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You only understand the instructions after you’ve built the flat pack furniture

Robert Ord provides a short but sweet introduction into what the ASE actually is and reflects on his time there as a graduate.... As I sit and write, I am surrounded by one of the most unique office environments you can imagine for a professional services firm. This is the land of the ASE where focus is on rapid and effective decision making by asking the right questions in the right way, of the right people with the right information to hand. To achieve this, the ASE space is creative, it is open and it is honest with itself and its participants. It is Capgemini at its philosophical level. The seven Capgemini values are very prominent here. The work we do is bold, it enables the freedom to express, and it wouldn't be possible if we didn't operate as a single team of peers, friends and mentors. The people are honest with their feelings and thoughts showcased by feedback discussions after each event; which is built on a solid foundation of trust. The ASE is modest of its models and ideas. And of course, the amount of passion and effort that goes into end-to-end event design would not be possible without fun!

However, the question still remains, what exactly is the ASE? Well for a starter, it means the Accelerated Solutions Environment. Breaking that down, it is a space that is flexibly used (environment) where we aim to reach a group decision or next step (solution) in a short period of time (accelerated). Inherently, making a pivotal group decision is complex and usually takes a number of weeks if not months. However, by using well developed models and processes, the ASE can literally accelerate this process into a few days.

For example, a fundamental process which underpins many ASE events (and decision making process for that matter) is 'Scan, Focus, Act'. This is not a foreign concept to most businesses. In fact, it is commonly used but not necessarily stressed or recognised as a process. The lines blur. In an ASE event, the flow-of-the-day and design may be created to reflect this simple model so that participants are taken on a logical journey through to action or a decision. As a team, we facilitate ("to make easy") the process by combining intelligent use of the environment, external stimulus, senses, group genius, emotion and many, many more.

There is not a definitive answer for 'what is the ASE and how does it work?' There are nuances and subtleties which are very much experiential in nature. Unless you have been here and lived an event (as a participant or facilitation the team) it remains a curious part of Capgemini's offering.

If you join the ASE team as a graduate, you can expect the unexpected. You will go on your own journey which will be unique to your personality. A journey which is incredibly difficult to articulate but immensely fun!