Fun

Integrity + Teamwork + Performance + Innovation + Fun

The above words comprise Dwellworks' core values. Yes, they might be written on a giant wall in the office, and yes, they might be talked about once or twice (or more). But Dwellworks' associates don't just plaster those five words on a wall superficially; rather, Dwellworks culture lives its values. 

This includes the often underrated value of fun.

To explain how I have had fun during this internship, we must first look at the definition of fun (which is conveniently spelled out on the wall right behind me).

Fun (adj.) 1. providing entertainment, amusement, or enjoyment <a fun party> <a fun person to be with> 2. full of fun: pleasant <have a fun time>

Based on the above definition, coupled with my experience at Dwellworks, I've come to one very simple conclusion:

Fun isn't just the big events; it's all the little things in-between. 

It's staying 20 minutes late after a meeting to engage in light-hearted conversation.
It's trying Thai and Vietnamese restaurants for the first time with colleagues. 
It's laughing with a coworker about something trivial.
It's indulging in 3-pm hot chocolate or watermelon.
It's talking about your upcoming weekend.
It's happiness that comes easily.
It's smiling because it's natural.

-Kaitlyn

Project Takeaways

Today was the day. Ten weeks of research, meetings, phone conversations, and PowerPoint-making culminated today, taking the form of one awesome presentation.

Over the past ten weeks or so, I've worked with fellow Dwellworks interns - five from Cleveland, Ohio; one from Ottawa, Canada; and one from Truro, England - on a project focusing on Hofstede's cultural dimensions in the countries in which we currently operate. It was a mind-opening experience, during which time I learned both valuable information related to cultural relativism and valuable skills related to what I'd like to call the "long distance business relationship."

It is sometimes hard to put into practice the information we read or are presented. However, in my role at Dwellworks, I have had several opportunities to apply what I've learned about cultural relatively - both generally and specifically. For example, we learned during the course of our project that many Latin and Central American countries prefer to nurture relationships before jumping right into business discussion. This is something I have taken into account when handling phone calls and emails with associates from our Mexico and Costa Rica offices, during which I make a conscious effort to open with engaging and genuine small talk. 

Aside from the fruits of some extensive research, I have also experienced long-distance business meetings in practical application. Phone meetings definitely have their challenges. The sound is sometimes muffled by the phone, and the lack of visual cues more-often-than-not leads to people unintentionally talking over each other, followed by an awkward pause while both retreat and then accidentally talk over each other again. Given that there were six interns in the Cleveland office, we had to be ever conscious of being considerate of Shane in Canada and Sophie in the UK; we had to make sure that we spoke loudly and clearly into the microphone and that we didn't speak over each other or engage in any side conversation. I also personally made a conscious effort to ask Shane and Sophie for their opinions, since I imagine it would be hard for them to chime in when members in the Cleveland office could so easily speak one after another. For an insightful look into what it is like on the other side of the phone, check out Sophie's blog post "Conference Dimensions." 

After ten weeks, two practice presentations, and many re-accommodations and adaptations, our presentation was delivered today in what I believe to have been a success. Members of our audience expressed praise, and we were very gracious that they all came to support us - although I was not the least bit surprised, given the company's supportive and encouraging culture.

While I am (surprisingly) sad that my time spent with my teammates has come to a close, I have taken away valuable insight, knowledge, and skills that I know will serve me in my future endeavors, both inside the business world and out. For that, I am pensive and grateful.

-Kaitlyn

Take me out to the ball game

     I recently won a pair of Detroit Tigers tickets in the billing raffle, and as you can see above, the seats were pretty awesome. I had assisted with closing and billing files in the last few weeks of June, but I think the fact that they included us interns in the raffle attests to the inclusive culture here at Dwellworks. I am very grateful for the culture of respect and teamwork here at Dwellworks. The friendly work atmosphere is directly responsible for my productivity as in intern, and despite the early mornings, my colleagues keep me coming back every day ready to work.

      Speaking of my colleagues, special thanks to Elizabeth Smith in Detroit because without her I would not have made it to this particular Tigers game. As I raced out of the office like it was the last day of school, I absent mindedly left the two tickets pinned to the wall of my cubicle. Elizabeth spotted them as she was leaving for the evening, tracked me down, and went out of her way to drop them off on her way home. We were late for the game, but were ultimately treated to a 14-5 Tigers victory over the Dodgers. I owe you one Elizabeth!

