It’s been an incredibly exciting two weeks as the initiative that we have been nurturing for more than two years has finally materialized. The response to CoDA launch has been overwhelmingly positive. The initial survey received over 160 requests to join the community and generated a buzz of excitement across HBS. It was gratifying to read comments from fellow analysts such as:
“Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of this community! I am very interested to learn more and ready to dive in!”
“Thanks for organizing and sponsoring this effort!”
“Thanks for starting this initiative. I look forward to learning and contributing.”
Below, we outline immediate next steps, followed by a summary of our two inaugural events.
Microsoft Team Site and Future Activities
Taking feedback from polling into consideration (see details below), a communication portal was created on Microsoft Teams and all individuals who responded to the initial survey were added. If interested in receiving notifications of activity on the site, please check your notification preferences. If you have not been added to the site, but would like to be, please email CoDA@hbs.edu.
Organizers also started planning future community events based on feedback from polling. In order to maintain the desired event cadence, we are hoping for an active community participation in generating event content as well as helping to search for and solicit new speakers. Therefore, we would like to ask everyone to fill out this form to help us shape activities scheduled to begin in early Fall.
Virtual Kick-Off
The initial solicitation to join the community was followed by a series of inaugural CoDA events. During the first kick-off event over Zoom we heard from the team of organizers, who reiterated the goals of the initiative and polled members on three questions that would help plan next steps. Below we present the results of the polls:
Inaugural Coda Social
The final event in the series was the first in-person CoDA social. It gave everyone a chance to head outdoors, catch up with coworkers, meet new colleagues, play a People Bingo game, and enjoy light refreshments and icy drinks on a wonderful sunny summer afternoon (though not without a short drizzle to break the heat!). Below are some pictures from the event.
We would like to thank everyone for your enthusiasm in helping us take these first steps in building a community together! This momentum is very energizing for the work ahead. We are eager to dive into planning the next event series and thinking of other community activities. Have a wonderful summer, and we are hoping to see everyone at our next event in early Fall!
