Chris: 0:07
Looking for interesting business and patient success stories, our Alphanumeric podcast Make Your Mark is all about the ways our company partners, customers, patients, and services navigate the complicated healthcare landscape. Join me, your host, Chris Spohr, senior director of marketing at Alphanumeric to hear inspiring stories directly from patients and their caregivers, learn valuable insights from subject matter experts. And hear from some of the brightest on what patient care looks like now, and will into the future. Listen now and be inspired to make your mark Hello and welcome to this episode of make your mark an Alphanumeric podcast. Joining us today is Samantha Saenz, an in intern here at Alphanumeric and resident Gen Z. Sam is going into her third year at the University of Alabama, where she is majoring in both marketing and public relations. In this episode, we wanted to check in with Sam on her internship, and see how she is doing, and also tap into her knowledge as a gen Z, to gain some insights on where she sees communications today and tomorrow when it relates to her generation. Welcome Sam.


Sam: 1:24
Thanks for having me. Um, yeah, so my name's Samantha Saenz. Um, I'm from Apex, North Carolina, and I'm currently a student at the University of Alabama. Um, I'm actually a dual degree student, so I'm getting a degree in marketing and I'm also getting one in public relations and my minor is sales. So yeah, I'm really excited to be here today. And. I've really, really enjoyed my time here at Alphanumeric this summer. So I'm excited to be back as a marketing intern this year.


Chris: 1:56
So Sam, number one. We really enjoyed having you here this summer. Um, and it's hard to believe that you're actually in your last week already. Um, and, uh, it was a, it was a very quick month. Um, but, um, overall, tell us about your experience here at Alphanumeric.


Sam: 2:13
Um, so my experience at Alphanumeric has been very different, I would say than my experience last year. Uh, last year I didn't get to come in person except one time. So it's definitely been a lot more of a corporate experience for me this summer. I've just gotten to actually be in the office. I have my own little station, have everything set up there and I get to actually see people face to face, which is pretty cool. Um, I mean, obviously I'm getting to see people on zoom last summer too, but it's just been much more of a corporate experience is what I would go with for, um, me this summer. but yeah.


Chris: 2:51
Yeah. And it it's it's I agree with you. It's a, it's a different feel when you're, I mean, it's great that we can connect to people through zoom, through teams, stuff like that, but it's not the same experience sitting in the same room with somebody and, and feeling the energy of, of your teammates overall. So I agree with you a hundred percent. Um, so, you know, obviously it was very different this year. You got to see a different side of, of Alphanumeric last year, um, than you are seeing this year. Um, and what were some of the things that you really wanted to learn during your time here at Alphanumeric? Um, and were we able to provide you with an opportunity to start building your skills in these area?


Sam: 3:31
So I honestly was just open to learning anything. Um, I just, I knew that going into this was gonna be a great experience for me. And I just wanted to have the opportunity to help you guys out a little bit, maybe, um, with some of my generation's, you know, insight. And so it's been really awesome for me just to get my hands in a bunch of different areas. You guys have given me the opportunity to do that. Um, but going into it, what I wanted to learn was really just anything that you were willing to give me. Um, I, I haven't had as much corporate experience, I guess, with marketing yet because I'm going into my junior year. So I haven't specifically done any of those upper division courses yet. Um, but I'm really excited to go into those this year now because I have this basis experience now and I've, um, gotten to learn a lot of terminology and just, you know, work on a lot of different projects that have really opened my eyes to different, um, marketing tools and things that I'm just gonna be working on the next few years. So thank you guys for that.


Chris: 4:36
Oh no, we love having you on board. And um, I mean, we'll get into the generational discussion here in just a few, um, because I think it's such an important topic and obviously you wrote a blog for us recently on, uh, on your generation, um, and communications in general and, and that's definitely something we'll we'll touch on here soon. But, like I said, we would, we would love ultimately to have you back here at Alphanumeric. Um, and one of the things I'm excited to see, um, if everything works out perfectly, um, is that the development and the growth that you'll see throughout your year, your junior year, um, and really for, from that, is, are there any areas that, you know, as we kind of talk about potentially 2023, which is crazy to think about are there areas that you are really passionate about areas that you would love from a marketing standpoint, that you would love to kind of continue to grow in or to learn about, um, that we can help support you with?


