FORE!...a good cause (PART 1)

If you're following this blog, you may wonder why it may have seemed as though we have dropped off the face of the earth the past month or so. Three words: Unitedhealthcare Children's Foundation.

The foundation supports an admirable cause: aiding children whose conditions are not covered by their healthcare plans. Healthcare being the hot topic in the past year, we saw an immense amount of support towards the Foundation as we crafted a fundraiser event. Keating Magee helped The Unitedhealthcare Children's Foundation put on golf tournament fundraiser in both Mississippi and Louisiana.

The responsibility of soliciting donations for the auction fell in my lap. That being said, I have quite literally been eating, breathing and sleeping for this fundraiser event.

My competitive nature caused for a blur to set in over the line of my work hours. This being my senior year, I have learned the ways of effective scheduling and my first class of the day starts at 11 AM. However, during this period of my life--which I like to refer to as my "Donation Addiction"--I was not able to enjoy this privilege of sleeping in. 8:05 AM would hit and suddenly the alarming Irish Fight song ringtone would flood the room and my phone would nearly vibrate off the night stand. I look at my phone and do not recognize the number: it's a potential donor--I'm sure of it. I have 5 seconds to emerge from my drowsy state, answer the phone and be ready to pitch our request.

TIPS FOR MAKING SUCCESSFUL COLD CALLS
-New Orleans businesses truly value supporting local causes and local businesses. I by no means have a New Jersey accent (and thank the forces every day this is so), but it was interesting to see how much warmer the business contacts were once I used the term "ya'll" in our conversations. This gave off the impression that they were dealing with a local and helped me to successfully land certain donation items, such as the generous donation of a $100 gift certificate to any of the Emeril's restaurants.

-Don't be a robot--reciting lines as you go down your cold call list is subtle but apparent to the person on the other line. Immediately they tune out your message and lock into their stance being a firm "No". You want to be familiar with the facts of your request, and still maintain a high level of professionalism while making the call--but make sure you go into each call with a personal touch. Make them feel like it is their business and only their business that you need this donation from. I had a high success rate on the last days of my deadline to collect, and I can attribute this to the sincere hint of desperation that went into my calls.

A Few Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Internship...

So you've landed your first internship. You are probably feeling a variety of emotions - You're excited, a little nervous, and perhaps feel completely unprepared. But do not worry, because I have left you with a few things I have learned to ensure that you have the best internship experience.

1. Do your best work on all projects, no matter how big or small they are: Everybody has to start somewhere, and if you are starting out with your hand permanently attached to a file cabinet, that's okay! It's important to learn that even the most menial tasks can lead to big results. As you get more comfortable doing the simple things, it's very likely that your employer will become more comfortable giving you more important projects.

2. Always ask what else you can do to help: Once you're finished with a task, ask what else you can do to help. You should be looking for things to do, that way you can take full advantage of the learning opportunities you have been given.

3. Don't have a panic attack if you make a mistake: It will happen eventually. There is no need to get upset because you are expected to make a few mistakes down the road, and it's these mistakes that will help you learn. So when it does happen, take a few breaths, and learn how to fix your mistake.

4. Ask questions: If you don't understand something, ask for some clarification. You're new at this and although you may think you know all there is to know, chances are - you don't. So don't be afraid to admit you don't understand something or may need more explanation.

5. Get to know your coworkers: Getting to know your coworkers makes the workday a lot more enjoyable. After all, if they are working in the same industry as you, chances are you may have similar interests. Also, forming good relationships in the office can lead to future business contacts down the road.

Hopefully these tips will help all those internship-seekers out there to have a better understanding of what to expect and how to react in different situations. It's been a great summer for me at Keating Magee - I've learned a lot and am leaving with a better understanding of the business I hope to one day be a part of.

Add to Resume: Proficient in Tying Bows

In preparation for the U.S. Launch of Jade Absinthes at the Windsor Court, invitations needed to be made; and 200 bows needed tying. Raquel created the invitation and I had the joy of assembling the parts. The key to maintaining one's sanity with a task such as this, is to ensure you:
-Maintain an athletic and upright posture (slouching most certainly will result in back pains)
-An occasional knuckle crack/finger stretch is needed (to avoid getting carpal tunnel)
-Hydrate
-Keep mind occupied on another subject other than shiny red bows (I thought about my grocery list, an occasional song, and lapsed into some peaceful self reflection)

NOLA on the Cheap - Top 10 Ways to Spend $5 or Less this Summer

Being an intern doesn't usually leave you with a hefty wallet. Rounding out my fourth year in New Orleans, I've decided to make a list of the best ways to spend $5 or less around the city during the summer. The list includes some popular and some less-traveled locations, many of them offering special student discounts or offers, and unique ways to cool off. They are in no particular order because on any given day, any one of these activities could be a favorite.

