Not all internships are dull and dry. As featured in Business Week, Matthew Zimmerman had an internship with marketing company Sinek Partners in New York in which he had to find a way to increase the daily revenue of a panhandler. The tools included a cardboard sign and a genious mind. Zimmerman was assigned the project on the last few weeks of his internship.

The concept of the experiment: Marketing products through pricing or product features alone results in only one time purchases. However, if a customer feels an emotional attachment to the product, there is a greater chance for repeat buying and loyalty.” Zimmenman discovered most panhandler’s street signs only establish THEIR current situation such as “Vietnam Vet, Homeless, Drug Addict, Unemployeed.” Zimmerman discovered these signs were ineffective because they failed to create an emotional connection with the potential street donater. Zimmerman changed the sign to “Next time you give, think of me” in order to establish a connection with the consumer (or donater in this case). The consumer would therefore have that feeling of appreciation for their own ‘giving’ that day.