RIDE WITH
BRIDGESTONE
I'm from Lake Arrowhead, CA and a senior at Southern Utah University. With an expected graduation date in April 2017. I will be graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Marketing and two minors in Finance and Management.
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I had a great time working with Bridgestone, and could not have gained this valuable experience without the teaching and learning from SUU. I have agreed to work with them full-time once I graduate. They are an outstanding company and I am honored to be a part of their team.
ABOUT ME
REFELECTIONS
At the end of this project I had many memories to reflect back on. I gained valuable knowledge of this industry and the automotive field. I learned the ins and outs of operating a business as well as, how to operate one of their many stores around the country. Upon completion of the internship, I had gained a great appreciation for everyone working in retail and customer service. It is a difficult job dealing with all sorts of people, day in and day out, but the experience you learn from doing it, is very valuable.
OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Bridgestone was founded by Shojiro Ishibashi and it is the number one tire manufacturer in the world. Bridgestone is a worldwide innovator in creating sustainable and ecof-friendly products. The company's mission is still much of the same as when it was first founded, "To serve society with superior quality".
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Not only is Bridgestone working to help their customers, but they are also striving to help every neighborhood in which they serve, with VISION 2020. VISION 2020 is a new objective for all of their retail stores. Their mission is to create trust and loyalty within every customer and every community that they serve.
Abstract
My proposal will be alongside with my internship through Bridgestone Tires. I worked alongside the store manager in Yucaipa, CA. Given this great opportunity, I learned many skills in the form of leadership and communication. The internship gave me vital “real-word” experience that many college students need in marketing/managing, these being, your sales approach and all around sales, Retail Operations, learning how the business operates, how the industry can change, and most importantly, I learned how to lead a Grass Root Sales Event. With the objective being, to reach out to your community for engagement and connect with both, new and existing customers. The internship was ten to twelve weeks during the summer. During those ten or so weeks, I traveled to Chicago for training, back to California where I actually worked, and also had the chance to go to Nashville, TN to see the Bridgestone Tires America headquarters and meet the higher management.
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Goals
For my EDGE Project, I completed an internship with Bridgestone Tires America. The goal with the internship was to create a successful Grass Root Sales Event in which, it brings increased revenues, consumer product knowledge, and create customer brand loyalty. Furthermore, the EDGE Project will give me real-world experience in management and sales.
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Objectives
The objectives for this project was to learn the ins and outs of the Bridgestone Corporation and to create a successful Grass Root Sales Event. As well as, gain managerial and marketing experience in the business field.
Leadership with Bridgestone
Drew Snyder
Lake Arrowhead, CA
Marketing
Leadership Engagement Center
While trying to figure out what I should do for my EDGE Project, I started to Google jobs in my field of study. A great aspect of Business, is that a degree in that field is so interchangeable. Everywhere you look, in some sort of shape or form, whether it is in Management, Science, Education, or Fine Arts, you will find experience in business, to help immensely. With that in mind, I came across an internship opportunity with Bridgestone Tires. I did not know much about this company at first, but the more research I did, the more excited I started to feel. It did not have everything I was looking for but, some is better than none.
The skills and majors Bridgestone was looking for included: Marketing, Management, Finance, Accounting, and Communications. They were giving opportunities to college students that felt they had the ability to not only lead a store, but manage one as well. This was a fast-paced program that gave students, over the course of the summer, to show their skills within their retail stores. It was 10 to 12 weeks depending on how well you performed with the opportunity to sign on full-time after graduation. On top of that was the fact that they were giving students the chance to run their very own Grass Roots Sales Event, in which you have the opportunity to reach new customers and serve your community.
The inspiration behind this project was really just for me to gain valuable knowledge in the real-world and apply what I had learned at SUU. I wanted to give myself an edge, when compared to other candidates because I had that "experience" so many employers are looking for. Furthermore, I wanted this internship to be in an industry that I was interested in. If you don't enjoy what you do, you are going to be miserable.
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This was not a typical run and get coffee or run errands for some superior type internship. This was hands-on and in your face real-world learning. One of the biggest things I learned was the fact, that communication is key. Being able to communicate, with not only customers but your teammates as well, makes retail go so much smoother.
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Some other challenges I encountered, was the scheduling issues with my personal life. This was a full-time job and you often worked 45+ hours per week. Plus, you rarely ever had stacked days off or consistent scheduling.
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Your EDGE project is not all about helping you either. For me, it was helping all my store teammates earn bonuses and compensation for their hard work. My store was understaffed for how large it was, so whenever I was able to get away from the "front-shop" I would go lend a hand to the technicians in the "rear-shop". Simple, things like lending a hand or even staying late and cleaning the store, can help your store teammates immensely.
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At the end of the internship, I was fortunate enough to have received a full-time offer from Bridgestone. I was able to learn the ins and outs of managing and operating one of their stores, and how this industry works. The automotive industry is constantly changing and evolving to accommodate consumer preferences. Plus, once you have experience with this type of work it is easily transferred to a different segment of the industry.
"No matter what you do in life, make sure you enjoy it, or it's going to be a long one"
- Anonymous
Rubber Up Before you Drive
Looking for a fun and well-paying job with full-time benefits? Are you interested in cars, trucks, or even just the automotive industry in general? If something above even slightly interests you, look no further. Currently, Bridgestone Tires is hiring college students who are currently enrolled in Bachelor Degree programs in the field of Management, Marketing, Finance, Communications, Accounting, and other business degrees. Their purpose for doing this? Trying to find qualified, hard working individuals that excel in leadership, customer service and people who can join and build with their team. Bridgestone is the world's largest tire manufacturer, and has business operations on every part of the globe. They are a company filled with success and they want to continue that success, with you! All you have to do is fill out an application on their online website, and contact an area representative.
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Bridgestone Tires has been a long-standing company for just over a century now. And they continue to help and serve with all the communities they are a part of. By joining their program a wide array of potential jobs that fit you open up. Maybe, Retail, Finance, Marketing, or many others are what interest you. Whatever it may be Bridgestone has a vast array of job openings all over the world.
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After joining this awesome company I was not only paid for all of my hard work, but I even received credit through my university. For my University (Southern Utah University), we have something called an EDGE project. EDGE is an acronym that stands for Education Designed to Give Experience. It is a required that you complete this project, in order for you to graduate. It not only has helped me in my search for real-world experience, but it has also helped tons of other students as well.
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If any of this interests you or you have any questions please feel free to contact me:
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Drew Snyder
(909) 222-2867
820 S. 56 W. Cedar City, UT 84720
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February 1st, 2017
Cedar City, UT
My Channel
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EDGE Bridgestone
