All in a Summer’s Day
Yes, ERG is open all summer. One of the biggest things we get asked this time of year is if we work in the summer, and if so, what exactly do we do all day?
It’s a fair question. Most of you see us out in schools during the year when kids are in classrooms. Some of you see us in workshops here and there, but our work primarily revolves around the school calendar. It’s logical to think ERG may slow down in the summer. And we do. But we also ramp up. We still work, it just looks different than it does during the academic year.
In order for the projects to kick off in the fall and for consultants to be in place for you across the year, most of the behind the scenes stuff has to happen in June, July and August.
Hope and Alice typically manage the projects. This means answering phone calls, returning emails, and helping our beloved customers think through their data and needs so they can have a project that not only fits their budget, but is also impactful for students. We will have as many conversations as it takes to get this right for our schools and school districts – and sometimes, it takes a lot of conversations.
Kaitlyn handles all the accounts receivable and payables, schedules social media, and follows up on anything and everything related to paperwork and contracts.
With technology, a lot of our work can be done from anywhere, so in the summer we like to take advantage of this. Working several hours in the morning, taking breaks and then working a few hours at night helps us stay on top of things, but also creates a balance that works for our work and our families.
In between our project development work, our office team meets often to collaborate, distribute tasks, and share areas of need. Sprinkled across days and weeks are key conversations with our consultants, our customers, and our special collaborators Laney and Sue. These conversations take place on the phone, by video, or in person.
We make marketing plans, research costs and relevant content, and reflect on what went well and what we need to adjust for the coming year. Being able to toss ideas around, digest new research, and problem solve together makes the work much more manageable.
The great thing about our work at ERG is that it is purposeful. Unlike other types of jobs, we don’t just log time in our office. Instead, we work until the project or task is complete and then move to the next one. Almost every day at ERG looks different than the day before, but in the end it all comes together.
As you are enjoying a slower pace this summer, you can rest assured that ERG Headquarters is churning away to get the necessary pieces in place for your next project!