Meeting Title: Brainforge PMO Onboarding Check-in Date: 2025-08-07 Meeting participants: Giselle Agot, Alexander Lubka


WEBVTT

1 00:01:35.180 00:01:37.259 Giselle Agot: Hi hi Alex!

2 00:01:37.880 00:01:39.330 Alexander Lubka: Hey, Giselle, how are you?

3 00:01:39.330 00:01:41.540 Giselle Agot: I’m doing great. How about you?

4 00:01:41.730 00:01:44.690 Alexander Lubka: I’m doing well. Thank you. Thanks for taking some time for me. I really appreciate it.

5 00:01:44.690 00:01:45.670 Giselle Agot: No worries.

6 00:01:46.220 00:01:50.770 Alexander Lubka: How has your 1st 4 days been? 3 days.

7 00:01:51.010 00:01:56.420 Giselle Agot: 3 days. It’s my 3rd day, this shift. So it’s

8 00:01:56.860 00:02:08.149 Giselle Agot: okay. I say, okay, I’m trying to catch up. Actually, I’ve been a project manager for years. However, this business, this niche, is actually new to me. So I’m trying to catch up. So yeah.

9 00:02:08.669 00:02:18.339 Alexander Lubka: Sure and and like the industry or the type of work, or the size, what makes us a little bit different, or like the distance. Just curious.

10 00:02:19.080 00:02:29.510 Giselle Agot: Oh, the difference is the type of business. Actually. So it’s AI. So I I haven’t had clients in the past that does the same, but the

11 00:02:29.830 00:02:36.869 Giselle Agot: they click. How I get to like manage the tickets, how to get to check the project. It’s the same process.

12 00:02:36.870 00:02:37.320 Alexander Lubka: Yeah.

13 00:02:37.320 00:02:44.119 Giselle Agot: It’s just that during the client meetings I’m trying my best to really understand what everybody’s talking about. Like

14 00:02:44.612 00:02:52.209 Giselle Agot: of course, there were some project updates. And I want to understand as well, because I want to feel very confident during this client calls.

15 00:02:54.550 00:02:58.769 Alexander Lubka: Absolutely that makes sense. I mean, you’re 3 days in. I’m sure you’ll pick it up.

16 00:02:59.267 00:03:02.542 Giselle Agot: Yeah, I hope so. But yeah, I’m trying my best.

17 00:03:03.290 00:03:19.266 Alexander Lubka: Fair enough. So I do. They. I worked on the onboarding plan with amber for you just wanted. So you’re working. Your goal is to, you know, start picking up some client 2 of those clients, and to help Amber mostly with

18 00:03:19.960 00:03:23.070 Alexander Lubka: some internal tasks for this month. Is that great.

19 00:03:23.250 00:03:28.410 Giselle Agot: Yes, that’s correct, and I’ve started off drafting. Set some sops. Probably you can.

20 00:03:28.926 00:03:34.260 Giselle Agot: If you have time you can check on those. Let me know what you think of those. So yeah.

21 00:03:34.580 00:03:38.809 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, I’d love to. If you don’t mind sending them to me. That’d be great. I’ll take a look for sure.

22 00:03:38.810 00:03:39.170 Giselle Agot: Okay.

23 00:03:39.481 00:03:48.509 Alexander Lubka: Just so. I’d love to learn more about you. But just so, you know, I I’m a a advisor for project management for Brainforge. I work like

24 00:03:48.630 00:03:53.410 Alexander Lubka: 10 h or so a week. I think we have kind of different hours

25 00:03:53.725 00:04:17.730 Alexander Lubka: I use. I have a day job. And so I work kind of this time to or in the mornings, if needed, for on the East coast. I’m in New York. So if you need, you can always message me throughout the day. But I I that’s usually the time around when I will respond. So just like, if you need anything urgent, go to Amber, but I’ll take a look at any documentation. I I wanna look at it. I wanna

26 00:04:17.730 00:04:41.759 Alexander Lubka: do it. My goal is I. I built the 1st iteration of the Pmo that we’re working in now. I started in May, working here, and they didn’t really have any, you know, it’s still not perfect. But they didn’t really have any processes and have any templates or documentation or anything. So I work, and Amber doesn’t really have any project management experience. This is her 1st project management job. And she’s transitioning out of it. Which I don’t know if she mentioned that to you.