1. Friday Night Concerts
I've never been let down by anything at either the House of Blues or Tipitina's, and the venues are even more enjoyable when it's free to get in. The House of Blues offers free music in the VooDoo Garden on Fridays all year round, featuring different artists and types of music. Tipitina's has their #FreeFridays summer concert series from the Tip's Foundation, that features some great local acts. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I saw the New Orleans Bingo Show a few weeks ago at one of these events. The price tags on both of these events will let you splurge on a drink (at around $5).

2. Ms. Mae's
On your way to Tip's, you might find yourself a little "thirsty." Located at Napoleon and Magazine, Ms. Mae's has shockingly low prices on everything ranging from mixed drinks to craft beer on tap. Mixed drinks cost only $1, and beers range from $2.50 - $5.

3. Sunday Matinee at the Prytania Theater
I live nearby the Prytania Theatre and I have definitely made a habit of seeing any movie I can there. The theater has been around since 1915, and the owner, Rene Brunet is often standing outside greeting the incoming patrons. Sunday Matinees have one particularly great item, the raffle. With each purchased ticket, patrons also receive a raffle ticket. Mr. Brunet makes a comedy routine out of picking the 10 winning tickets, giving away prizes that surely exceed the sales for the showing. The theater also gives student discounts for all movies times, at already lower prices than the major theaters. Sundays (Wednesdays and Saturdays too) at noon feature classic movies, so see the schedule to pick a date that's right for you.

4. Tour of the NOLA Brewery
I was lucky enough to have a Marketing project on the NOLA Brewery, and I got to meet the owner, Kirk Coco and VP Dylan Lintern. They were overwhelmingly nice and generous with samples. The brewery was founded after Hurricane Katrina, and they have been blazing their way through the beer scene in the city with 3 standard beers and now 2 seasonal beers. I purchased a glass for $5 as a takeaway, which I will presumably fill at home once their beers are bottled (check for it around December). The brewery offers tours on Fridays in the afternoon, but if you email someone at the brewery (or maybe even just stop by), depending on availability they can probably set up a visit.

5. NOMA
At the last stop on the Canal Streetcar, the gorgeous building of The New Orleans Museum of Art is virtually impossible to miss. Wednesdays at NOMA are free for everyone ($7 for students all other days), but students from local universities receive free admission every day. NOMA has some great permanent collections, and I've never been let down by a featured exhibition. Beginning July 24th, the museum will feature "Ancestors and Descendants:Ancient Southwestern America at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century."

6. Get a Snoball
If you have spent any time in New Orleans, you have definitely heard of the "Snoball." A distant relative of the universally awful "SnowCone," Snoballs are often the only cure for the extreme heat of New Orleans. Almost every neighborhood in New Orleans has a Snoball stand. I'm fortunate enough to have Hansen's Sno-Bliz around the corner from my house (try the special flavors), but some of my friends prefer Plum St. Snoballs, where the icy treats come in buckets.

7. Ride the Algiers Ferry
While this might sound like a strange idea, a friend of mine who lived in New Orleans his whole life suggested this to me last summer. The quick ride across the river always gives passengers a nice breeze and beautiful view of the city. The ride across the ferry is free, so you can save your money for a snack in Algiers at the Dry Dock Cafe.

8. Camellia Grill
The first time I saw Camellia Grill, it was still closed after the storm, and it was covered in graffiti and post-its begging for the restaurant to be reopened. Luckily it was and it has always been my favorite late night/early morning/weekend brunch or anytime place to go for cheap, delicious food. While not everything costs $5, you can get anything from two eggs to chili cheese fries, or their legendary "Freezes" at a fairly low cost.

9. Cafe Du Monde
If you find yourself in the quarter with empty pockets and a sweaty face, you might just find solace at Cafe Du Monde. This New Orleans icon is often busting at the seams with tourists, but catch it at an off time in the summer for a chance to cool off. Powdered Sugar coated Beignets speak for themselves, but try the iced version of the Cafe Au Lait for an anytime pick-me-up.

10. Southern Food and Beverage Museum
Pleasant air-conditioned places are hard to come by in the quarter, and so are interesting museums. At $5 for students, the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SOFAB) provides an interesting background on food and culture in New Orleans and in the rest of the Southeast in a creative setting. The museum also features a separate Cocktail museum where the history of the cocktail is presented in a funny and eye-catching setup.