Sam: 5:33
Um, yeah, so some of the stuff I've really enjoyed, I guess I figured this out, through doing this internship, um, this summer through a little bit of last summer and just in general, knowing myself, I guess, um, I really enjoy the analytics side of things. So doing the social media analytics and being able to say, oh,"okay, this engagement is doing well because of this. Um, what can we do to make it better over here if this area is not doing as well", or, um, I got the opportunity to actually look at some of the numbers with, um, like key search words that you guys are really, um, trying to hit on Google and just, um, on the internet and looking at those, I was able to look at some of the numbers and see, okay, like this is doing really, really well. This may be not doing so well, what can we do to improve? And I really find that interesting. And, um, we've talked before about how you said it's almost like a puzzle and, um, being able to find those pieces and be like, okay, so if maybe we put this here, this will help this area to do, do better. Like I just really find that type of thing interesting.


Chris: 6:42
No, and I mean, that's, that's a great point because, um, a lot of what we do, um, and talking with different team members from a marketing standpoint, We're judging success is, uh, is, is such a hard term in itself. Um, you know, obviously our ultimate goal from a marketing standpoint is to generate new leads and new opportunities for Alphanumeric. Um, but we know that there's a ton of different things that go into that. There's so many different options that we have at our disposal, which nicely actually leads us to our discussion about generations. Um, is that, you know, as, as we were talking recently, I'm, I'm a gen X. Um, you know, I grew up alongside the internet. Um, so the internet for me was kind of the thing that is my go to. Ultimately, um, due to my, obviously, my career, I have adjusted and, and I have brought a lot of different channels into, um, my mainstream of, of communications. Um, but your generation has grown up along social media. Um, and I think just in general that there is some confusion, um, from different generations about what a lot of these different platforms do. Let's say TikTok, for example. Um, I can tell you right now, I could probably ask about, you know, 10 people in this office, like what they think of TikTok and they would probably more than likely tell me that, oh, that's the one that they do dances on and that's not true from your perspective. Um, and I would love to just understand more, you know, looking at your generation, obviously looking at the tools that, that you use personally, um, to get your communi, to get your information, um, and to communicate, uh, what are you seeing as kind of your, your mainstays? What do you, how do you use social media?


Sam: 8:32
Um, so recently I actually just discovered I'm a gen Z. I found that out while I was in the office this summer. Um, but that being said, I would say everyone, my age sees TikTok, I would say originally TikTok did begin as a dancing app. I think when it first came out, it, it was, um, a byproduct of music.ly, which was another dancing singing type of app. Um, it was lip singing really. And so the same creators of that um, created TikTok and they just really changed the dynamic of it. So, originally I think people were trying to figure out, oh, is TikTok um, is it going to be like another dancing app? But what it's really transformed into from my perspective is that it's just a way for people to communicate across the country and across the globe. Cuz I get videos on my it's called a "for you" page. Um, there's basically an algorithm with TikTok where they find things that you've liked, like things that you've commented on, things that, they can tell within their database that you find interesting. Um, and they take that information and they kind of curate into your "for you" page. What type of videos are specifically interesting to you? And, um, with that being said, a lot of the videos have kind of transformed over from the dancing side of things to, oh, Hey, let me share this tidbit of information that I found out. Um, a lot of it is used as a learning platform now from my perspective. Um, also there's obviously people who are using it for shopping there's people who are using it to make funny videos still. There's still the dancing videos on there, but, um, I find that my generation tends to look at it as a way to communicate with other people and just find out new ideas and perspectives.


