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Give^2 - Interns giving back to their community
I went on a hike with a business owner that described her difficulties in finding temporary positions for interns. She stated that a request was made almost every day from different applicants, and the majority of her customers were based on referrals. I asked, "is there a way to increase the demand of referrals to your firm by using the supply of interns?" Just an idea, cause I love making up Ideas. Its called Give ^ 2 (Give Squared).
Basically, you have a group of interns that can do free work or conduct other services at non-profits. In return, the non-profits can sponsor your firm in campaigns and events. Thus, a gift is given twice - one to the intern, and one to the non-profit. The sponsorship can give the non-profit & community an inside/outside scoop of work performance, and your values.
These non-profits also support and consist of many individuals from every economic class and background. For example, when my mother and I went to a non-profit in Seattle. I was looking down the leadership hierarchy list - it included their name and background. Many of these individuals work primary jobs in small/large firms (Philips Healthcare, Microsoft, Adobe, Starbucks, and local businesses); thus, tapping into a pool that consist of many different businesses, and starting a network from one point of entry.
This plan gives many businesses an incentive, but it also helps non-profits elevate their costs focusing on their true goal - help/inspire/motivate the community.
I also offered to help the business owner implement the mechanics of this plan, but currently she is going through her own conflicts.
Peter Vo
Your speaking my language!! :-)
What if many groups in same structure compete against each other for the same deadline? Will this give the non-profits a higher quality product at the same time allowing students to learn the dynamics of competition among businesses?
It seems like you have great ideas yourself! =D
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Many organizations do have a person who oversees the volunteer or internship program, but I don't think one person solves either the training or supervision challenge.
James Zhang 30+
The other issue is that some interns actually need pay to sustain off of.
I think there needs to be a bigger incentive for both parties somehow
Peter Vo
Well, isn't it an incentive to gain that skill/experience than to gain nothing at all? It seems like many interns are willing to give their time freely for this trade off.
Isn't an incentive opposite of a gift?
I should of added to the idea that many of the applicants were requesting non-payable internships.
James Zhang 30+
Hmm...
Oh, I did just get a neat idea. What if there was some kind of cool program, where different interns from different fields (businessman, artist, industrial engineer, manager, etc.) were to be put together in a team and were tasked to create a project under some kind of deadline? And if they create a successful project, they can reap the benefits. The incentive for students would be: real-world experience, communication/working with others, chance to earn money, building networks and gaining life-time relationships with peers.
Another idea, this could be a government-sponsored program, and they can try and get a group of interns to find innovative ways to create a solution to some problems like economy, pollution, etc. Or this could be a university senior design, or this could be a program that a corporation or company can adopt and use a group of interns to help their projects out.
Wait a minute, this is pretty much exactly what your idea is lol
Good idea man :D
Peter Vo
Speaking my language!
What if many groups with an identical structure above compete for the same deadline? Will that give the non-profit a higher quality product at the same time allowing students to learn the dynamics of real business competition?
You have great ideas yourself James! =D
James Zhang 30+
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Peter Vo
Thanks Fritzie, your giving me more questions to ponder!
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Peter Vo
What if you have one reliable entrepreneurial intern/temp to supervise this plan? You teach him/her all areas of company processes required to make the plan run successfully. That person in turn coordinates and manages the groups of interns for non-profits.