The L.A. office is not a quiet office. It could be because my cubicle is located next to the claims agents, mail room, copy machines, and close to the mini kitchen. The atmosphere is a business professional environment, but lots of fun goes on in the office. There are pranks going on left and right and about all things. People print off pictures and tape them next to employee’s name tags saying that they look alike. That’s just an example…but there are many others going on as well.

On more of a serious side…the office environment is also very friendly and helping. There has been times where I have gone to the same person multiple times and asked tons of questions on a certain project and they never seem to be frustrated. Everyone is willing to help and that has helped me learn much faster.

I thought the mood of the office was going to be more serious and have less joking. I didn’t understand the Gallagher culture so I thought this company would be like any other…a few jokes here and there and then work work work. What I have realized is that there is plenty of work to get done, but everyone is willing to help and for the most part is light hearted.

- Mike

This week like many future weeks to come looks very busy. The great thing about this week is that the 4th of July is Friday and we ALL have a 3 day weekend! Until that 3 day weekend there is a lot of work that needs to get done.

So far I have been assigned to projects and tasks with different groups in the office. I was assigned with the Public Storage and Telmar groups and I’m doing whatever I can to help both teams. So far I have attended meetings and have been trying to get caught on up on the past and current information about the clients. This week we are meeting with Public Storage to go over a few things and update them on their renewal. I am looking forward to this meeting because I feel that I understand what’s going on with this account.

I also was assigned to the Private Equity niche here in the office. Currently I have been calling other AJG offices and asking other members of the Private Equity niche to answer a few questions so that I can help put together a survey and see how much potential we have throughout the US.

This week Evan and I volunteered to speak in the office “Cheers” meeting. Cheers is a public speaking group that ranges from interns to the top producers in the office. I am speaking for 5-7 minutes about why to be an intern for Gallagher. I am excited for this opportunity and want to nail the speech!

One last project that all of us LA interns have been assigned is to do research and put together information for the Wellness Programs that company’s are implementing. We are trying to find facts and numbers to show the ROI (return on investment) for the companies that have been using them. I hope that the numbers show how much it pays off for these companies to have the programs because it also is encourage corporate America to stay healthy. 

Things in the future…

I can only tell you about the things that I know that are ahead of us. We are just beginning to learn how to call prospects on the phone (aka cold calling). This is something that you need to have a positive and competitive attitude towards. We also are going to add on a carrier commission audit project which we will be informed about tomorrow (Tuesday). Every intern in the office will have a day dedicated to shadowing the branch manager Bill Urick. This will be a great opportunity for us to see how things are ran from the top in our office. And that’s what I know about for what I have in store for the future. 

-Mike