The Intern Diaries – My experience of ‘The Savvy Values’
9 months in now! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working within the client service; I really feel that I’ve found my feet in my role. Looking back several months ago, I remember the Savvy values being explained to me, and it has been interesting to see how my colleagues at Savvy live and breathe them. The Savvy values are being reliable, informed, working in collaboration, passion, curiosity and ultimately just supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. For me, I have found I have grasped this range of values subconsciously. The first value I found was that account handlers here at Savvy are a reliable source to our clients- always delivering to a deadline and keeping them informed with what’s going on in the industry, as well as staying abreast of the latest technology, campaigns from client’s competitors and always having something to present!
Recently, I had a personal reflection with my mentor and line managers, where they asked me: ‘Is there anything else you would really like to do Steph?’ It was then I realised I could really make the most of my internship here, gain experience in each department and see what those values mean in other aspects of the business. I realise that in the daunting world of being a post-grad, these opportunities are very hard to come by. Within days, I had a prepared timetable of scheduled dates I would spend with each team.
Not only was I intrigued to see how everything in the agency seems to mould together, I was looking forward to developing a variety of skills. It all started in finance, somewhere I never imagined I would be. The week consisted of learning ‘the importance of timesheets’, understanding legal documents such as supplier agreements, and working with balance sheets and profit and loss accounts. It was here I found the value of collaboration really shone; it was pleasant to see the team working together to complete corporate information and seeing in the flesh organisation at its finest. As marketers, some people may think I’ve gone over ‘to the other side’, but it genuinely helped me to understand a business from a financial perspective. I have no doubts that my week-long experience will assist in my studies when I return to university.
Next stop… Creative. Despite realising what a horrific drawer I am, I loved my time in creative. The value of passion wasn’t to be missed! But why wouldn’t they be? What’s not to love about getting creative! Seeing the roots of an idea at such an early stage was really interesting as an account handler. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to come up with concepts, ideas and a sense of direction to a variety of projects Savvy was working on. We all collaborated as a team, with everyone playing a part in the concept development. I also assisted the copywriter in coming up with headlines and copy for a flood of ads she was working on; it never occurred to me before how much I actually enjoy writing.
Right now, I’m really enjoying working within the digital department. My experience in account handling has helped manage some of Savvy’s top digital campaigns. Another one of those Savvy values ‘curiosity’ is defiantly present in the digi team. Keeping up with the digital trends, there’s always something new to offer. From building apps to updating websites, briefing social content and managing designs through studio – it’s safe to say I’ve learnt a lot. I’ve seen how brands can apply digital strategy to their campaigns, how brand personality and positioning must replicate online, and most of all how to be an efficient digital account handler by analysing how the team works together. With new digital trends emerging as we head into 2014, it’s been interesting to discover new ways to answer a brief and amaze clients with fresh thinking.
After working my way through the business, working on different clients and executions I can only explain our main Savvy value to be Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! The ‘Savvy family’ collaborate and ensure that ideas always have that ‘je ne sais que’. Who knows where I will be the next time you hear from me, but I’ll be sure to keep you posted with the Intern Diaries.