27 00:04:42.096 00:05:04.300 Alexander Lubka: So I was working with somebody that didn’t have much project management experience kind of educating her. I’m helping her get her capm certification, making her, or asking her to study that I answer. You know her questions, that she may have just ways of working or project management principles, helping her with the interview processes, too, as we’re hiring, trying to hire some new folks.

28 00:05:04.635 00:05:09.524 Alexander Lubka: So it’s been fun working with them. But yeah, they’re they’re scrappy. They’re small, they’re

29 00:05:10.120 00:05:22.170 Alexander Lubka: They don’t have a lot of process. And so I think you’ll be a great addition to our team to help me in that effort of you know, in getting them in good shape, especially since you’re around during the day, and I’m not.

30 00:05:23.640 00:05:37.019 Giselle Agot: Yeah, I’m flexible with the hours, actually. But yeah, for now I’m just 20 h per week. So I have to like, hop in like early, I think morning, Esd, and then I hop in the afternoon for meetings.

31 00:05:37.110 00:05:59.770 Giselle Agot: So yeah, and I really will need your help. I know that you have a lot of things. You can share the processes. I actually reviewed what you have a notion, and I love your suggestions and what you have discussed in there. So I think, this is your your focus on the process, right? Like internal process

32 00:05:59.900 00:06:01.590 Giselle Agot: for project management.

33 00:06:01.920 00:06:07.410 Alexander Lubka: That’s right. I work on that. I work on documentation, and I help them with strategy and hiring.

34 00:06:07.900 00:06:09.900 Giselle Agot: Okay, okay, got it.

35 00:06:10.960 00:06:11.500 Giselle Agot: Okay.

36 00:06:11.788 00:06:35.470 Alexander Lubka: But yeah, I saw a couple of comments you made, and that thank you. Any sops or any documentation on the review I’d also love if you are available to meet with you regularly, whether it’s, you know, weekly or bi-weekly. I have a currently have a set meeting with a standing meeting with Amber on Mondays at this time. If you I’d happy for you to join some of it, or all of it, if you’d like

37 00:06:35.771 00:06:49.610 Alexander Lubka: I like to build out more of A. P. You know she’s the only resource. So you know that is the Pmo. But now, now that you’re here, and if we hire, you know, a full time project manager I’d like to turn that into more of like a Pmo focus meeting.

38 00:06:49.920 00:06:50.690 Giselle Agot: Okay.

39 00:06:50.890 00:06:51.235 Alexander Lubka: So

40 00:06:51.580 00:06:54.153 Alexander Lubka: But then, if great, I’ll

41 00:06:54.810 00:07:03.909 Alexander Lubka: well, I don’t. I’m I’ll include you in it. I have. We’re not having it this Monday. I I’m away, but I’ll include you in the series. So you have it on your calendar.

42 00:07:04.220 00:07:16.620 Giselle Agot: Okay? And then there’s a Pmo meeting. Amber sent out the invite for tomorrow. I think we will be. I’m not sure but I’m assuming it’s some are related to the Pmo plan

43 00:07:17.240 00:07:31.019 Giselle Agot: that she has drafted. Are you guys are putting up? Because I did see a lot of comments. But I’m not sure but that was she only invited me, so I’m not sure if or that’s beyond your hours.

44 00:07:32.520 00:07:34.340 Giselle Agot: Pmo. Delivery. Review.

45 00:07:34.670 00:07:38.120 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, I don’t. And there I’m not on that. Is there an agenda for that?

46 00:07:38.830 00:07:50.699 Giselle Agot: No, there isn’t she did slack about the schedule that’s for tomorrow. But I think this is, and these are hours that you’re not available, since it’s 2 Pm. Est.

47 00:07:52.060 00:07:52.380 Giselle Agot: Yeah.

48 00:07:52.700 00:08:16.339 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, I’m I’m curious what it is, because we have in our and I’m sending another message right before this about that. I don’t understand what that’s for. We do have in part of our process of end of the quarter. So we implemented this for for 3rd quarter it has. The obviously the 3rd quarter isn’t over yet, and my! And so they haven’t used all these processes for at least a quarter yet.

