Sunday, December 11, 2011
Blog: Finding your "white hot"
I was returning textbooks in the BYU Bookstore when I met a brand new freshman, who talked to me the entire way through the line about her choices for majors and minors. Like many other freshmen, she was interested in many things—and completely confused which to pursue. She named about six majors, stopping only because it was her turn in line.
You might think you’re safe from this confusion (after all, you have a career and the title to prove it) but I’ve talked to several employees during my AmFam internship this summer who aren’t too different from that freshman. Some would like to try something new but don’t know what or how, and others have made it to their current position only after trying several alternatives.
I’ve realized that it all comes down to finding your “white hot.” This is the hottest part of the fire, and finding yours means you’ll accomplish significantly more high quality work. Think about it: how much more would you get done each day if you loved your work so much you couldn’t wait to get started?
While each person may have a different path to finding their “white hot,” I learned a few things this summer that college students and professionals can do to come a little closer to the heat:
1. Find out about yourself—and then play to your strengths. In college, they have career advisement counselors. At AmFam, they have a Career Engagement and Agility Course. You don’t need to be a confused freshman to find out what makes you tick. Taking classes like this—or even the Meyers-Briggs test—is the first step in finding who you really are and where you can make the biggest difference.
2. Always seek out new opportunities. Don’t dismiss opportunities that at first glance, don’t fit into your ideal. Before attending BYU, I thought business was nothing but accounting and I almost didn’t take the internship at AmFam. Growing horizontally enriches everything, and can open up doors you never even knew existed.
3. Think outside the box. Students are always inventing ways to get work done with minimal efforts (study groups, anyone?) but you don’t need to wake up at noon to work smarter, not harder. Want some ideas? Read Seth Godin’s blog!
4. Never stop learning! Learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom and it doesn’t end when you graduate or receive that big promotion. By taking every chance you have to learn, you’ll be that much more valuable—and have more to contribute.
5. Be willing to give it 200%. Even though this doesn’t make sense mathematically, when you give it your all and then some, amazing things can happen—including inspiring the people around you.
6. Pay attention to things (and people) around you. We’ve all heard it before: networking is so important. I was once told: get to know what people love and then love what they love—then they will love you. Listen to others, and then do the small things to build and keep relationships. Think of each thing as a stone in the wall: it doesn’t look like much close up, but step back and you’ll see something magnificent.
I say, find your “white hot”! Whether your desk is a cubicle with dual monitors and spreadsheets or the kitchen table next to some instant ramen, you stand to gain so much by searching for the heat.
**This blog was published on the American Family Insurance internal corporate blog, "Cube With A View".
Feature Story: Carl Bloch Exhibit
Carole Smith drives from Draper to Provo every week to volunteer, taking tickets and directing people into a panorama film room. Upon entering, images of the Demark countryside, the inside of a cathedral leading up to the altar, and beautiful paintings of Christ flash across the screen. Then, a phrase lingers: “These paintings have traveled here, across time, and across the world. Now you are a part of their story.”
“I love the art,” Smith said. “That’s why I’m here.”
Smith is a volunteer at the Museum of Art, which is currently offering visitors a chance to see “Carl Bloch: The Master’s Hand.” This exhibit is open through May and showcases a collection of the artist’s work, including five altar pieces and various other religious, historical, and secular pieces that were gathered from churches and establishments in Sweden and Denmark.
Some exhibit patrons carried iPads around with them, an additional tour feature, while others simply pondered the rooms of colorful paintings. Two young girls knelt on the ground with their arms around each other, pointing at a collection from Christ’s life. Many of the patrons were visibly moved.
This was the case for Carol Bonnett and Judy Mortenson, Utah residents and longtime friends. Sitting in front of Bloch’s painting depicting Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, Mortenson wiped away tears and put her arm around Bonnett.
“I feel a reverence being here,” Mortenson said.
Mortenson said that the painting contrasted the hardness of the world with the light of the Savior and showed the tenderness of Christ’s love. “He didn’t know it would be so hard,” Mortenson said, “but he did it anyway.”
Bonnett said it there was trouble in securing the paintings for the exhibit, causing them to almost not arrive. “It’s really a miracle that they’re here,” she said.
