In this series, we talk with different Sussex Innovation team members about their interests, role, and the day-to-day support they can provide for members of our community. Today Catalyst team member, Busola chats with Habib Jalil, Project Coordinator. 

Tell me a bit about you and your role.

I am Habib. I’m new to the Sussex Innovation team, having only been here for 4 or 5 months so far. My role here is Project Coordinator, with my primary focus being on systems and improvements. I also support the finance team and collaborate with team members from other departments. I’m tasked with improving the many internal and external systems which Sussex Innovation, and by extension our clients, are impacted by.

What kind of issues can you help our members solve?

With my experience working within a Europe-wide food delivery start-up, I have a lot of experience with continuous development projects. I’ve learned how to keep improving business models and resolve any obstacles that get in the way of operations. But most importantly, I have learned the skills of creating a lean environment of work, physically and digitally. I believe my minimalistic approach can help our members succeed.

What is a project you have enjoyed working on the most till date?

I have not dived into too many projects yet, as I have one key project I am currently working on. This is our OfficeRnD project – a system we are implementing to manage our relationships so that members have a fuller customer experience. What I’ve enjoyed about this project is the fact I get to collaborate with people across other departments in Sussex Innovation. I’m new here, and this has been a great opportunity for me to widen my knowledge by learning from the experts in their own areas. To collect their ideas and implement them into this project is truly exciting to me.

What is the number one challenge you hear frequently from clients, and what can be done about it?

My intention in the future is to grow a great relationship with our clients here as I have not yet had much of an opportunity to. However, one challenge I have heard from our clients is our often-buggy room booking platform. This is a crucial user experience we’re planning to resolve through OfficeRnD. It will not only address that issue, but also bring many other utilities to give us better points of contact.

Why do you do your job, what do you get out of it?

By design, I am a very self-satisfaction driven individual which means I do my job to please myself. If I can see growth in myself and successes from my actions, that is all I need from this job. I enjoy the thrill of working with deadlines and problem-solving issues that arise on the way. Being a project coordinator gives an opportunity to work with many different materials.

Where will we find you on an ideal weekend?

My wife and I do not live together currently, so often my weekends are spent going up to London to see her. We enjoy spending time going on walks, trying burger joints and watching movies with her little siblings. I usually spend a night and then return home for my Sunday football session. The remainder of Sunday I spend resetting myself through self-care and journaling for the upcoming week.

What are your unique hobbies or talents?

Not a unique hobby or talent, however I have recently started writing short form content as a digital writer. I hope this will give me an opportunity to help others on their journey in self-development. I have a twitter handle @BeMoreSuave which shares daily motivation and learnings in different areas in life which can be exercised for better lifestyle and habits.

What is your favourite innovation/ invention and why?

The Smashburger is the greatest invention, and this comes from a big-time foodie. This changed the standard of a burger and taught us that smashing meat while grilling was an excellent technique to get the best flavour into a burger.

Recommend a book you recently read.

I don’t read often; I prefer to watch movies and shows instead. My current recommendation for an enlightening show is a show called Beef on Netflix. This show was a rollercoaster of emotions with two characters who we can all relate to in one way or another.

Do you do much cooking and if so, do you have a favourite recipe?

I do enjoy cooking. I love to make different pasta recipes but hope to be able to expand my recipe book. For the time being, I can make some amazing Spaghetti and Meatballs from scratch.