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Times have changed. With the onset of social media there is great opportunity, but the potential trade off is detrimental. In the past, technology was primarily used in the professional world, and has inevitably seeped into our personal lives. Because there is never enough time in the day, technology comes into play, providing us with the means to be efficient. But with new opportunities there is usually a trade off. Human interaction takes the toll. Thanks to self checkouts, emails, and online catalogs it is possible to go through an entire day without any good old fashioned face to face communication.
Where is life headed? Technology offers us venues to thrive and evolve. But what are we evolving into? I urge you to proactively fight the natural tendency to embrace the technology wave. Be conscious of your priorities, and the impact of day to day human contact. So tonight, be old fashioned, have no cell phones at the dinner table and enjoy the meal surrounded by people you love.
I will take much from my internship, but I will hold the following lessons in high regard. These observations are very applicable to a new intern, but also to the more seasoned employee who has been around for many more years. We can often lose sight of the large picture and focus on tasks or details that cause us to fall short of our potential.
So, from an intern's perspective...
Fair Trade?
by Danna Roen (Marketing and Sales Intern), June 14, 2010 When I was younger, my dad had a cell phone the size of brick, but I never saw him use it. Every night my family ate dinner together; while we were eating, the television was never on, and no one answered the phone if it rang. As more things in my life continue to change, the more often I reminisce about what used to be. When did video games replace soccer practice? When did the digital "I love you" become the norm?Times have changed. With the onset of social media there is great opportunity, but the potential trade off is detrimental. In the past, technology was primarily used in the professional world, and has inevitably seeped into our personal lives. Because there is never enough time in the day, technology comes into play, providing us with the means to be efficient. But with new opportunities there is usually a trade off. Human interaction takes the toll. Thanks to self checkouts, emails, and online catalogs it is possible to go through an entire day without any good old fashioned face to face communication.
Where is life headed? Technology offers us venues to thrive and evolve. But what are we evolving into? I urge you to proactively fight the natural tendency to embrace the technology wave. Be conscious of your priorities, and the impact of day to day human contact. So tonight, be old fashioned, have no cell phones at the dinner table and enjoy the meal surrounded by people you love.
Listen before you leap
by Danna Roen (Marketing and Sales Intern), May 10, 2010 Absorb, a lesson to be learned in the workforce. Absorb your environment, the people, the culture - absorb everything. This is the first opportunity I have had in a true office environment. Surprisingly, the most valuable skills gained do not directly correlate with the business itself, but rather a more social approach. An office atmosphere may be thought of as a growing community in which each team, or division, has its own personality. The strengths and individuality of each strengthen the whole company when utilized effectively.I will take much from my internship, but I will hold the following lessons in high regard. These observations are very applicable to a new intern, but also to the more seasoned employee who has been around for many more years. We can often lose sight of the large picture and focus on tasks or details that cause us to fall short of our potential.
So, from an intern's perspective...
- Starting from day one, pay attention. Take in every detail and actively seek to learn. Active learning takes energy; ask many questions, and try to retain as much information from as many sources as possible.
- Know the people, they are the business. Once you know the people, know the organization. By knowing the organization, tasks and communication correlate, and synchronization is possible. By working as a team, full potential is realized.
- Observe and adapt. Go against the grain only when necessary and appropriate.
- Attention to detail is key. Small acts, such as arriving five minutes early, are small but are recognized.
- Take chances. Know what is expected of you, and then set the bar a notch higher. Use your strengths and run with a crazy idea. This act may result in success which could lead to the evolution of the business.