Outside of the exhibit, Smith enjoys asking patrons about their experience. “I haven’t run into anyone that didn’t love it,” Smith said.
When asked about her weekly drive, Smith said, “you have to fuel your passions.”
**This story was written for a BYU media writing class the Winter 2011 semester.
Website Content: TRUE Travel Spa
During the Fall 2010 semester, a team of five entrepreneur students at LDS Business College created a mobile spa business for a class project. TRUE Travel Spa made over $1,000 that semester and I submitted an executive summary that won 2nd place in the 2010 Opportunity Quest Business Competition. After the semester ended, I and four new students continued by developing a business plan that placed us in the top 30 in the 2011 Utah Entrepreneur Challenge.
Although the business is no longer running, I learned many valuable lessons during this experience. To see our website design, please go to http://truetravelspa.com.
Although I did not design the website, I wrote the content and worked with the designer to develop our layout.
Although the business is no longer running, I learned many valuable lessons during this experience. To see our website design, please go to http://truetravelspa.com.
Although I did not design the website, I wrote the content and worked with the designer to develop our layout.
Newsletter: Mobility Newsletter Template
**This newsletter template was created for the American Family Field Mobility Team in July 2011.
Website Content: Android Battery Savers
Please click here to view a website article written about Android phone battery savers.
**This article was published on the American Family Field Mobility Website in December 2011.
**This article was published on the American Family Field Mobility Website in December 2011.
Advertisement: KitchenAid
Please click here to see an advertisement created for KitchenAid mixers.
**This advertisement was created for a BYU media writing class Fall 2011 semester.
**This advertisement was created for a BYU media writing class Fall 2011 semester.
Newsletter Article: Social Media: A Changing Landscape in Sales Business Technology
Social Media: A Changing Landscape in Sales Business Technology
Social media has changed the way we do everything. We go to social media outlets to listen to music, make recommendations, buy things, learn socially and connect with co-workers and friends. The consumer world is busy and growing on social media—so how do we help the field arrive there as well?
Sales Business Technology supports several initiatives that increase field involvement and understanding in a world that can move very quickly—and sometimes, can seem very confusing.Social Media Website
We’re partnering with Digital Marketing, Communications and Human Resources to provide the field a centralized source for internal and external social media resources
This website will bring field members to various company tools (such as the Digital Marketing Toolkit and Cube with a View) along with explaining what social media is—and why it’s valuable to them. Website content will provide education and resources from a corporate perspective and will allow members to see success stories and tips from agents, ASMs and other field members.
We’re currently gathering field feedback and will present the concept during FMC on September 19. We look forward to this website fostering understanding and excitement about field social media use.
Mobility Initiatives on Social Media
With the field becoming increasingly mobile, our Mobility team is supporting the field not only through the Field Mobility website, but through a few social media outlets as well.
Mobility’s Twitter account (@MobileField) is a way to get out news of recent mobile developments such as new devices, apps and other interesting stories. This Twitter account is following not only corporate members and leaders but field members as well.
The FieldMobility Yammer Group is a private group on Twitter for members of the field to talk about their devices, ask questions and get feedback. This group fosters an environment of field members helping one another with minimal corporate involvement and has grown exponentially in its membership within the last two months.Along with the FieldMobility Yammer Group, SBT—along with many other districts and corporate departments—has a private group on Yammer. These groups allow teams to collaborate and share news with one another in a way that is convenient and fast.
Social media is becoming an increasing focus in SBT as we support the field in understanding and using these resources. Instead of being confusing and overwhelming, social media can ultimately transfer face-to-face successes to a much larger sphere of influence.
**This newsletter article was published in the American Family Insurance TechConnect Newsletter.
News Story: Zuckerberg and Senator Hatch speak at BYU technology forum
PROVO – Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, spoke about innovation, education and passion at a technology forum Tuesday at the Marriott Center.
“We just look for people who are passionate about something...it almost doesn’t matter what you’re passionate about,” Zuckerberg said.
Zuckerberg said that Facebook’s founding principle of empowering people with information keeps him moving forward even in hard times and said that success relies on the company. He stressed the importance of having great people to work with along with knowing the target audience.
