Our company name, “The Bright Side of Life”, was chosen on the spur of the moment when the Dutch Chamber of Commerce asked me to come up with a unique business name. It’s a phrase that encourages a positive outlook, focusing on the good things in life, even in challenging circumstances. It’s a reminder that life is full of ups and downs and that finding the silver lining in even the most difficult situations is essential.
The Bright Side of Life in 2022
More than 25 years later, reflecting on my choice of company name, it’s a perfect match for our company and goals. Although there are always challenges along the way, taking the time to reflect regularly on the things we are grateful for can help us focus on the positive aspects of our work. So, here are three things for which I’m grateful in 2022:
#1 Great Teamwork
Most companies claim that they have a talented team. At BSL, we not only have an expert team, but we also have a unit without egos. Everyone works for the common good of the company and our clients. Good teamwork provides ample opportunities for our designers and developers to learn from each other and develop new skills. It also means that new recruits receive all the help they need.
#2 COVID
Why am I grateful for COVID? Because the COVID constraints have taught me that a development company can be just as efficient when working from home. Although it calls for more effort to maintain a team spirit, and I prefer to see everyone in the office, I’ve learnt that remote working doesn’t impact our productivity or the commitment of our engineers. I’m uncertain if I had dared to work like this without the firm push from COVID regulations.
#3 Meeting New Clients
I created BSL as a development team for hire. We’ve worked with three of our customers for over twenty years, successfully delivering design, development services and technical support. The longevity of these partnerships demonstrates our success.
During 2022 we’ve welcomed several new clients, allowing us to share the Bright Side of software development with a larger audience. Who knows, perhaps we’ll celebrate twenty-year anniversaries with them in 2042.
Looking back, 2022 has been a unique year in many ways. Firstly, a recovery from the impact of COVID, quickly followed by the consequences of war in Europe, including rising inflation and interest rates. Undoubtedly, many of these challenges will continue in 2023, along with an ever more urgent need to protect the environment.
We will also inevitably encounter more and more AI technology in almost every aspect of our lives, which is why I enlisted the help of ChatGPT to write an end-of-year poem to complete my blog.
The end of the year is here
A time to reflect and cheer
To look back on all that we’ve done
And to set goals for the year to come
So let’s embrace the end of the year
And all that it brings, both far and near
Let’s make the most of every day
And find the bright side along the way.
Hardly Shakespeare – but better than some text found in Christmas/New Year cards. I was impressed that ChatGPT was clever enough to include “the bright side” in its poem, with only a little prompting from me. ChatGPT “remembers” earlier conversations and can use this as part of its answers.
Enjoy your Christmas, and may the New Year be good to you and your family. I look forward to meeting you in 2023.
