iMADdu (I make a difference, do you?) Inc.

Making a Difference in Marketing and Veganism…Barbara Jun

imadduorg — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:44:50 +0000

On Friday, I was talking to the associate at a chocolate company. She was telling me how marketing and advertising works at her business. I thought the way marketing works in general really applied to making a difference. For each target audience, she said the team really tries to hone in on what each audience likes and what their values are in order to create a plan that will hopefully create a high return on profit. I think this idea relates to making a difference on multiple levels.

To make a difference on a more personal level with a specific person, I think you need to really understand his or her values, or at least have a general idea of who that person is. I realized how often people do not do this very crucial gesture after my conversation. I’m more cognizant of the words I say because I genuinely want to make a difference. Everything I say to convince people or to at least allow them to be more open minded about my values is sort of like marketing because I am selling them an idea. Now when people ask me why I am vegan, I always ask them first, what do you think veganism consist of to get a better idea of how I should introduce why I chose this route and have a better chance of people respecting my decision.

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Talk About THE Future…Barbara Jun

imadduorg — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:03:15 +0000

One of the more impactful, but easiest ways that I think anyone can make a difference is to talk to someone who is younger about their future. This does not mean a serious five hour conversation or anything, it can simply be a ten fifteen minute conversation over coffee. I honestly wish that I had asked an upper classmen about how they ended up choosing what they are pursuing in college or even why they are going to the college that they are going to. I honestly never really thought to ask for guidance, not that I was stubborn and thought I knew everything, but it never crossed my mind as to how valuable their experiences and advise might be.

If I could choose again, I probably might not have gone to University of Pennsylvania. I am in no way saying I do not like the school, but I feel that maybe there might be a school that would be more fitting for my personality and what I want to do with my life. Many people at my school seem like they want to work for large companies and corporations or go to law and medicine. Right now, I do not know if that is the path for me, but since so many large companies come to Penn, I feel like I might have to go that road and it will make my parents happy.

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Admiring Phil Knight…Brittany Marquez

imadduorg — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:52:24 +0000

I admire Phil Knight, the CEO of Nike. He made a business plan and started selling shoes out of the trunk of his car at track meets across the Pacific Northwest back in the 1960’s. He didn’t love the “swoosh” logo at first, but it is now one of the most recognized logos ever.

As of 2011, he now has a net worth of $14.4 billion and is the 47^th richest person in the world. It goes to show you that you never know what can happen if you work hard.

I’m sure no one thought that he would be this successful when he was just selling shoes in a parking lot, with his car serving as the store front.

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Advice for Apprentice Recruitment…Brittany Marquez

imadduorg — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:17:10 +0000

My advice is solely to be yourself. If you are yourself and you show that loud and clear to Mona and/or any other staff, if you are the right person, they will pick you. If you try to be someone you’re not, it will come off in a bad way and then you will be stuck doing something that maybe you aren’t meant to do.

You should also do your research before applying and coming in to talk. You should look up iMADdu, see who we are, what we do, and who we do it for so that you have some knowledge to back up your thoughts when speaking. You don’t want to be caught in an awkward situation just because you don’t know exactly what iMADdu does. Lastly, I would say just relax.

Let who you are shine through, and again, if you are the right person to be an apprentice, Mona and the staff will see that.

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Making a Difference State of Mind…Brittany Marquez

imadduorg — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 20:15:21 +0000

The way I go about ensuring I make a difference each week is keeping it on the forefront of my mind. Like anything, when you forget something, put it at the bottom of your list, or in the “back of your head,” you tend not to accomplish what you set out to do. It has to be a constant thought in order to make a difference.

Especially with having a daughter, I want to make a difference in her life. I look at and talk to her every day and that is a constant little motivating factor that if she sees her mom striving to make things different, that maybe she can do the same, and that one day, things will be different. The way to get there is little by little making small differences.