49 00:08:16.340 00:08:24.539 Alexander Lubka: My idea and what we have in the document is that we are going to review it at the end. Have a Quarterly review every quarter, and review it at the end of September being the next opportunity to do that.

50 00:08:24.540 00:08:37.299 Alexander Lubka: So I’m very confused by that. So I’m gonna I gotta ask her. But you can let me know if you hold it still, you can let me know how it goes, or you both can. But I don’t. Do you know where this came from?

51 00:08:40.447 00:08:45.600 Giselle Agot: when we had our onboarding she did mention like, if I have anything that I’d like to add and discuss

52 00:08:45.750 00:08:59.419 Giselle Agot: on the on notion I can like add it on there. Probably we’re just going to be brainstorming what this put up there and then any suggestions we can just add it in. And then, when we have the meeting with you, that’s when we present that. That’s what I’m thinking.

53 00:08:59.830 00:09:00.666 Alexander Lubka: Okay,

54 00:09:02.660 00:09:18.740 Alexander Lubka: you can have the meeting. I don’t think it. It doesn’t sound like it’ll be as focused as what I want to do in the end of September that I’ll include you in but see what she wants to do. I asked her to clarify what the agenda is before I just got on with you, so

55 00:09:19.170 00:09:22.039 Alexander Lubka: we’ll see what she says. But that’s I don’t know what that means.

56 00:09:22.640 00:09:27.849 Giselle Agot: Oh, okay, yeah, I’ll just let you know once or I’ll just give you an update after the meeting.

57 00:09:28.684 00:09:52.260 Giselle Agot: Our meeting for today. I don’t have any agenda. It’s more of like getting to know you and how like, how you how’s how, you know who you are in the team. So I don’t want to like, have you like in the call for so long? But yeah, I’d love to attend the meetings that you are having with amber. I I would love to understand more about the process that you guys have put up.

58 00:09:52.260 00:09:59.019 Giselle Agot: and if I have a chance I could like give suggestions. I did see that you have really good inputs on there. So

59 00:09:59.344 00:10:05.515 Giselle Agot: I’m trying my best also to you know. Add in some suggestions when I have any. So yeah.

60 00:10:06.110 00:10:22.759 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, please, do I? I put in the onboarding plan that I, you know, want you to be able to eventually, I think, within, like 60 or 90 days, or something, to form your own opinions and to, you know, provide your input and help us grow this cause. I I look at it as like a a joint effort between all of us.

61 00:10:23.200 00:10:28.885 Alexander Lubka: I think I see it as a growing department, and I see it as a collaborative effort.

62 00:10:29.320 00:10:33.920 Alexander Lubka: for us to help run projects more effectively. And I think that

63 00:10:34.100 00:10:36.089 Alexander Lubka: the fact that you guys are on the ground

64 00:10:36.500 00:10:43.749 Alexander Lubka: and you have insight that I don’t have because I’m just not around will be very instrumental in in how we develop the Pmo.

65 00:10:44.510 00:10:55.989 Giselle Agot: Okay. Alright. Yep. I look forward to our next meetings, and I think it’s best also that we have Amor in the call. I believe you guys already had this meetings. You have some discussions in the past, and I’d love to hear it.

66 00:10:56.880 00:11:06.449 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, absolutely. I’ll include you in those meetings. But I’d love to learn more about you and what your background. And you know what you’re what you’re working on.

67 00:11:06.770 00:11:25.120 Giselle Agot: Yeah, actually, I’ve been a project manager. It’s more of like in the digital marketing space. I’m more with website and development. I am not yet certified. I did not have any certification yet. I just landed to this role because I wanted

68 00:11:25.210 00:11:53.719 Giselle Agot: the you know the word project manager. So I didn’t have any idea when I applied years back. So I just wanted to move up to the management role. And that’s when I get to understand? You know, digital and you know, digital marketing. So it’s quite similar to what we have here in Rainforge. It’s just that it’s a different type of business. So it’s more of funnels. It’s more of campaigns. It’s more of website and development. So

69 00:11:53.910 00:12:00.913 Giselle Agot: but with regards to project management like being able to manage the tickets, the issues,

70 00:12:01.790 00:12:21.039 Giselle Agot: knowledge and you know, expertise with project management tools. I already have that learned over the years. And one thing is, they’re using linear here. And it’s actually my 1st time. But it’s somewhat similar with what I had in the past, like Jira, click up so it’s it’s all good for me as well.

