Discover how 11:11 Systems partnered with Engineer Inclusion to elevate team communication through culturally intelligent practices. By moving beyond traditional workshops, this program provided an extended learning journey that empowered global teams to build meaningful connections and sustain positive cultural change.
11:11 Systems, a global tech company dedicated to fostering a strong workplace culture, partnered with Engineer Inclusion to implement a comprehensive program aimed at improving team communication through culturally intelligent practices. The Culture Committee, led by Cristina Zapata and Chantal Medina, along with the support of Joshua Liebster, championed this initiative to elevate inclusivity and connection within their teams. This case study write-up showcases their novel approach to an extended learning solution for their global team.Â
11:11 Systems is a managed infrastructure solutions provider that empowers customers to modernize, protect, and manage mission-critical applications and data, leveraging 11:11’s resilient cloud platform.
Program Approach
The collaboration began with a foundational virtual workshop, “Building Stronger Teams with Culturally Intelligent Communication,” where nearly 200 participants located across the globe explored the complexities of effective communication across cultures using the LISTEN framework. This practical tool—focused on learning, inquiring, synthesizing, translating, empathizing, and navigating—provided immediately actionable strategies for team members to acknowledge diverse perspectives and foster meaningful dialogue.
Unlike one-off training sessions, 11:11 Systems invested in a comprehensive learning journey that extended beyond the initial 90-minute workshop. This approach included:
Pre-Workshop Activities: Four optional activities designed to prime participants’ understanding, ensuring they were ready to engage deeply during the live session.
Extended Learning Toolkit: A robust set of follow-up activities, including three sets of post-workshop exercises. Each set contained three exercises focusing on reinforcing culturally intelligent practices through think, watch, and discuss activities, structured with different time commitments for flexibility.
Key Features of the Extended Learning Toolkit
Pre- and Post-Workshop Activities: These activities allowed for structured reflection and continuous practice, supporting participants in building consistent habits.
Drip Content: Delivered via weekly emails from the internal Culture Committee, this content kept participants connected to the learning themes, providing reinforcement and creating opportunities for ongoing growth.
Edited Workshop Recording: We edited the workshop recording to remove lulls and breaks, and provided it for the client to save on their internal learning management system.
- Bonus Offer: Limited-time access to Dr. Meagan Pollock’s self-paced Communication virtual course was embedded in the pre-work, adding additional value for participants.
Customization and Client Benefits
11:11 Systems benefited from a deeply customized learning experience that aligned with their unique company culture and values. The materials were tailored with the client logo, enhancing the Culture Committee’s brand, and email copy was provided to streamline communication. Our goal was to ensure the learning experience felt relevant and personal to 11:11 Systems.
To maximize the impact and longevity of the investment, the recording and resources were designed to be stored on their internal Learning Management System (LMS), increasing access for employees over time. Additionally, the case studies and scenarios used throughout the workshop were customized to reflect 11:11 Systems’ specific setting, making the content more applicable and engaging for participants. We also integrated the company’s values into all custom components, reinforcing both the learning and alignment with internal cultural initiatives.
At Engineer Inclusion, our goal is always to make our customers shine. We focus on elevating our clients as leaders within their organization, ensuring that the tools we provide help them champion change effectively. Whatever we can do to support their journey towards inclusive excellence, we are here to help.
Click the image above to see the custom case study exercise.
Read a write up on the 11:11 workshop
Effective team building isn’t just about selecting the right people—it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered. Strong communication across diverse backgrounds strengthens team bonds, which ultimately helps teams thrive. In a recent workshop at 11:11 Systems, we focused on building stronger teams with culturally intelligent communication. Here are some key takeaways that can help your teams succeed.
Outcomes and Impact
The commitment from 11:11 Systems to invest in both immediate learning and extended practice exemplified their dedication to cultural intelligence as a core component of their company culture. By providing their employees with time-based learning options, they ensured that participants could integrate these new skills effectively into their work routines.
Participants reported increased awareness of diverse communication styles, more inclusive feedback practices, and an overall boost in team cohesion. The structured follow-up allowed the team to go beyond theoretical learning, encouraging them to apply culturally intelligent communication strategies in their everyday interactions.
Client Feedback
The Culture Committee anticipates that the extended learning toolkit will significantly help embed the workshop’s concepts into everyday practice. One participant wrote in their workshop evaluation, “I think the different elements of the LISTEN framework will help me with communication challenges across my different interactions with different teams in my org.”
Conclusion
The partnership with 11:11 Systems showcases the power of culturally intelligent communication in transforming team dynamics. The investment in extended learning resources, rather than just a standalone workshop, ensured the tools and concepts gained could be applied consistently and effectively. Engineer Inclusion was proud to support 11:11 Systems in their mission to create a more inclusive and connected workplace culture.