“I feel that what we’re doing is as much psychology and sociology as technology,” Zuckerberg said.
Zuckerberg talked about the influence technology has on education, and said that the transparency in technology can help educators see problems more easily and can also spread information more quickly.
He said that education was one of his top priorities, and mentioned his contribution to the Newark school system. Hatch praised him for his efforts.
Zuckerberg also turned the tables and asked Hatch how he thought government and technology could better work together. Hatch said that innovation is flourishing because the internet has been left relatively alone from the government.
“I think the best thing Congress can do is to stay away,” Hatch said, as the audience applauded.
Zuckerberg also gave insights the changes technology entrepreneurs are making and advice for those wanting to break into the field—as well as those wanting to work at Facebook.
“I just think there’s a huge opportunity for distraction in a platform like this,” Zuckerberg said.
When Hatch asked Zuckerberg for advice on classes students should take to enter a field such as his, the Harvard dropout’s answer was met with laughter.
“I wasn’t in school for that long, so I’m probably the wrong person to ask,” Zuckerberg said.
**This news story was written for a BYU media writing class, Winter 2011 semester.
Press Release: The Walton Corporation
The Walton Corporation
Contact: Beki Winchel
783-456-9982
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 11, 2011
The Walton Corp. announces closure of Luckyville plant
LUCKYVILLE, Utah – The Walton Corp. announced the closure of its facility in Luckyville, citing the recession decreased revenue as factors in the decision.
The Walton Corp. CEO Susan Walton said the decision to close was hard to make. “We are sympathetic to our employees and their families at this time,” Walton said. “We will be helping them move forward through such things as severance packages, job training and job placement programs.”
The facility, which employs 300 people, will be closed by Dec. 31 and put up for sale.
The Walton Corp. had anticipated a potentially profitable product launch earlier this year, but revenues were lower than expected. This decreased revenue, along with the economic recession, contributed to the decision to close the plant.
“We thought about our employees’ welfare as well as our company’s,” Walton said. “Ultimately, it came down to reducing costs so that The Walton Corporation could still be in business.”
Although the closure will affect the town’s economy, Walton remains positive for the future of the community of 12,000.
“We hope this closure will give opportunity to another source of revenue for the people of Luckyville,” Walton said. “By selling the building, another company can offer new job prospects.”
The Walton Corp. was established in 1978 and manufactures educational software for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The company owns and operates two other facilities, located in Minneapolis and Pittsburgh. Additional information can be found on the Web site: www.waltoncorp.com.
**This press release was written for a BYU media writing class Winter 2011 semester. The Walton Corporation is a fictitious company.
Feature Story: Autumn Mayberry
Autumn Mayberry never intended to become a massage therapist. However, the massage table in the center of the room tells a different story.
And Autumn is no regular massage therapist: when asked what a typical day is like for her, she responds that nothing is typical when it comes to her patients.
Autumn owns Massage Dimensions LLC and specializes in Ursa Foundation practices, which incorporate all body systems into finding the solution to pain, immobility and other problems. Treatments focus on the centers of the body that are out of alignment and aim to get muscles and nerves working with the skeletal system properly.
Sitting on a couch next to the table, Autumn talks quickly and excitedly, her hands constantly moving. Her older sister is watching her new baby and her husband is currently a deployed serviceman, so Autumn is filling her day with clients. Even in the few minutes of downtime, energy spills out of her as she explains how she got here.
Autumn has always been interested in the way the body works. Flipping her wrist back and forth, she says it’s amazing how each position means something entirely different.
Taking anatomy and physiology classes as “an easy A” until she decided to major in sports medicine, Autumn would often travel with the football team as a trainer with her sisters Amber and Lark. Most of her friends were athletes and upperclassmen, and she laughs as she tells her reactions at football games.
“I would say, ‘Did you see what that guy did with his ankle?!’” Autumn says. “And they would say, ‘Did you just see that touchdown?!’”
After graduating with her BS from BYU, Autumn planned to continue her education in Washington in physical therapy, and attended massage school as a way to keep her skills until she obtained her residency. It was after nearly completing the program that she was told about the Ursa Foundation.