71 00:12:21.890 00:12:32.309 Alexander Lubka: Oh, yeah, I mean, I never. I never used linear before here before or before. Here. I’ve only been, you know, Jira Monday kind of confluence shops sounds like you’re similar.

72 00:12:32.680 00:12:38.889 Giselle Agot: Yes, so it’s my 1st time like, is there a Pm. Tool? That’s linear. But it’s just the same.

73 00:12:39.010 00:12:55.490 Giselle Agot: My 1st Pm. Tool was Trello. So I use review. So I’m I, I could see, like, okay, this is how it goes. So it’s just being familiar. I actually just learned everything on the way I did not like, have I did not have proper training. So yeah.

74 00:12:56.680 00:13:14.219 Alexander Lubka: Sure. I mean, you figure it out eventually. That’s great and clearly well enough to, you know. Be a productive project manager in a couple of different places. So yeah, the certification isn’t everything. It’s for some people that are that don’t have the hands-on experience. It’s a good place to like learn the fundamentals, but the best way to learn is, get yourself into it.

75 00:13:14.818 00:13:17.191 Giselle Agot: Yes, just doing it. And then, yeah.

76 00:13:19.538 00:13:29.730 Alexander Lubka: Very cool, and so did so. What interested you about here? Was it like just a different type of industry and the different work, getting exposed to like AI and stuff.

77 00:13:30.010 00:13:34.739 Giselle Agot: No, actually, I got laid off from my 3 years project management with.

78 00:13:35.100 00:13:40.059 Giselle Agot: it’s the digital marketing space. So I get laid off like second week of June. So

79 00:13:40.871 00:13:50.109 Giselle Agot: it just so happened that Ryan posted in the Facebook group that they’re looking for project manager and the job description just

80 00:13:50.280 00:14:09.670 Giselle Agot: same exact like, like what I do like managing tickets managing, you know. So it’s the same. So I was not like thinking, okay, it’s a very technical business. So I was just more you know, focused on the job, the role and what I what what the what the tasks are. So I applied, and I sent out my application. So yeah.

81 00:14:10.310 00:14:11.050 Alexander Lubka: Great

82 00:14:12.510 00:14:14.200 Alexander Lubka: So did you have a nice summer then?

83 00:14:15.070 00:14:16.060 Giselle Agot: I’m sorry.

84 00:14:16.060 00:14:18.440 Alexander Lubka: Did you have a nice summer, then, between June and August.

85 00:14:18.976 00:14:24.833 Giselle Agot: It was not not not not nice. Actually, I was like really sad for 2 weeks.

86 00:14:25.710 00:14:27.369 Giselle Agot: weeks before my birthday.

87 00:14:28.220 00:14:39.370 Giselle Agot: Yeah. Because I did not expect like I’ll be laid off. It’s it’s just that the business was not doing really well, and if there are not any more projects, then, of course, the 1st

88 00:14:39.410 00:15:01.540 Giselle Agot: people that goes our project managers. So I am one, since I’m 1 of the most of the clients that I’m working with are already ending their contracts. So it was just so timely that yeah, the the biggest client that we have pulled out, and they needed to. You know to lay off some people, and I’m I’m 1 of them. So I was sad for a few weeks.

89 00:15:01.540 00:15:17.989 Giselle Agot: And then, yeah, that’s why I was actively applying. And then I didn’t know that I will be you know, responded back when I sent out the email because I was just I mean, I really wanted something to do. I didn’t want to stay ever since I graduated college. I

90 00:15:18.050 00:15:24.290 Giselle Agot: was already working so I I did not like have long, idle time, so I was not with.

91 00:15:25.270 00:15:27.259 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, I’ve I’ve been there before. I’ve been laid off.

