An Inside Look at My Internship Experience at Bookt.com
During my 10-week internship at Bookt.com, a cloud-based vacation rental platform, I gained hands-on experience in data management and client communications. I worked closely with the CTO, Ben Strum, to streamline the data uploading process using Excel macros and fostered relationships with clients through effective communication. I learned to navigate Instamanager and contributed to creating Instasites for property listings. This experience honed my technical skills and enhanced my professional development, preparing me for future endeavors in the tech industry.
An Inside Look at My Internship Experience at Bookt.com
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Presentation Transcript
Bookt Internship Michael Houck
What is Bookt.com? Vacation rentals Founded 2007 Cloud based Small team TripAdvisor, FlipKey, RentalGuardian, HomeAway Ambitious plans for growth Help property owners organize and communicate
Initial Contact Ben Strum, CTO Friend of a friend of the family Interview lunch
Hours Worked / Schedule 10 weeks (one set aside for spring break) Monday 9-5, Wednesday 9-2, Friday 9-5 21 per week 189 total
Goals of the Internship Become familiar with Instamanager Simplify data uploading process via VBA macros Ease workload for Ben & David Respond to client questions/concerns Develop relationship with ExtremeScrape.com
What is Instamanager? Cloud based Data input / storage Organization (i.e. calendar, etc.) Creates Instasites
Instamanager Training First, videos Sitting in with Mario Online training Worldwide Full circle at end of internship
Using Instamanager Ways to import data Ways to display data Creating an Instasite Searchable qualities (properties, amenities, etc.) Importing problems / solutions
Conference Calls Monday Goals Friday Weekly wrap-up Increased presence over time In charge of all imports
Working with Clients Desk.com Sorting inquiries and “bumping up” Answering phones Building rapport
Partnering with ExtremeScrape.com Data scraping company Potential for new business with targeted companies Making an impression
ExtremeScrape.com (cont.) Establish connection with Josh Communicate data format needed Understand ExtremeScrape’s interfaces Create Instasites for targeted potential clients
Visual Basic / Excel Work The data format problem 4main data suppliers Discussions with Rob
Visual Basic / Excel Work (cont.) Background in VBA Creating macros for Excel Working with Bobby Experience + new skill
Bookt’s Future Mobile app The “$1 switch” The right partners Global “dominance” Expansion just during few months
What I Learned “Hard” skills (data importing, macros, etc.) Leadership skills Professional dealings with clients Office decorum / fostering a positive environment
Concluding Thoughts Planning for the future My own company? Don’t need to be in Silicon Valley Questions?