long time no see! As I've been working for nearly 10 hours straight daily for the last 5 months, it is time to unload some thoughts I've been carefully cooking while trying to lead Kodland LatAm teaching team and launching the new one in Kodland Brazil 🍻
So lately, my brain is splitting in two while working on both. In LATAM, we have a teaching team of over 370 people with a system that my awesome colleagues have already tested and set in place way before I joined the team (bless their brilliant minds). I spend my time refining processes, supporting the team, solving strategic challenges and communicational issues. Meanwhile, in Brazil, I’m lucky to lay the groundwork from scratch—hiring fresh forces, creating initial rules. It feels like juggling two completely different jobs. But here’s what I can tell about managing both, at least for now:
1. Goals
New region: building the foundation—taking an idea and turning it into reality. The focus is on getting the first few wins and proving that it can work - the faster the better.
Established region: expanding and improving what’s already working. The challenge is to increase quality and quantity without breaking the built systems and freaking your team out. There’s more time to plan and think before making changes
2. Tools and speciality
New: you rely on the basics—spreadsheets, a few guidelines, and multipotential team. The goal is to get things moving and adapt fast.
Established: fine-tuning. You’re optimizing, automating, and carefully managing budgets. Invest in specific roles like tech sup, analyst, and other focused specialists.
3. Learning and seniority
New: plenty of room to try new things, make mistakes, and learn fast, especially for young specialists. It’s all about building your skills while figuring out what works. No one from your team knows for sure what works and what doesn't in the new region. Your fresh mind comes in handy.
Established: new level of seniority
The focus is on maintaining and improving systems. Tbh if I didn't have startup experience and building from scratch prior I'd probably be very lost with established projects. Hard to jump to the big chunk of responsibility without training on baby-projects.
4. Challenges
New: chaos!
Starting from scratch is chaotic and unpredictable. You need to be flexible, positive and enthusiastic.
Established: risk of stagnation
Established projects can become stagnant. The risk is getting too comfortable and not pushing for new ways to grow. Be disciplined and patient.
Choose your pill.
5. Finally, the team
New: responsible problem-solvers
You need people who can handle a little bit of everything, take initiative, and enjoy building from scratch.
Established: optimizers
Mature regions need people who know how to push existing processes further and make things more efficient without disrupting the core structure. More creativity and experience is needed.
Overall thanks team for both journeys and lots of fun 🤸🏼♀️
I love it man. You are living it! 💪 🔥