An EdTech Journey

I started my EdTech journey years ago with a vision that energized and excited me in a way few other things have. I saw clearly a future in which technology transformed education, making it better, faster, and more fun -- for teachers and students, trainers and trainees. I recognized immediately that such a transformation would require forward-thinking investment and business acumen. Since launching PolivkaVox LLC in 2011, I've worked with many incredible clients. And I've stayed true to a written set of guiding principles that help keep me focused on my own professional identity.

I'm publishing these principles for the first time here.

Mission

Empowering innovation at the intersection of business, education, and technology.

Vision

Creating a world where thoughtfully integrated technology enables deeper learning, enhances educational experiences, and energizes business growth.

Mantras

Ideas are our currency.

We believe innovative thinking creates lasting value.

Integrity is our identity.

We build trust through transparent practices and authentic relationships.

Transformation is our goal.

We look beyond credentials to harness the power of education to change lives.

Collaboration is our process.

We cultivate diverse environments where the best ideas emerge in authentic relationship.

Fast, effective deliverables are our hallmark.

We provide value quickly and measurably, accelerating results.

Working with us is dead easy.

We remove the complexity so clients can focus on what matters.

I don't use the term "values," though of course these are the definition of what I value in my business. I call them mantras because of the unique connotation of that word. Technically, originally, a mantra is a sacred utterance imbued with inherent power. I'm not claiming that, but I like the implied weightiness. In American usage the word expresses a particularly strong belief, often used as a motivating chant or personal affirmation. I like that, too.

But these are not abstract ideals. They describe how PolivkaVox works in practice. I think about them all the time, in every contract and every context. The mantras have evolved as clients have shared their own challenges and aspirations, but the mission remains the same. And the original vision that inspired me to start this journey has not changed, either. It still excites and challenges me in the same way it did then. And I am confident that the best is yet to come.

What do you think? I'd love to hear what resonates with you or what principles guide your own work in this space. Collaboration is our process, after all!