How are you? How is your family? How is work?

This may be a blog, but I (Victor) and the rest of the Ei team care and we’re really asking. Feel free to send any questions you’re working through to hello [at] expinstitute.com.

As for us, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t a little sad and scared about what’s happening in the world. Like you, we’re taking it one day at a time. Our is now working from home along with most of the rest of the world. We’ve learned a lot about remote work over the years as we’ve stayed connected with hundreds of students as they travel and work around the world, so we feel good about making the most out of this season.

As for Ei’s programs and products, we’re finding new paths forward to continue doing to support you during this season.

Here’s a quick update:

What’s happening with Ei Workshops for teams?

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, we’ve halted all of our in-person programs with our partner companies. BUT, in conversations with leadership at these organizations, we quickly saw a new way that Ei could support their teams who are working remotely for the first time.

So, we’re re-packaging and updating our most relevant programs into short (60-90 minute), live, online workshops that can help teams learn how to work better together during this season. This series of new online courses includes: Remote Work 101, Managing Remote Teams, Creative Problem Solving, Effective Presentations over Digital Mediums, Resiliency for Leaders and Work Wellness (when working from home).

If any of these sound interesting to you or your teams, click here to set up a call and we’ll discuss how we can help. Freelancers and students, stay tuned, as we’re working on building a direct to learner products just for you.

How about Ei’s programs for college students?

Two weeks ago, we launched the next class of our newest program with UC Berkeley (Experience Lab). It started off well, but during our 2-week pre-departure meetup in SF, Coronavirus wreaked havoc on the world. Luckily, we were able to finish our classes in person — which was an incredible experience with this crew — but we had to move all of the student work experiences to remote work. Thankfully, everyone from our host companies to our students have been remarkably gracious. Their work experiences will be remote and we’ll be upping our support to students as they learn the ropes.

Our program at Stanford, Design Summer, is also moving entirely online. Luckily, we had already built a piece of software that helps companies and students connect for short-term projects, remotely or in-person. So students are still able to continue learning, working, and growing.

How’s the store doing?

As of today, our fulfillment center is still shipping products. So if you’d like a Leap Kit, Shapeless Shape, Leap Year Project Book, or any other delightful tool from our shop, be sure to stop by. Also, we received the first shipment of What’s Worth Doing Cards earlier this week. So, if all goes well, our newest product will be landing in homes by the end of the month — just in time for you to have an extra tool while you’re staying home and safe.

What’s happening personally?

I can’t speak for the entire team, but I can say that this time has been a roller coaster. Sometimes, I want to pause everything, crawl into bed, and wake up when this is over. Other times, I want to use every ounce of creative energy to build and try new things. I truly believe that, in times of challenge, we need to bring our most thoughtful and ambitious work.

That swing between hide and build is normal. The key during these days is going to be generosity — being generous with yourself, with those you love, and your wider community. The time you take to listen and share will return 10-fold in the kind of support that you (everyone) needs during this time.

So, let’s end where we started, how are you?