This past week has been absolutely hectic, I haven't sat in my own office for more than an hour all week!
The week didn't get off to a great start, though by the end everything picked up. I've been filling in for the HR manager Eileen, as I specified before. She's been off all week so I've been dealing with all the hectic stuff that occurs when people don't show up for shifts, when two people show up for the same shift, and when people decide to quit. Eventful to say the least.
In the middle of the week I got a very interesting assignment from Tom, the FP Manager. Tom wanted me to look into why some areas of Canada are more profitable than others for RBC- specifically for financial planning. It was a really exciting assignment as it built upon all those marketing reports we've been doing for YEARS at school. Let me tell you, all those formatting rules really paid off as I felt this was the perfect time to prove to my boss what I am capable of doing- thanks to professors like Prof. Cossa and Prof. Malik!
Also, we've been preparing for the big golf tournament on Monday, so I've been running around getting supplies for all the raffles going on. For those who don't know me- I LOVE party planning, so this was exciting.
Another exciting development in my job this week was that our regional VP Vince Isber has decided to meet with me one on one every Tuesday to discuss as well as get my thoughts on the performance of the regional branches, and what I feel is being done or what can be done to fully optimize performance. I feel very honoured as well as nervous to say the least that Vince would like to hear my input on this- it's such a great way to apply all the knowledge I've acquired here so far!
My big lesson this week has been very encouraging to my development here. I'll be quite honest... (because I feel there is no shame in admitting my mistakes so that I and you guys can learn from them) that this week was the first time I actually made mistakes on the job... and let me tell you for such small mistakes I felt horrible. However, what I soon realized was that this is a learning experience and everyone here at RBC embraces that. As opposed to being scolded, I was encouraged. To drive this point home I'd like to share this thought. I was just in the lunch room talking to the new Branch Manager in training. As most people know, becoming a branch manager is a huge accomplishment and in many cases takes years to get to. This guy is 26. Yes only 6 years older than me, and RBC has decided to put their trust in him and let him have this opportunity to prove himself. This has really proved to me that RBC embraces a youthful and innovative outlook- and what better way for me to prove that I've got it takes than to not shy away from getting out there and learning from my experiences whether good or bad.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tony Matta
"the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little EXTRA"
"reason leads to conclusion, but passion leads to action. This is YOUR business, run it like one! Get ownership behind the results and drive to succeed"
"be a solutions expert"
-Tony Matta
interesting statements i have heard and read, wanted to share them...
"reason leads to conclusion, but passion leads to action. This is YOUR business, run it like one! Get ownership behind the results and drive to succeed"
"be a solutions expert"
-Tony Matta
interesting statements i have heard and read, wanted to share them...
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Projects
hey guys,
so i'll give you a brief overview of the different projects i have been working on. i really took interest in working in a cross-functional environment so i get to interact with different departments. So here is a list of the projects im currently working on:
1) find alternate channels for products facing obsolescence (this is almost a $2 million project)
2) design a new orientation program applicable to all new hires (a set process)
3) investigate the current relationship between sales/marketing and how to improve them
4) different taste tests (of sodium reduced products)
thats just a brief overview. each day is different and i'm having a lot of fun. tony matta is great, he is off right now as he is getting married. i will post soon and please let me know if there are any questions.
so i'll give you a brief overview of the different projects i have been working on. i really took interest in working in a cross-functional environment so i get to interact with different departments. So here is a list of the projects im currently working on:
1) find alternate channels for products facing obsolescence (this is almost a $2 million project)
2) design a new orientation program applicable to all new hires (a set process)
3) investigate the current relationship between sales/marketing and how to improve them
4) different taste tests (of sodium reduced products)
thats just a brief overview. each day is different and i'm having a lot of fun. tony matta is great, he is off right now as he is getting married. i will post soon and please let me know if there are any questions.
Friday, May 23, 2008
I feel there is so much to write since I haven't written in a few days.
This week has been very different to say the least. To elaborate, Tom's associate Lucy who usually plans out my day has been away on vacation this week, so this week has allowed me to plan out my own days, create my own assignments, and prove that I am a self starter.
For the past few days I have been filling in for the HR Manager and will continue to do it all next week. It's interesting because I get to interract with the part/full time staff at the branches which I don't often get to do here at head office. Pretty much this job entails me to assign and schedule shifts within the branches.
One of the ongoing project I've been doing is related to the sale platform. I help the Regional Sales Advisor Annie Laurin track the sales calls that the Account Managers and Senior Account Managers make. After the information has been collected it helps Annie see how effective the branches are at communicating with their customers.
