Monthly Archives: May 2015

May 13
0

Why Pay For Intern Training?

By | eLearning, FAQ, mentoring, Millennials, US Department of Labor, VIP Summer Class of 2015, working with interns | One Comment

Just a quick note to say thank you to all the support and love since we launched!  Applications are rolling in and you’ve got a few more days to get yours in before the deadline. Apply here.

I wanted to address the reason of price, in case that is causing any sort of hesitation on your side.

So, why pay $75/intern for this training?

Have you ever heard the saying: “the grass is greener where you water it.”
photo credit: sujan sundareswaran

photo credit: sujan sundareswaran

How much does your wedding planning firm currently invest in training and development for your interns? Some of you guys might say, “well, nothing.” But actually, that’s a lie.

If you are training your interns on the fly, you are paying with your precious time.

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May 11
1

Hands-on Requires Letting Go.

By | junior event, mentoring, Millennials, VIP Summer Class of 2015, working with interns | No Comments

For interns, I firmly believe there is only so much you can read about event planning…at some point (I suggest, after six weeks), you just have to do it.

I have planned hundreds of events, of all shapes and sizes, since 2003 and I must admit, I learn something new with every single one.  Maybe we figured out the ballroom lights in Mercury Hall are on dimmers that sometimes self-adjust as if they are haunted…or that the loading dock at that one particular downtown hotel (you know the one) is a NIGHTMARE for load-in/out.  Or maybe we learned how best to communicate with that DJ who never seems to respond to any emails we send them…not one, not at all.

These are the true teaching moments.

And in these “finesse” moments, it truly tests your abilities to stay calm, cool and collected…and your true colors shine.

Can you think fast on your feet and do it with a smile?
(photo credit: Nadine Photography)

moments like these make wedding planning look easy – photo credit: Nadine Photography

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May 09
0

Why Interns are NOT a Pain in the Ass.

By | FAQ, mentoring, Millennials, VIP Summer Class of 2015, working with interns | One Comment

WARNING – controversial topic ahead…grab some popcorn and voice your opinion below!

 

Despite popular belief, I want to squash any preconceived notions that working with interns is a pain in the ass.  Well, wait…let me clarify.

When you’ve got the RIGHT interns mixed with the RIGHT training solution, you can’t go wrong.

So far, we’ve shared a few insider secrets on:

…but you might be sitting there wondering, “yeah Mary, that’s all well and good, but WHY interns?  Why bother?  How will they truly help my business scale and grow?”

Great question.

And I’ll answer that one with a question: Read More

May 08
1

Become an Exceptional Interviewer of Event Interns

By | interviewing interns, working with interns | 4 Comments

How does Professor X spot a superhero in the making?  How does he ensure that he/she will one day make a great asset to the X-Men team, with the right training and support in place? What about the manager of a football team?

How does he predict which players to bring on-board?

photo credit: abigail keenan

photo credit: abigail keenan

answer: preparation + intuition

Today, I’m going to share my five very best insider secrets on how to be like Professor X and become an exceptional interviewer of event interns, ensuring you’re bringing the RIGHT people on to your team, right from the start.

Because you don’t have any time to waste…you deserve to work with only the very best people.  And your clients expect nothing but the BEST from your firm.

Let’s dive in…  Read More

May 07
0

Where to Find the Very Best Interns

By | FAQ, SEPA, working with interns | 2 Comments
some of our very best Apprentices

some of our very best Apprentices over the years…

It’s all about getting the right people on the bus.

Let’s face it…you’ve got a small business to run, no time to lose, no time to slow down.  Especially in busy season, which is basically expanding to 10 months out of the year now, it seems.  Yup, I totally know that feeling.

There are times you’d much rather just keep your nose down and plow thru the ever-mounting work on your weekly to-do lists than even think about taking a step off the proverbial golden hamster wheel and taking time to weed thru resumes and interviewing candidates ad nauseam.

But hold the phone, for just a moment.

What if I could share with you my top 3 insider tips on where to find the very best interns, saving you time, making your life easier and helping to attract the right people to your team?

Well, here goes…  Read More