Consider the following phrase: Apples are red, and apples are tasty. Simple enough to understand on the surface, but what if you were asked to make it into something more comprehensive. How would you do it? Maybe you could talk about what it means to be red, or maybe you could offer the perspectives of people who do not find apples to be tasty. What we understand or glean from a sentence is dependent on the information it provides. Language is often complex and abstract, with words having various meanings and interpretations. As a result, concepts or ideas can be difficult to precisely pin down or describe to a wide audience. Though we use the same language, our personal interpretations can often differ.
Yet, when working as a team, it is essential to remain on the same page. So, what can be done?
ㅣAlignment Day at Nota
At Nota, we hold an Alignment Day every six months. By definition, alignment means to arrange in a straight line, or reach a position of agreement or alliance. And that's exactly what Alignment Day is there to do.
On Alignment Day, we run sessions that share our ongoing goals and programs, to standardize our working processes throughout the company, and reinforce our company culture.
Our Core Values (CV) and Leadership Principles (LP) are essential components of Alignment Day. But what does it look like in practice? Here is a brief overview of some of the programs we might typically include.
CV: Trust – Sharing our thoughts
What does Trust mean? How does Nota define Trust?
How to build Trust within our team
Examples of Trust
Company expectations
LP Activities – Questions and Answers
What does Ownership mean?
What habits define a Think Big mindset?
LP Awards
Recognizing and rewarding exemplary cases of our Core Values and Leadership Principles.
Our most recent Alignment Day was divided into two main programs. First, we held a fun little mock exam to review and remember important company information, and then our CEO hosted a closing session to reaffirm our company-wide alignment.
✏️ Nota Vision Mock Exam
Seeing the test sheets suddenly felt like being back in school. Had I been diligent enough with my studying? Will I pass? What will my grade be?
To account for the different schedules of our team members, the exam was held a total of four times. To our delight, they were a huge hit, exceeding our expectations. Reviewing the questions, and our answers together, brought a great feeling of nostalgia and excitement to the office. We were all kids again, for one day at least!
The exam comprised four sections: basic company information, Nota's area of expertise, core values of the company, and the company's vision for the future. To our delight, scores were high across the board, particularly when it related to questions of business and company culture, reflecting the success of our Core Values and Leadership Principles.
One quirk of the exam was the inclusion of a special final question. Participants were given the open-ended task of describing Nota's vision. Those with a keener eye would have noticed that it was a bit of a trick question, as the answer had already been subtly included on the first page of the test. Those who missed it the first time around, could catch up during the closing CEO session, where we discussed things in more depth.
ㅣNota's Vision
What began as a duo has blossomed into a team of over 100 people. The days of simply following our intuitions are gone. With such a large team, we need to document everything, and have consistent, clear lines of communication. This is why Alignment Day has become so important.
Understanding the company's vision provides valuable perspective on the work we're doing, and enables us to work to the best of our abilities. Being in alignment brings a clarity to our work that makes it all the more meaningful.
ㅣA Closer Look
Having been privileged enough to have a look behind the scenes, I saw firsthand how much hard work and preparation goes into Alignment Day to make it a success. What struck me the most was just how much alignment was already a prerequisite before the real event had even arrived
For more than six weeks, two members of the culture team were tasked with the planning and preparation. Their ultimate task was to have our entire team of 100 people walk away remembering two important words: “AI Everywhere.” These words, simple on the surface, are a perfect summation of Nota's vision. Everything we do is measured, and every action carries intent. That extends even to this blog post, we want to maximize our efficiency and productivity at every level, always striving for alignment along the way.
Planning and creating content is a challenging process, and the results are not often known until after the fact. Though it's the culture team that lays the groundwork, our successes or failures are the responsibility of our entire organization. We all have a part to play.
Seeing the whole process from its inception has been an enjoyable experience. I have seen how what started as a small idea, often blooms into something much larger and more successful than could ever be anticipated. Receiving positive feedback from our colleagues makes it all worthwhile, and makes us excited to think about what we could do next.
ㅣ정답보단 해답을Seeking Answers, Not Perfection
During my research for this post, I asked Danbee of our Culture Team, what motivates her to immerse herself in her work. She told me that the appeal lies in finding answers together, working with the assumption that there is no singular answer or solution.
“Since organizational culture is highly subjective and not easily quantified, I find the challenge of seeking objective and persuasive methods exciting. My role is to help visualize the unique culture of Nota and to highlight things we may have overlooked or forgotten. There really is no single answer; only solutions. And I believe these solutions are derived from us all.” - Danbee, Nota AI's Culture Manager
Having gone through Alignment Day from start to finish, Danbee's comments make a lot of sense. Working together to find solutions is the best way forward. Though our perspectives, thoughts and opinions may differ, we are all pulling in the same direction, and we all want Nota to be a success. Now that our H2 2024 Alignment Day is over, I am already looking forward to the next one!
Nota Inc. People & Culture Team Intern | GaYeon Kim
"Sharing what I've seen and heard at Nota.
I'm trying to become the voice of Nota."