This week has also had a few exciting moments. I got to meet the new VP of Commercial Markets for Southwest Ontario who will be working out of our office because the current VP got a new job as the Head of Finance for RBC! Furthermore, we're in the midst of planning a golf tournament for the beginning of June.
Anyways, I'm off to finish some of these sales figures. Everyone have a good weekend!
-Natalie
This week has been very different to say the least. To elaborate, Tom's associate Lucy who usually plans out my day has been away on vacation this week, so this week has allowed me to plan out my own days, create my own assignments, and prove that I am a self starter.
For the past few days I have been filling in for the HR Manager and will continue to do it all next week. It's interesting because I get to interract with the part/full time staff at the branches which I don't often get to do here at head office. Pretty much this job entails me to assign and schedule shifts within the branches.
One of the ongoing project I've been doing is related to the sale platform. I help the Regional Sales Advisor Annie Laurin track the sales calls that the Account Managers and Senior Account Managers make. After the information has been collected it helps Annie see how effective the branches are at communicating with their customers.
This week has also had a few exciting moments. I got to meet the new VP of Commercial Markets for Southwest Ontario who will be working out of our office because the current VP got a new job as the Head of Finance for RBC! Furthermore, we're in the midst of planning a golf tournament for the beginning of June.
Anyways, I'm off to finish some of these sales figures. Everyone have a good weekend!
-Natalie
Sunday, May 18, 2008
MARS Apprentice is likely to have been a life changing experience for those who participated. Over the past six months you developed affiliations, learnt from each other, learnt from your mistakes and developed a future focus that is going to determine your careers. Remember though, you might not be able to foresee your future but you can ENABLE it.
Now is the time to continue sharing your highs and lows, your successes and your heartbreaks, your wins and your losses. This will ENABLE you to learn from each other and live the experience in a fish bowl. As the world watches you, and learns about you by reading your stories, all will follow your travels, contribute to your growth, and your overall development as a business professional and a human being. BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR MISTAKES, BE TRUTHFUL ABOUT YOUR FAILINGS AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY SHARE YOUR TRIUMPHS. Speak the experience best you can and allow others to learn from it.
Now is the time to continue sharing your highs and lows, your successes and your heartbreaks, your wins and your losses. This will ENABLE you to learn from each other and live the experience in a fish bowl. As the world watches you, and learns about you by reading your stories, all will follow your travels, contribute to your growth, and your overall development as a business professional and a human being. BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR MISTAKES, BE TRUTHFUL ABOUT YOUR FAILINGS AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY SHARE YOUR TRIUMPHS. Speak the experience best you can and allow others to learn from it.
Beginnings
Hey Everyone!
So I've just finished my first three weeks of work and it feels like a blur... so much has happened!
I have to admit that the night before my first day I was so nervous I could barely sleep, but I am very happy to say that things at RBC have turned out better than I could have ever imagined.
As a little bit of background, RBC is the largest bank in Canada (based on assets) and has recently been listed as #55 on the Forbes 100 most Powerful companies in the world list. I report to the Regional VP: Vince Isber as well as the Manager of Financial Planning: Tom Hayhurst-France. I guess you can now guess why I was so nervous and intimidated to start my first day.
My first day got off to a great start when I was surprised to find out that I get my own office! Right away I was introduced to everybody on the floor and quickly set off to work. Aside from the orientation, I have since been doing a wide array of tasks ranging from marketing to HR (which I will get to in greater detail in my upcoming posts.)
My main message that I want to elaborate on in this first post is that everyone here at RBC have made me feel welcome as well as useful. Everyday I have learned something new, and unlike with school, I am actually getting paid to learn!
So I've just finished my first three weeks of work and it feels like a blur... so much has happened!
I have to admit that the night before my first day I was so nervous I could barely sleep, but I am very happy to say that things at RBC have turned out better than I could have ever imagined.
As a little bit of background, RBC is the largest bank in Canada (based on assets) and has recently been listed as #55 on the Forbes 100 most Powerful companies in the world list. I report to the Regional VP: Vince Isber as well as the Manager of Financial Planning: Tom Hayhurst-France. I guess you can now guess why I was so nervous and intimidated to start my first day.
My first day got off to a great start when I was surprised to find out that I get my own office! Right away I was introduced to everybody on the floor and quickly set off to work. Aside from the orientation, I have since been doing a wide array of tasks ranging from marketing to HR (which I will get to in greater detail in my upcoming posts.)