Attending her first class at the Ursa Foundation, Autumn says she felt immediately in over her head.
“I went back to the hotel room that night after class and bawled,” Autumn says.
It took Autumn a long time to go back for another class. By this time, she had been laid off from her job in Ohio, the economy wasn’t doing well and she was getting a divorce. Feeling like she had nothing, Autumn knew she had to attend more Ursa classes and open her own practice using the techniques.
“I thought if I could help other people feel better, then I wouldn’t feel so bad about myself,” Autumn says.
Not know how she was going to continue attending the expensive Ursa classes, Autumn made a goal of attending two the next year. She ended up attending 12.
“All of my money that didn’t go towards the bills went toward Ursa that year,” Autumn says.
One day, an injured classmate asked the instructor to help her. Having gone to four different massage therapists, nothing relieved the pain.
Autumn draws a “z” in the air, describing how her vertebrae looked. Autumn says that it looked like her instructor used no pressure, but she watched as all the vertebrae fall back into place. She says she was immediately interested in how to do that.
In fact, Autumn fixed a vertebrae in another classmate’s neck soon after to the dismay of her instructor, since she didn’t know the techniques yet.
Autumn moved to Utah and lived with Lark, where she said she finally “crashed” under the weight of her personal life. However, attending Ursa classes put things in perspective for her.
“I’m there and it’s noon, and I met someone that’s in a worse spot than me,” Autumn says.
Autumn’s sister Lark said caring for others is one of her biggest strengths. Michelle Glenetski, one of Autumn’s patients, said that during her treatments, Autumn was not only personable, but explained what she was doing and what Michelle could do to continue healing after going home.
Autumn says that she takes one day at a time, listening to each and every patient—and her family.
“My goal every day is to be a good mom,” she adds.
Lark says that Autumn’s practice has given her added confidence. One can see this confidence now, as she tells her story.
“I’m pretty blessed,” Autumn says. “If you can make the world, or at least your world, a little better, then it’s not all pointless, you know?”
**This feature story was written for a BYU media writing class, Winter 2011 semester.
Broadcast Package: American Fork bridge construction
(((CONNIE)))
PEOPLE ARE GATHERING IN AMERICAN FORK TONIGHT TO SEE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS MOVE A NEW BRIDGE OVER INTERSTATE 15.
KSL’S JIM BRITTON GIVES US DETAILS ON THIS MOVE.
(((JIM)))
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ARE MOVING TWO NEW BRIDGE SPANS TONIGHT NEAR AMERICAN FORK’S WEST MAIN STREET FREEWAY INTERCHANGE.
CITIZENS CAN WATCH THE MOVE FROM THE EXISTING MAIN STREET BRIDGE, AND PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT THE PARK-AND-RIDE LOT SOUTHWEST OF THE INTERCHANGE.
(((PKG)))
(((NAT SOUND OF CRANES)))
THE TWO BRIDGE SPANS EACH WEIGH 2,000 TONS AND ARE THE LONGEST AND HEAVIEST CONCRETE BRIDGES TO BE MOVED WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES.
ACCELERATED BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION CUTS DOWN ON CONSTRUCTION TIME, HELPING BOTH THE WORKERS AND THE PUBLIC.
(((SOT)))
Time code: Tape # 1 2:48 “It really lessens the time we have to inconvenience the public and saves us time and money on the project as well.” 12:53
CG (name super) = Scott Thompson - UDot Spokesperson
RUNS: 0:05
Fact # 1
USUALLY A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LIKE THIS WOULD TAKE DAYS AND DISRUPT TRAFFIC FLOW SIGNIFICANTLY.
THE EXISTING MAIN STREET BRIDGE IS CLOSED FOR SAFETY REASONS BUT WILL RE-OPEN AS SOON AS EACH BRIDGE SPAN IS IN PLACE.
(((NAT SOUND UP OF BACK-UP BEEPS)))
Fact # 2
EVEN THOUGH THE BRIDGE ACCELERATION SPEEDS THE CONSTRUCTION TIME, IT POSES RISKS AS WELL.
