I completely agree…if finishing four years of university doesn’t show dedication, I’m not sure what does! And that is probably a big reason why a lot of companies may first look to see if you’ve gotten a degree because above all else it really shows what hard work and determination can get you.

It’s definitely going to be an adjustment not seeing you and everyone every day. But I can’t wait to hear how your internship turns out!

I’ve always thought the best part of getting a university degree is the fact that we can prove we were driven and dedicated to completing one thing for four years. I mean really, don’t you think that’s impressive? : )

I majored in communications. But, I don’t think I was any better off than you or the others in our class that majored in something else. I think we all pretty much started out on an even playing field and grew in various directions.

Blah, blah, blah… This is cheesy. Sorry! Haha. But yeah, I am going to miss seeing you every day : (

Oh and to respond to your P.S – Tim Hortons has amazing coffee; it’s addictive! Or maybe the brand is addictive, I don’t know!

Marc: I wouldn’t worry about the sustainability factor simply because Country Style only gave away free coffee from March 3 to March 9. I’d definitely be worried if they tried to pull this thing off for the entire time Tim Hortons does Roll up the Rim because there would definitely be issues with that.

I think what they were trying to do was entice people to come try their coffee. It could very well be good coffee but nobody will know that if they don’t try it. But like I said, I love Tim Hortons and would find it difficult to be persuaded to give it up completely for a competitor. But I’m not against trying!

I agree with you. Good on Country Style for thinking outside the box and trying to get noticed during Tim Hortons hugely successful campaign. Coffee Time knows that they can’t compete with Tim Hortons during their ‘Roll Up The Rim’ campaign, unless they give away free product.

The only thing I would be worried about if I were Country Style is the sustainability of their counter-campaign. Firstly, how long can Country Style afford to give away free coffee for? And secondly, are they really changing peoples behaviours? Their coffee is going to have to be pretty good to get people to switch from Timmy’s to Country Style after just one cup. I would bet that as soon as ‘Roll Up The Rim’ was over, so to would Country Styles inflation in customers.

I think Country Style was pretty smart in its strategy. The company took advantage of an existing market and great idea, and went somewhere new with it. Country Style didn’t launch its own roll up the rim-type initiative, but created its own twist. Not only that, it embraced new media promotions, which–let’s face it–is rarely done.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the whole story. And, I think it was necessary because of the company’s re-branding. I’m interested to see how things will continue to pan out for Country Style.

P.S. Tim Hortons coffee is really bad! : )

Besides the fact that that is something I need to work on before beginng work, I think it really depends on the situation. It is usually better to think about things for awhile to weigh all the possible options before making a decision.

However, sometimes, especially in a crisis, we are not always given this luxury. But this is a time when I think that rapid cognition is good because your gut instinct and emotions will be what you notice first. This can be helpful in terms of putting yourself in your audience’s shoes because they are likely feeling the same way. What would you want to know if you were them? Then hopefully you can act accordingly.

I think this is part of the reason why I like public relations, you don’t have to be as emotionally detached as other business people, but you still have to use your analytical brain to solve problems and create ideas. Lucky us!

I agree whole heartedly when you discuss finding the right “fit” between the employer and future employee. As an employer, you are not specifically looking for the smartest person, but the person who best portrays the attributes desired by your company. A person who will not only “fit” the job, but integrate and gel into the corporate culture. The only way to ensure this is a semi structured interview by the employer.

You, as someone who is interested in the job, must also evaluate the company to ensure that it is the right “fit” for you. Unless the employer can read your mind and answer every question or query you have, you’re going to have to probe the employer and ask the questions which are most important to you. If that requires one to two questions, or ten to twelve, then so be it. You are there to ensure the job is what you want; the same way the employer is there to ensure you are what they want.

What is most important to you? Salary? Benefits? Culture? Workload? Vacation Time? Travel? Overtime? Advancement? Out of country job opportunities? Whatever it may be, I firmly believe you should never leave an interview with lingering questions. After all, you’ve spent the time to dazzle the employer, making yourself into the attractive candidate that you are. Now ask questions until your hearts content. Give the employer a chance to dazzle you. Leave that interview knowing you want nothing more then to start (and possibly finish) your career with that company. Chances are, if an employer is turned off by a candidate’s thoroughness, then the company and candidate don’t “fit” together anyways.

There will always be job opportunities, so why not do everything possible to ensure you choose the one that is right for you?

I say ask away.

I look forward to reading what else you have to say! : )