I must start by saying that I can’t believe my time with GBS is almost over! I feel like I still have have so much to learn- although I have learned an incredible amount already. Cold calling has been going…okay. I have had absolutely no problem yet with gate keepers, however I never call a company that I don’t have a point of contact with. I’m also learning to grow thicker skin. Part of me wants to assemble a slide show with pictures of puppies to watch after I’m done with the calls (joking…but seriously).

This week I’m with sales and marketing and am loving it although my heart still rests with producing.

This internship has been amazing so far- with so much reform coming, it has been quite an opportunity to stand in the middle of everything and grasp these changes for myself. I would never get this type of education in school. Gallagher has been an amazing opportunity and has truly motivated me to procure further employment with GBS. I am so lucky.

Veronica, from the Bellevue branch

I have worked in insurance for a while now and have seen a ton of successful, as well as unsuccessful people. I ultimately admire the ones who put in the time, both in and out of the office- at GBS her name is Jen. She is my mentor but I admire her so much beyond that. She is not only a remarkable producer, but also a highly approachable, intelligent person. I know I could ask her anything and she would give me an honest answer. When I think about my career and where I would want to be in 5 years, I look at Jen as my role model. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor.

Hope everyone is having a nice week!

~Veronica from Bellevue

As much fun as Itasca was, I’m happy to be back in my branch. It was cool meeting all the interns and learning how different branches approach the internship program. Being at the Westin reminded me of what it was like to live in the dorms
This week I have been in Sales. I have gone to a few client/prospect meetings and loved them. My mentor is really cool so I’m learning a lot from her but what I think is most interesting is how, at school, I can learn business but no matter what classes I take, none of them would teach me the real dynamics between a prospect/client and producer. I think that’s why I find this so interesting, in a lot of ways, this is my first real exposure to sales. I’m really liking this internship and hope everyone is doing well. It was cool meeting the Western Region and I hope everyone has a nice 4th of July.

- Veronica in Bellevue

One of our biggest client’s, Coinstar INC, recently purchased redbox. This merger has created our new largest client, creatively name Coinstar/redbox.  With the merger, the new company has asked us to do a benchmarking project for them.  As a result of this project, they hope to combine all the best elements of the two company’s benefits and even add on!!  Among their goals is making Forbes Magazine’s list of “The top 100 Places To Work”.

I was assigned the task of compiling a list of some unusual and attractive fringe benefits for Coinstar/redbox to include.  After a day of work, I had assembled a 5 page packet and presentaion for the broker team and at the end I was rewarded beyond my wildest dreams.  Nora Hoisington actually added ME to the broker team to help present at our client meeting on Wednesday.

This project is now my main focus as I work to, in the words of Pat Gallagher, “get noticed”.  I really hope all of you are doing well.  Have a nice weekend!

- Rick in Bellevue

Starting my second week at the Bellevue, WA office and I can say with complete honesty that I am happy to be here again.  The first week went really well.  Stayed very busy with the online educational materials and helping the admin department put together some renewal packets for a client as well as some COBRA packets.  I am very excited to start working with our sales team this week.  I eventually see myself working there so I hope that I can impress some people.  One week until I get to go home to Chicago so that should be fun.

- Rick in Bellevue

So far this week we have been busy planning the Las Vegas Sales conference that is coming up in September. This has been a lot of fun and very interesting because we get to interact with a wide variety of people and we get to help coordinate a very large event. Along with the event planning we have been attending multiple seminars, webcasts and lectures about different aspects of the business. We have been learning in depth about COBRA, the differences and significance of insurance certificates versus contracts and about our upcoming transition to BenefitPoint. All in all the week has been very informative and I feel like I am grasping the ins and outs of the business very well.

- Ashley