Ben Hardin, Destination Services Intern - Detroit
    

Experiencing Dwellworks Culture - Ana

When I think of the most unique trait that Dwellworks has, I would say fun. Fun is not usually a company goal or characteristic. Though I value the unique atmosphere of fun at Dwellworks, like I am sure many others do,  I truly think where Dwellworks shines, is when everyone must pull together to get something finished and out the door. This past week the marketing team has been on overload, cranking out rush order city guides. Most companies, as they get larger, get bogged down in the hierarchy and sheer number of people involved to complete a task. At Dwellworks, we are still just small enough where when it’s needed, we all stop our day to day tasks and jump in to help. Sometimes doing something as simple as count 200 chap sticks can help save enough time to get something out the door in time. I feel like teamwork is sometimes overlooked as one of Dwellwork’s main qualities. I feel like it plays a larger role in the day to day tasks here than anyone realizes. Without teamwork Dwellworks would not be as successful. Sometimes remember everyone is part of the big picture is more important than any individual task and I saw that in the marketing department this past week. Though our department is small, we are just as much a part of Dwellworks teamwork and I see that quality here every day. 

Mobile Walkthrough App

Over the course of the internship, I have helped my department with a lot of different projects. I think the most beneficial to the property managemtn department and most interesting project for me was working on the Mobile Walkthrough App. The app was created by an employee in the IT department and it is the first app released by Dwellworks. The app is to help field agents with their walkthrough reports and photos. Once they are sent in, they are put into a PDF file and sent to the PM and eventually the homeowner.

Before the app, field agents had to do the report by hand and scan or fax it into to us. Along with the report, there needed to be at least 25 photos taken and signatures. It sounds pretty simple, but combing them together is very time consuming. Some field agents wouldn’t sign the report, or date stamp the photos so we had to track them down to obtain this info before processing it. This app is going to eliminate all of the unnecessary work and make it easier for everyone.

I am happy to announce that the app has been completed and is in the testing phase right now with the field agents. I can’t wait to see the future of this app!

-Amber

Why Dwellworks?

I have learned more about how a business operates in the last ten weeks than I have throughout my entire academic career. I am sure this can be said for most people who conduct internships, but here are some of the things I thought were unique about it, or things Dwellworks did not necessarily have to do as part of my internship but can be incredibly helpful to my career endeavors throughout my life.

For starters, just in this last week, HR facilitated a workshop on resume writing, and interviews. This entailed being education on security of online profiles, where and how to apply for jobs based on my explicit career goals, how to maintain a professional appearance to potential employers, not just physically in person but over email and phone conversations as well. As a follow up to this workshop, the HR department is reviewing my resume, helping me set up my Linkedin profile, and conducting a mock interview with a member of senior management in order to better prepare myself for future interviews. Not to mention, my internship leader is a great supporting force to making sure I get the most experience out of these twelve weeks by giving me specific feedback in monthly evaluations.

I have learned an amazing bit of information about not only how a company works but also how I fit into the company. I have discovered when one begins their professional career; they create a professional identity. Similar to how others form opinions about you based on your interactions with them and defines the relationship in question. Only in business, the relationships with co workers, clients, and management is based on how one handles his/herself in a professional setting. Everyone has different goals and live their lives differently.  Just as I have molded the person I am today, I must take the appropriate steps to be the professional I want to be, and this internship experience has helped me learn how to do this.

My specific internship is great but the extra things Dwellworks offers along with the people are what really add value. These are a few of many reasons I would recommend this internship to a classmate in the future. 

Nick Ferrara

Research Intern

Why I would Recommend Dwellworks to others…

I think my main reason to recommend Dwellworks is because of the unique culture that they have. For most interns, even if you work in a small company, you are still just an extra pair of hands. Most tasks are basic and you don’t really get too involved in the more complex processes of the company. At Dwellworks, they have really taken their time to incorporate the interns they hire and offer us a real chance to gain an understanding of what working a typical 9-5 job is like. You learn the ups and downs of a business, have a real investment in your work, and learn to cope with problems. I have been really lucky in my work experience and after working for a company that I loved; I was thrilled to find that Dwellworks was exactly what I hoped for. You get to learn and understand the business, but you also get to know the people. The people are what make Dwellworks. The interaction with coworkers, other interns, and managers gives the internship flavor as well providing us with a lot more to learn. The experience can be eyeopening, but it is balanced well and I think will make transitioning into the work force easier as I start looking for job and enter my last semester of college.