(((SOT)))
Time Code: 1: 1:53 “Just making sure the bridge maintains its stability throughout the whole move is the thing they worry about the most. Any, anything off one way or another, we’ll have to stop and make sure everything’s okay, there’s not any cracking or structural issues. Structural integrity is the big thing with something this, this massive .” 2:11
CG (name super) = Scott Thompson, UDOT Spokesperson
RUNS: 0:18
Fact # 3
CONSTRUCTION BEGAN AT 10 TONIGHT AND IS EXPECTED TO RUN THROUGH TWO OR THREE TOMORROW MORNING.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE GATHERING TO WATCH CONSTRUCTION WORKERS MOVE THE BRIDGE SPANS INTO PLACE.
(((SOT)))
Time Code: Tape # 1 0:05 “It’ll be really cool to see as they inch it across as the whole hydraulic system moves and the wheels turn and rotate to be the right direction and
stuff.” 0:15
CG (Name super) = (None)
RUNS: 0:10
Fact # 4
THE BRIDGE PLACEMENT IS PART OF A NEW ROAD DESIGN CALLED THE DIVERGING DIAMOND, WHICH HELPS INCREASING TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE.
(((SOT)))
Time Code: Tape # 1 3:16 “The traffic models are such now that our current roads don’t meet future traffic needs, so what we’re trying to do is build more capacity
for more traffic.” 3:24
CG (Name super) Scott Thompson – UDot Spokesperson
RUNS: 0:08
(((JIM)))
THE DIVERGING DIAMOND DESIGN IS THE FIRST TO BE BUILT IN UTAH AND THE SECOND IN OF ITS DESIGN IN THE NATION.
I’M KSL’S JIM BRITTON. BACK TO YOU...CONNIE.
(((CONNIE)))
THANK YOU JIM...THAT IS A GREAT ENGINEERING FEAT.
**This broadcast package was written for a BYU media writing class, Winter 2011 semester.
Blog: What an amazing summer it's been
As an intern in the Sales Business Technology department, the first questions people ask me is where I go to school and what I’m studying. After my answers (which are BYU and public relations with a minor in business management), the questions that naturally follow are:
“Utah? So how did you start at American Family?”
My reply is usually, “I’m from Wisconsin.” (It’s true; I have the accent to prove it.)
However, the real answer is more than just that: I was interested in getting to know a company I had grown up with (just tell me that you can’t say “American Family” without singing the jingle in your head!) I was even more interested when I interviewed and got a taste of the culture and projects I’d be working on.
Now that my internship is coming to a close, I’m thinking about what an amazing summer it’s been. I’ve been involved in several projects that ultimately help make our Field Force the most technologically enabled sales force in the industry (in case any of you are wondering, that is the goal and motto of Sales Business Technology.)
I’ve spoken with many agents, assistants and ASMs about their concerns, questions and ideas. I’ve attended meetings where this feedback is voiced and projects planned for. I’ve supported technology efforts with social media, communication and mobility and I’ve seen how departments are brought together to work towards a common goal.
I honestly didn’t expect to have this great of a summer. The team I work with is incredible (and I think you should visit them in a SBT Immersion and see what they do.) In some companies, interns are akin to gophers. Here, however, I’ve been treated like another valuable member of the team. I’ve actually been able to do things—lead things—and affect change. And I’ve learned so much along the way.
In closing, I’ll share with you some intern-ly advice:
1. Get to know people. A friend once told me, “Learn what people love. Then love what they love, and they’ll love you.” It’s amazing what listening and taking an active interest does. Networks increase, doors open and people are willing to work with you.
2. Ask questions—and be willing to learn. This is your time to learn! However, the best—and most impressive—questions are those that are asked after you do some research.
3. Don’t be afraid to share something new. In speaking with interns, Executive Vice President Brad Gleason said, “you bring us visions that we don’t see every day.” You might have an idea that is revolutionary, but if you don’t share your innovations, the company can’t benefit from them.
4. Get excited—and invested. Excitement really is contagious; when you’re passionate about something, people listen. Just as it’s hard to sell something you don’t care about, it’s difficult to be a hard worker without caring about your company and your place in it. Interns can see American Family’s vision just as much as a veteran employee.
**This blog was written for the American Family Insurance career blog. You can see the full article here, as well as a subsequent video blog on the same site.
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