Today….

I was excited about a PC - a Dell for that matter.

I marveled at the beauty of a Microsoft product - the new Windows 8. 

ME. Mac Lovin’, I-Phone Usin’ (but still PC savvy because business dictates it be so) ME. 

*LE GASP*  

What could this possibly mean? Well that we got laptops of course! I feel validated of sorts, more like an official employee. 

The cherry on top of a great day of orientation (yes, better than the laptop) was my first meeting and dinner with the HR team and CFO. Talk about feeling like part of the team. We laughed, joked, and shared life stories. I knew going in that this internship was going to be unique but I do not think I realized how much so. I cannot imagine many interns get to spend time with the CFO of a world-leading company like I did today. 

Bring on day three! 

“Don’t Be Comprehensive
Be Good.”

— Mark Wiskup 

Today's Training Brought to You By

                  &   

                                                             Basically 

                                      

Mark Wiskup, a management consultant and communications professional (did he mention he has three books?) kicked off training today in Tampa where I’m starting as an HR intern. He was funny, personable while making it clear he was the expert, gave great advice and *shocker* really knew how to deliver a talk. 

He started by walking our group of trainees through specific situations we had been in which we could have communicated better, digging down to a central point through active listening (aka asking questions till understanding).

You must convince people to act because something is in their best interest.

The answer every time to why a team member didn’t help with a project (or what have you) was because they saw another action as being in their best interest instead. 

Great connection tips followed which lead into connection killers. 

The basically used above was a nod to him. He explained why it should never be used in speech in the most brilliant way I’ve ever encountered. Previewing sentences with the b word communicates the air of:

"I’ve taken full measure of the intellect in the room (it’s not very big) therefore I’ve boiled down what I’m about to say so all can understand, AND pointing out to you that I’ve done so." 

Excellent. Hey you - If I apologize for patronizing you by starting this post with basically, will you promise to never use the b-word  again because you hear the still small Tim Gun/Steve Martin voice of Mark Wiskup in the back of your head reciting the sentence above? Good. 

Tomorrow brings orientation: day two.