92 00:15:27.360 00:15:32.849 Alexander Lubka: I think twice in my career. And yeah, it’s never fun. It’s like, yeah. The 1st couple of weeks is kind of like

93 00:15:33.180 00:15:51.000 Alexander Lubka: a mix of emotion or mix emotion. Some of it’s like, Yeah, I can just take some time off now other is just like, Oh, no! What am I going to do? And then, you know, you take a week or so, and just like you know, process it, and then you get back, you know, start applying it back into it. And stuff so sounds like you took that approach. And here you are worked out, worked out in our favor.

94 00:15:51.220 00:15:59.898 Giselle Agot: Yeah, I was like, I got really lazy those weeks like I was just sleeping doing thing. And I was sad because I was not earning so.

95 00:16:00.220 00:16:00.790 Alexander Lubka: Yeah.

96 00:16:00.790 00:16:26.180 Giselle Agot: It’s like, okay, but the company you know, I had my last pay. They compensated me because, of course, it was unexpected, so they already understood. And I was. I was with the company for years. So it’s sad that you know, it was very sudden. So that’s why I was actively applying. Because I know that it’s the competition these days is really hard, especially if it’s virtual or online work, especially here in the Philippines. So yeah.

97 00:16:27.190 00:16:32.010 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, was the other job remote, or was you went to you? They had an office in the Philippines.

98 00:16:32.410 00:16:41.030 Giselle Agot: It’s remote. I’ve been working online for a total of 11 years. This, my eldest son. So yeah.

99 00:16:41.030 00:16:42.470 Alexander Lubka: You’re ahead of the game.

100 00:16:42.783 00:16:56.900 Giselle Agot: No, I’m not. I mean I mean, I decided to work remotely because I had my 1st born. I didn’t want to like be in the office. Well, you know I I cannot like watch every milestone. So that’s that’s how I I come

101 00:16:57.250 00:17:06.919 Giselle Agot: like how it was. I was lucky, because during the pandemic, like, I was working remotely that time. So if I was in the office I wouldn’t have any work. So yeah.

102 00:17:07.150 00:17:18.792 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, that’s that’s incredible. Yeah, I I love it. I do it 2 days, or I do it. 3 days a week. I go to. We have an office. And I go in 2 days a week, which is nice to just like see people. And

103 00:17:19.416 00:17:24.623 Alexander Lubka: I really don’t think there’s beside, there’s no reason to go into an office more than 2 days a week. If that.

104 00:17:25.485 00:17:36.569 Giselle Agot: Yeah, during my free time I try my best to really go out. And you know, see people, it’s really you’re just staying indoors and just stay at home. So yeah.

105 00:17:36.570 00:17:42.079 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, it could be tough, just like staying home and working. And then just realize it’s like, you know, end of the day. And you got to go.

106 00:17:42.080 00:17:42.540 Giselle Agot: Yeah.

107 00:17:42.540 00:17:44.650 Alexander Lubka: Figure out dinner and all that kind of stuff. So

108 00:17:45.520 00:17:49.049 Alexander Lubka: yeah, you could end up being home all day. So glad you figured it out.

109 00:17:49.290 00:17:49.920 Giselle Agot: If.

110 00:17:50.610 00:17:51.220 Alexander Lubka: Cool.

111 00:17:51.915 00:17:54.089 Giselle Agot: Well, I appreciate that you.

112 00:17:54.220 00:18:01.420 Alexander Lubka: Taking the time. And you know, scheduling this. Is there anything I can answer for you, or anything else you want to talk about? Now.

113 00:18:02.390 00:18:16.280 Giselle Agot: For now I don’t. I’ll just send you the sop that, or tag you in notion with the sop that I drafted, that you can do. I I actually send it in the project management channel for amber. Yeah.

114 00:18:16.600 00:18:18.849 Alexander Lubka: Is it the? Is it the 2? Let me look.

115 00:18:19.270 00:18:20.110 Giselle Agot: Yeah.

116 00:18:20.110 00:18:24.469 Alexander Lubka: It’s the meeting structure and agenda.

117 00:18:24.470 00:18:25.300 Giselle Agot: Yeah.

