"In a
successful organization, no detail is too small to escape close
attention," says Lou Holtz, former college football coach. As the only
Coach in NCAA history to ever lead six different programs to bowl games and the
only coach to ever guide four different programs to final top 20 rankings,
Holtz knows a thing or two about success. Not only do his words ring true for
the sport of football, they surprisingly apply to the world of PR.
Through my
experience as an intern this summer at C. Pharr, I have redefined my
understanding of "attention to detail." Due to the importance C.
Pharr places on the specific needs of each client, I quickly realized that even
the smallest details truly matter.
Although I considered
myself someone with an eye for detail, the precise manner in which C. Pharr
dealt with each task inspired me to adapt to a higher caliber of service. My
internship experience was ideal because of the consistent education I received
and the level of accountability. Rather than simply getting a glimpse of what
public relations entails, the team at C. Pharr allowed me to truly dive into
their world of day-to-day activity.
My time was spent
on a variety of tasks such as social media planning, writing press releases,
researching and participating in client relations, just to name a few. Despite
the variety of tasks I delved into, the common theme throughout the summer was
the importance of detail.
In the fast-paced
working world, often small duties such as updating records, staying organized
and tracking are overlooked but these are often the key to success. I am
grateful for the willingness of the team at C. Pharr to spend time helping me
master the basic aspects of public relations. Now I have a stronger foundation
and grasp of the PR industry, which will help as I advance in my studies and
work on bigger projects after I land my first job.
Not everyone is a
detail-oriented person, and many of us need to consciously remind ourselves to
adhere to the details of the present before getting lost in future schemes and
plans.
Here are a few
tips that helped me keep the details in check:
1. Understand the
"why" behind each task. Even small daily actions build into a bigger
picture. Reminding yourself of the importance of each building block along the
way can help to maintain motivation.
2. Keep a
checklist and follow it. One of my favorite books, Switch, states, "How can something so simple be so powerful? Checklists
educate people about what’s best, showing them the ironclad right way to do
something. "
3. Take a step
back. Scheduling personal check points to pause, take a break and look at work
with fresh eyes is important for avoiding small mistakes.
Although the
semester flew by, my experience at C. Pharr has formed a lasting impression as
an example of how a successful company works from the inside out. Thanks to the
time and energy poured into my experience from others, I now approach the
public relations world with a strong foundation and a lifelong lesson of
understanding how excellence truly lies in the details.
- This blog was contributed by Taylor Foster. www.linkedin.com/pub/taylor-foster/45/477/43/
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