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Confidence in Writing…Brittany Marquez

imadduorg — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 19:54:06 +0000

As a TEM (Tourism and Events Management) major at George Mason University, we do not do a ton of writing in long form; it is mainly documents, forms, resumes, etc… Since working with iMADdu, I have gained experience creating blog posts and articles, critiquing other people’s writing, and summarizing research that I have been completing. These experience have really helped me because a lot these tasks are not always in my comfort level. To write about something you may be a little uncomfortable with helps you grow. I feel more confident in my writing skills since starting at iMADdu which I know will come in handy in the workforce.

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Reflections on an Article on Yale…Barbara Jun

imadduorg — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:20:59 +0000

I recently read an article about Yale undergraduates. My friend sent it to me because she saw that this article pertained to me. It was basically about liberal minded people who wanted to go into non-profits, local businesses, or companies that make a difference internationally or nationally that is not concentrated in finance or consulting or have the mindset of making things to become rich. It was an eye opener.

To my understanding, Yale students have academic flexibility and freedom and go to one of the most liberal colleges that really pushes students to pursue what they want to do in the future instead of just going into corporate America to make money. However, many people who were super passionate about making a difference end up going to corporate America instead of following their passions and making a difference on a more humanitarian level because of the money or because it seems like the next logical step in their lives.

A student expressed in the article that she thought that going into corporate America as a consultant would give her skills to help non-profits later on after she made enough money. However, she realized that the best way to help a non-profit is to actually work for one because being a lower level consultant or investment banker consists of endless hours in front of the computer working on Excel spreadsheets and power points. This honestly was an eye opener for me because I still have not really decided my future and what I would like to do to make decisions that would make the most difference in my opinion.

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Be Useful…Yara El Mowafy

imadduorg — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 18:59:51 +0000

At my previous job I handled branding and marketing projects for a small company. As a senior in High School I had no credentials that made me fit for that job… but I did have an internship experience!

I can’t stress enough how important it is for striving students to apply themselves in internships/apprenticeships/mentorships before entering the work force. Not only do students gain great experiences and knowledge but they also gain credentials that stand out to employers that seek younger employees.

If I hadn’t applied myself I wouldn’t have had the incredible opportunity to have a corporate job at the age of 17. I’m lucky to be enrolled at iMADdu where I am given the chance to grow even more as a future entrepreneur. I’m not doing clerical work, but instead am truly applying and challenging myself in different aspects of the business world.

Programs such as iMADdu and other mentorships have become so essential that they’re now a requirement for many undergraduate and graduate majors. So why students shouldn’t make a difference in their lives and start applying?

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Technology Skills to Success at iMADdu…Brittany Marquez

imadduorg — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:57:26 +0000

I think in order to be a successful apprentice at iMADdu, you need to possess above average technology skills. You need to able to work the Smartsheet a lot. For example, I opened up SmartSheet for my mom who has below average technology skills and she was completely stumped. She had no idea where to click, how to navigate or what to do. Also, some topics that are to be researched can be a stretch from your comfort level so you need to know how to navigate the internet very well and to work around different issues to get answers to questions.

Finally, you also need to know how to do Excel spreadsheets, which for many, are used in high school and general education classes in college, but sometimes not much after that. You need to be up to date on all the changes and how to navigate around Excel. All in all, you definitely need to have sustainable knowledge of technology in order to succeed at iMADdu.

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The iMADdu Choice…Brittany Marquez

imadduorg — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:50:29 +0000

I chose iMADdu for a number of reasons. The job description of being able to do a lot of stuff that entrepreneurs do was very enticing. I thought it would be a great way to expand my skills. Mona and her team also offer a lot of flexibility. I am able to work completely remotely, which when having a child, is extremely helpful. I know a lot of other people would appreciate being able to do their apprenticeship remotely as well. On top of that, after my first interview, the activities I was asked to do and hearing about what iMADdu really does, actually made a difference in my day! It was so different than anything I experienced and made me want to know more. I am so glad I did, because this apprenticeship has really helped me out in so many areas of my life and really helped me build my resume thus far.

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