Interview with a manager free essay sample

I met for coffee with Gretchen Knipfel, Regional Manager of Marketing and Sales at Our House Senior Living. Our House provides assisted care, memory care and senior apartments in a residential setting where residents are able to maintain relationships and stay active in their community. Our House has been a primary living resource in Wisconsin and Minnesota for over 15 years. Gretchen’s territory provides care for 165 residents. She has been employed for the company for over 3 years. Compassionate, determined, well spoken and assertive are words that best describe Gretchen. Gretchen is 53 years old, a mother of 2 daughters, belongs to the local Curling Club, is an avid golfer and enjoys sailing. She graduated from UW Stout with a Bachelor’s Degree in Retail Marketing. Her education has given her opportunities in varied careers. Her first job out of college was an Assistant Buyer in retail in Minneapolis. As the market began to fluctuate retail was not at the premium. We will write a custom essay sample on Interview with a manager or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She then chose a different career path in real estate. Real estate became very lucrative so she moved back to Wisconsin to continue a career in Land Development Sales for recreation and retirement. About 4 years later she landed a job as the Executive Director in community development for the City of Ripon Chamber of Commerce. Shortly after her employment with the City of Ripon she was married and later had two daughters. She began working in Real Estate and Banking in rural Wisconsin for several as her schedule was more flexible and less demanding. Her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and eventually became a patient at a local assisted living facility and was later admitted to a CBRF with Hospice care facility. Within 30 days of admission Elaine had passed away. Life experience took Gretchen to a new found passion to educate families about the options for their loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Previous experience in marketing and sales tethered her compassion for families and seniors with Alzheimer’s. An assisted living conglomerate contacted Gretchen about management potential in her hometown for a couple of newly acquired assisted living facilities. And that is what brought her to Our House. A few interview questions: 1. What is the mission of Our House? What role do you play in it? Gretchen: Our House refers to the mission as the â€Å"Promise†, and it’s as follows: We are passionately committed to making a difference in the lives of the residents and families we serve. We provide the highest quality care and excellent services. While promoting social interaction of seniors in a nurturing Home-Like Environment. Gretchen: What role do I play? I mentor the community directors and foster partnership and care to residents and their families. 2. Describe a typical work day and or work week. Gretchen: My days involve networking with partners in care. Visiting community hospitals and competitors with different levels of care. RCAC can only do limited care and patients need alternative placements. 3. How do you view your division? Gretchen: I view our division as the saviors of compromised seniors and a refuge for families struggling with healthcare requirements. 4. Describe your Management style. Gretchen: I am in a mentoring role not a dictorial position. In mentoring I find that communication is the key between partners in care and families. All levels of family and care providers need to be open and honest to foster the most enriching and engaging environment that a senior can expect. 5. Which skills are necessary to be a manager? Gretchen: Compassion, honesty and being open-minded. 6. What are your strengths in your current position? Gretchen: Compassion, honesty and being open-minded. 7. What are your weaknesses in your current position? Gretchen: Compassion with people that I’m mentoring and personal and emotional attachments to individuals and their families in need of care, which is also my greatest strength. 8. What is the biggest obstacle you face in your position? Gretchen: The biggest obstacle I face in my position is the distance of travel to many of the houses and being unable to commit after hours. 9. How many employees do you oversea? Gretchen: I have 8 directors that answer to me. 10. How do you motivate your employees? Hospice employees experience a wide range of powerful emotions between the physical demand and the reality of loss and death. I believe one of the bigger rewards in this type of work really comes from within. A lot of times after a loss of a resident I reward staff with a day off for reflecting on personal and professional growth.