Description of Project
Project Description
The internship project challenged me to promote the new Sherwin-Williams e-Commerce database. The database, or mySW, gives contractors and painters easier access to features that will advance their business. These features include: planning jobs, purchasing products online 24/7, reference in-store purchase history, receive status updates on orders, check inventories of any store, easily pay invoices and view statements. Throughout the internship there were multiple exercises that furthered my ability to promote the mySW database.
Project Objectives
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Observe best practices / roadblocks while implementing the mySW database
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Create and implement different methods towards increasing / promoting mySW sales
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Influence fellow employees to utilize mySW database
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Gain better understanding of management’s responsibilities and the vital role they play regarding the store’s success
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Operate in the store while reflecting Sherwin-William’s Trademark Service
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Understand Human Resource Management and Financial Management tools provided by all Sherwin-Williams databases
Project Process (Below are some of the major exercises that enabled me to complete my internship project)
As I began this internship, I had a good amount of product knowledge as I had previously worked for Sherwin-Williams. Completing the Product Knowledge Activity greatly benefited me as it gave me further knowledge to utilize while assisting customers. Through assisting these customers and gaining their professional trust, I was more able to promote the mySW database through conversation. (see Product Knowledge Activity sheet in appendix)
In the early stages of the internship, I completed an Assistant Manager Interview and a Manager Interview. These interviews allowed me to better understand what my superiors were expecting of me. Additionally, I was able to learn more about their professional backgrounds and day-to-day responsibilities. In regard to my project, this gave me the professional insight as to who I was working with and what management expected me to gain through the internship program. (see Assistant Manager / Store Manager Interview in appendix)
Throughout the program, I had the benefit of completing two Rep Ride-A-Longs with different Sherwin-Williams sales representatives. Through these ride-a-longs I was able to learn of their career paths, learn more about the sales representative position, and understand vital points of the Sherwin-Williams sales process. In addition to these ride-a-longs giving me experience, they also gave me a unique perspective as to what contractors’ biggest concerns and points of emphasis are. Gaining this perspective enabled me to promote the mySW database even further, as I knew which features would solve customer’s common issues. (see Rep Ride-A-Long #1/#2 in appendix)
In the latter stages of the program, I completed a Large Volume Store Visit. This consisted of me spending a day at a store with a larger volume of sales and customers. In doing so, I gained even more perspective as to how a different manager goes about their everyday tasks. I was also able to ask the store manager how he was promoting the mySW tool and what he thought could improve sales through the database. After this store visit, I was able to bring back skills to my store that could be utilized in promoting the new e-commerce tool. (see Large Volume Store Visit in appendix)
Project Outcomes
As a result of the completion of these (and many more) exercises, I was able to sign up 36 contractor accounts within’ the database. These account creations yielded a vast amount of positive feedback regarding the features provided. In the time that I spent at my store through the internship, I was able to increase the e-commerce sales from $0/month to $1,200/month. These results were the product of an utmost effort from my fellow employees and I. Additionally, there were forms and fliers that I implemented throughout the program in an attempt to influence sign-ups/sales. At the conclusion of the internship, myself and two other representatives from my district were to give a presentation on our findings and results in front of district management. Below are samples of fliers/forms/cards that my store provided to our customers, along with the material that I presented.