118 00:18:25.300 00:18:27.770 Alexander Lubka: Well she should use it for the meeting she set up with you.

119 00:18:29.610 00:18:30.710 Giselle Agot: Which one.

120 00:18:30.970 00:18:33.670 Alexander Lubka: The Pmo Review thing, she should use it.

121 00:18:35.380 00:18:39.650 Giselle Agot: Yeah, but this is not yet approved. Or this is just a draft. So I I

122 00:18:39.650 00:18:44.638 Giselle Agot: I’m kidding. I’m kidding. Yeah, I would need you to.

123 00:18:45.180 00:18:50.329 Alexander Lubka: And all I’ve told her we she needs an agenda in all her meetings. And I. So I appreciate this. And I’m gonna look at it today.

124 00:18:50.700 00:19:00.890 Giselle Agot: Yeah, I actually am used to having an agenda, because there’s a lot of times that I’m talking to the client, and I get lost with. What’s the next topic that I have to discuss. So

125 00:19:01.791 00:19:18.660 Giselle Agot: that’s why I suggested to autumn that I I let’s do a a meeting agenda, although it the meetings that they have is different, like they right away screen, share the the progress of each ticket. So

126 00:19:18.810 00:19:26.369 Giselle Agot: I’m not sure if this is applicable or it could be, it would depend on the needs of the client. Probably.

127 00:19:27.560 00:19:33.049 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, I mean, I mean, I’m sure you could still put an agenda in in the body of any invite you send out.

128 00:19:34.620 00:19:36.929 Giselle Agot: No, I only have zoom link.

129 00:19:37.470 00:19:39.850 Giselle Agot: I am only assigned to 2 clients actually so.

130 00:19:39.850 00:19:41.958 Alexander Lubka: No, no, you know eventually, but

131 00:19:43.120 00:19:48.190 Alexander Lubka: it should be, and I’m I’ll partner with you on this every meeting that we set should have an agenda.

132 00:19:48.190 00:19:49.620 Giselle Agot: Yeah, I agree.

133 00:19:49.850 00:19:56.360 Alexander Lubka: If so, I will. Yeah, I will work with you to enforce this, because I agree with that.

134 00:19:57.270 00:19:57.990 Giselle Agot: Okay.

135 00:19:59.072 00:20:01.609 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, everything should have agenda. And then

136 00:20:01.790 00:20:05.182 Alexander Lubka: how does this? Is anything in on these about

137 00:20:06.280 00:20:13.239 Alexander Lubka: AI generating an agenda or AI, or how they use AI to take notes, for from these meetings.

138 00:20:13.994 00:20:36.710 Giselle Agot: The meetings that they have. Yeah, they they are. They actually use the platform for the transcripts. I think that’s very useful, especially when I I did suggest that we can send out meeting recaps after each meeting, just to itemize what’s being discussed, what needs, what are the action items or what will be the next topic for the next meeting? Something like that.

139 00:20:36.870 00:20:43.229 Giselle Agot: But yeah, they they have AI, but you just need to like edit them to make it more understandable.

140 00:20:44.940 00:20:46.180 Alexander Lubka: Yeah, I agree.

141 00:20:46.680 00:20:54.950 Alexander Lubka: I think, an agenda and some AI notes, and maybe some recap that’s tailored by the Pm. Would be very helpful.

142 00:20:57.240 00:20:57.860 Alexander Lubka: Cool.

143 00:20:58.287 00:21:01.770 Alexander Lubka: I’ll I’ll take a look at this today, and I’ll provide you my feedback for sure.

144 00:21:01.980 00:21:03.420 Giselle Agot: Okay. Thank you.

145 00:21:03.650 00:21:09.299 Alexander Lubka: Cool. Well, thank you. That was great to meet you. Welcome to the team, and if you need anything, please let me know.

146 00:21:09.300 00:21:11.469 Giselle Agot: Okay, sure will do. Thank you, Alex.

147 00:21:11.470 00:21:12.250 Alexander Lubka: Thanks, bye, bye.

148 00:21:12.250 00:21:13.290 Giselle Agot: Alright, bye-bye.