My main message that I want to elaborate on in this first post is that everyone here at RBC have made me feel welcome as well as useful. Everyday I have learned something new, and unlike with school, I am actually getting paid to learn!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
my 1st week at JKM
hello all!
i will be spending my 16 weeks at Jan Kelley Marketing, a marketing agency in Burlington. way too much has happened in my first 2 weeks to discuss in one blog post, so i'll start with my first week and how i was introduced to the company.
JKM has an "On Board" program that they have all new employees complete. it involves going to each area of the agency (creative, production, media, internal services and marcom [marketing communications]) and meeting with ambassadors. during these meetings i had the opportunity to better understand how an agency works and learn about ongoing projects. everyone was very friendly and welcoming. the environment at JKM is relaxed but fast-paced and i feel like i'm fitting in well.
i work in the marcom strategy group. this is the area of the agency that deals directly with clients. my first day i attended a client meeting with Genuine Health. it was quite exciting for me as this was the client we worked on for the MARS challenge. this meeting really gave me insight on how things worked and the processes that take place when developing marketing strategies.
i have really enjoyed my first two weeks working at JKM and have already realized the importance of being proactive and proving yourself. i'll be entering my third week and am very excited to learn more and work with more clients.
more details to come!
for more info about JKM, check out their site
- kj
i will be spending my 16 weeks at Jan Kelley Marketing, a marketing agency in Burlington. way too much has happened in my first 2 weeks to discuss in one blog post, so i'll start with my first week and how i was introduced to the company.
JKM has an "On Board" program that they have all new employees complete. it involves going to each area of the agency (creative, production, media, internal services and marcom [marketing communications]) and meeting with ambassadors. during these meetings i had the opportunity to better understand how an agency works and learn about ongoing projects. everyone was very friendly and welcoming. the environment at JKM is relaxed but fast-paced and i feel like i'm fitting in well.
i work in the marcom strategy group. this is the area of the agency that deals directly with clients. my first day i attended a client meeting with Genuine Health. it was quite exciting for me as this was the client we worked on for the MARS challenge. this meeting really gave me insight on how things worked and the processes that take place when developing marketing strategies.
i have really enjoyed my first two weeks working at JKM and have already realized the importance of being proactive and proving yourself. i'll be entering my third week and am very excited to learn more and work with more clients.
more details to come!
for more info about JKM, check out their site
- kj
Introduction
hey everyone,
this is my first blog entry, so i'm not used to this kind of thing. my first week of working with frito lay has just come to an end, and i'll give u a brief summary of my role and examples of what a day in a marketing job looks. the first day i got there, i was slightly intimidated (if you know me, that means a lot). i soon realized to be successful in the fast-paced environment, all of the work must be self-initiated. basically taking initiative and being independent. there will be 3 phases to my internship. 6 weeks in marketing, 6 weeks in consumer insights, and 6 weeks with the ontario sales team. there are two main projects i have currently been assigned. i will post information about them soon. frito lay is an awesome company to work for and they made my entry smooth and comfortable. i fit in with the corporate culture well, and i feel i have been socialized in there environment. the ppl r great, and i'm having a lot of fun! let me know if you have any questions.
this is my first blog entry, so i'm not used to this kind of thing. my first week of working with frito lay has just come to an end, and i'll give u a brief summary of my role and examples of what a day in a marketing job looks. the first day i got there, i was slightly intimidated (if you know me, that means a lot). i soon realized to be successful in the fast-paced environment, all of the work must be self-initiated. basically taking initiative and being independent. there will be 3 phases to my internship. 6 weeks in marketing, 6 weeks in consumer insights, and 6 weeks with the ontario sales team. there are two main projects i have currently been assigned. i will post information about them soon. frito lay is an awesome company to work for and they made my entry smooth and comfortable. i fit in with the corporate culture well, and i feel i have been socialized in there environment. the ppl r great, and i'm having a lot of fun! let me know if you have any questions.
Welcome to The MARS Apprentice Experience
Hey there!
Thanks for coming by. Our lucky winners of internships are here to share their stories from the summer and beyond. Here's who we got:
Madhav Mehta - Frito Lay Canada
Natalie Starszyk - RBC Financial Group
Kejina Robinson - JAN KELLEY Marketing
They are eager to give you a glimpse of the rewards of MARS Apprentice. For more information visit mars.mcmaster.ca for the official MARS Apprentice website.
Thanks for coming by. Our lucky winners of internships are here to share their stories from the summer and beyond. Here's who we got:
Madhav Mehta - Frito Lay Canada
Natalie Starszyk - RBC Financial Group
Kejina Robinson - JAN KELLEY Marketing
They are eager to give you a glimpse of the rewards of MARS Apprentice. For more information visit mars.mcmaster.ca for the official MARS Apprentice website.
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