Is there protocol for protocol, too?

So many protocols and so much....time!

Passes, that is.

So, I wonder if you follow-up after Thank You's are sent?  Otherwise, how do you know if they have been received?  I have thus far resisted this, however.  Persistent and pest are not very far apart in the dictionary for a reason.

Happily though, I have received a brief email from Neiman Marcus.  The PR director will be forwarding information to the HR manager, who has been on vacation during much of the elapse time.  I hadn't heard from either, so I must admit I was a bit nervous.  I do, however, need to know if I will have this opportunity ASAP.  Otherwise, I may apply for a promotion within my current work.  The positions are opening faster than I can keep track of, so I am keeping those options alive.  Still being in school makes a lot of this tricky, though. 

It's All About The WordPlay

My parents used to stress the message that "it isn't what you say; it's how you say it."  They meant this strongly and sincerely, for it applied to so many situations.  As I sat in my statistics class today, I noticed my bias in the student presentations.  Those that sounded better, like they really knew what they were talking about, were perceived by me and surely other listeners to in fact be "better."

This probably explains how people get talked into buying a used car that's 8 years old with 250k miles on it and no engine.  An important thing in the proverbial real-world is to see past context and see the true content.  What I'm trying to say is...you don't really need that timeshare. :)

Actually, the point is actually the other way around.  You can have a fantastic product, but you MUST know how to sell it!!!  Presenters in class did some fantastic regression models, but the PowerPoint had a very so-so appeal.  We are visual creatures, so this is an element that should not be overlooked.

Seven Thank You's

When I was growing up, my parents (mother especially) would make sure that my sisters and I wrote our thank you notes every christmas, birthday, and relevant holiday.  It seems that some things never change much, for now I must take the time and make the effort to write thank-you's for professional purposes as well.

Seven cards were sent in total today.  I addressed seven individuals that I encountered at Neiman Marcus last Friday.  The letters were mailed today, so I think that not too much time will have passed before they are received.  Unfortunately, most of them will not be able to place a face to the name, but at least my name will be recognized should it arise again. 

After all, I do hope to work there!  I do not think I am cut out for retail, even in a nice location--perhaps more so because it's an exclusive location.  My aim is to work in the other areas in or around the admin office.  This wee little intern has big plans.

If I can do creative, visual tasks...all the better!  Wish we luck!

Lovely Store, Lovely Tour

I have fallen in love with Neiman Marcus.

My new pursuit is to work in PR/visuals for what is, in my opinion, of the the greatest chains on the planet: Neiman Marcus.  I toured the Orlando establishment today, as Alpha Kappa Psi arranged an EXCELLENT "get together" coporate tour today!  I have been looking forward to it all year--fashion is something I really love (see first post).  I don't indulge like I "should."  In fact, I walk around school so often in jeans and tshirts (not of the juicy couture nature, mind you).  But when I do, I really really do.  I can coordinate and accessorize with the best of them.  I'm just too lazy right now.

So, they have informal internships in which the 'intern' is actually put on the NM payroll--certainly no complaints here!  Anything other than the executive development program is pretty much on the basis of an individual store, so I am applying for such in a personal (still professional) way.  Neiman Marcus is a bit like the Hilton of 'department' stores in a way.  Not a far jump?

I didn't waste anytime e-mailing our main contact, Mrs. Ungaro.  Still, I hope to follow-up and thank all of the following in the near future.

Georgiana Ungaro - Public Relations Mgr
Mark Johnson - Dpt Mgr, Men's Sportswear
Angelo Otero - Product Specialist (Kiehl's)
Pamela Givens - Product Specialist (Trish McEvoy)
Deborah Thompson - HR Mgr
Michael Jansen - Merchandising Mgr

ad-Venture capital

I have been researching the web about financing start-up companies in much the way people search for discounted plane tickets! 

There is massive information, all basically the same thing....and yet I don't seem to really be lead anywhere much further from where I began!  The "family and friends" route is so far the best sounding one...but to me it is truly not.  Money and acquaintances are historically shaky unions.

Still, the web site inc.com features some decent articles; I just wish it was less reading!  If I find something particularly worthy, I will be sure to post it here.