I had started this company; I was criticized by almost everyone that my concept would never work in Bangladesh but you see our continuing success. I explained that fire spinning is sort of metaphorical, whereby we face the fire (skeptical people) and welcome them to envision the world through our perspective. As the punches come our way, I emphasize passion, persistence, and positivity. Passion is kind of the core of our mission and it can be seen through persistence and positivity. The clients are kind of like our weekly session, where we take on the challenge to learn a new way of spreading positivity; each hit you take can be seen as an exit to give up or the gateway to a stronger you.”
G. Sumdany Don – Chief Inspirational Officer, Don Sumdany & CEO of WiKreate
THE QUOTE QUOTIENT
“I kind of stunned my colleagues when I started our team meetings with a quote on the board. My expertise in research allowed me to find an abundance of positive quotes that have grown into my initiation of our fire spinning sessions. People often neglect the power of words but these positive quotes are a universal language that creates an environment of positivity. Each quote may resonate with any number of our colleagues and they come to realize that we are a team that empathizes with each other. This empathy is so important in our work because we can look across the table or during our sessions knowing that our peers have a deep understanding of us. Our videos, pictures, and post are all about positivity backed by solid research. Plus it has given me quite the philosophical reputation in the office.”
Nafees Kausar – Inspirer – Brand Engagement- Don Sumdany
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
“I’m kind of teased as the Mona Lisa of the team because I’m consistently smiling. When I started my training sessions, I stumbled upon Shawn Achor’s “Super Soul Session”; I took two things away from that video, happiness is a choice and within two minutes you can change someone’s perspective within two minutes you can witness a behavioral change in your clients. When you address someone with a smile, you automatically resonate an optimistic attitude that allows him or her to recognize your approachability giving way to their acceptance of your words. I always tell my colleagues and the attendants of my sessions that their positivity is like a ripple or a vibration; it is easily contagious and simply more productive. It all starts with any supportive gesture or communication.”
Farzana Zerin – Inspirer – Training and Business Development- Don Sumdany)
FUELLED BY FEEDBACK
“Social Media has become a primary brand representative throughout a broad spectrum of companies. It speaks volumes about your brand, and provided how interactive it is, you must provide instant feedback to your subscribers, guest or those who simply view your page. Understand your message and continually relay it; my approach to our message of positivity didn’t exactly mesh with everyone. All of our posts are of a hopeful nature and the bulk of messages will be “likes” or “thank you” for those who agree. I scout the negative message who feel that our message is unrealistic and impossible. I try to make a one-on-one connection with them because giving someone individual time lets them know that you are more than just a post, you are a believer of your message.”
Nilakshmi Das – Social Media Executive- Don Sumdany
THE VALUE OF VISUALS
“When I first joined, I recall explaining to the team that visualization is the key to reaching an audience. It not only stays within the long-term memory, it also improves the comprehension of an idea and relays it faster. Our audience is constantly bombarded with an unlimited amount of information from the Internet. Therefore, I make sure that all of our designs are in sync with our optimistic attitude. A design has the ability to evoke emotions so we stick to that. I explained the visualization of matters like Don bhai’s words; it can truly keep an audience captivated. This concept has even transcended to the floor plan of our office. We chose the color orange because it provides a warm and welcoming feeling.”
Ziaul Arefin Tuhin – Inspirer – Creative and Design – Don Sumdany)
A TEAM EFFORT
HELIOS, one of the leading fire-spinning groups of Bangladesh, provided the logistics & training support for this project. HELIOS is a collaborative platform of like-minded creative souls specializing in performance arts & visual storytelling. They focus on Fire-spinning, Graphic Poi Spinning & Synchronized LED Performances as their creative outlet. HELIOS strives to be an open group where performers of all genre can come together & express their creativity. HELIOS plans to collaborate with foreign groups to represent Bangladesh in the global performance arts’ scene in the future.
Don Sumdany is the latest training, facilitation, and consultancy firm lead by internationally trained facilitator G. Sumdany Don.
It provides business services in the ways of training and facilitation giving the clients options to choose from their set modules, order customized modules, run train the trainers’ programs, facilitate employee outings/target settings, etc.
WiKreate Events and Activation Ltd. is a marketing and advertising agency providing BTL and digital campaign services.