Chris: 10:21
Yeah. And I think that that's, that that's an interesting point. Um, because obviously marketing also too, is about tailoring your content, your delivery mechanism. And, uh, obviously social media is a great tool to do. So, like you said, there is that, that AI kind of component behind and a lot of these channels that are out there now. Um, like for example, like just the other day, Um, I think I mentioned to you, you know, uh, on Netflix, we were watching a show, I think it's called blown out, or I forget exactly what it's called, um, but about glass blowers. Um, and it's a competition, um, based thing. And I remember just yesterday hopping on Instagram and all of a sudden now I have some videos about glass blowing in Instagram. Um, so it's just really interesting to see how channels like that can be tailored towards your needs. Not, not just for your needs as a, as a person very broadly, but also too. What is, what are you experiencing at that moment that might be most relevant to you? So which kind of leads to our segue, obviously, you know, Alphanumeric is very conscious about developing the all optimal patient experience. Um, and you know, what we do is, is ultimately trying to provide that, that, that great experience. You, you told me something interesting, which resonated with me recently is that, you know, if you personally had health issues or something that you wanted to learn more about that your first stop probably would end up being TikTok. Um, and that was interesting to me. And I'd love to see, I'd love to hear more about that, honestly. . Sam: Um, yeah, so I really just like the see a person directly in front of you. Obviously the app can be used to show videos without people in it. But the majority of what I see is, um, it's people directly communicating and talking to you, which I find to be much more of a personal component than just simply Googling and being like, oh, "What does this symptom mean"? And, you know, everyone always tells you don't Google healthcare questions. You're gonna get random answers. But, um, in the TikTok community, now, there are actually a lot of doctors who are on there, nurses, um, people who actually know what they're talking about. So if you look things up, I said, why am I having this really bad cough? I don't know. COVID aside. Um, they might give you a bunch of different. Reasons that you might be having this cough. That's a really not great example, but if you look up specific things, why am I having this problem with my foot? You might be able to find, um, "Hey, well, actually I had the same problem with my foot" and somebody might be able to give you an answer to, um, why you have that going on, what it might be, what you should do next steps. Um, whether it be a doctor or it just be another person that's my age who's giving me, "Hey, this was my experience". And you might be experiencing the same thing. It's just very interesting to me to have that personal communication, rather than just a Google article that anybody could have uploaded. And, and I think honestly, that's a really interesting thing to, to see the evolution of the physician/patient connection, because, and again, we're talking a little bit about generations, but you know, previous generations like boomers and stuff like that, you know, they, their trusted resource was their local doctor. Um, you know, they would go personally talk to that doctor, whatever that doctor prescribed or said. It, it, it was the, you know, it was what needed to be done. Um, we kind of have taken a, a very around the world trip in terms of this type of communication, because my generation was the Google generation. Really, you know, we, if we had an ailment, we would Google it and of course you would get like a gajillion different items. More than likely, the top issue was you have cancer. Um, if you had a sniffle, um, which is, you know, obviously not good. Um, but now it's gone back to, and I feel like, you know, your generation especially has taken us back to the feel of it needs to be personal and need. I, I want to talk and, or, and not, not maybe not directly, but I need to hear directly from the mouth of a physician, whether it's in the virtual world or not. Um, and that seems to be the role that TikTok and some of these other new channels as. Are playing now.


Sam: 14:45
Right? And in my blog post, I actually had highlighted how my generation is used to having smartphones. We're used to having the internet at our fingertips. You know, we've always been able to Google those questions and just find answers in a heartbeat. So for people who are used to having these quick responses in a timely manner, you don't have to actually make the appointment to go to the doctor's office. You don't have to wait until your specific doctor is available, or until you can get certain time away from work, you know, you can just go look it up immediately. And that's a really big thing with people my age. A lot of, a lot of people, my age are pretty impatient when it comes to that type of thing, but it's because we've been very privileged when it comes to having information at our fingertips. So yeah, TikTok is definitely bridged the gap. I believe between the patient experience and being able to you know, connect with somebody face to face again.


Chris: 15:40
And I think that's one of the great things that we're doing here at Alphanumeric is that is, is really trying to be super focused on, you know, that interpersonal connection, um, that a lot of people, regardless of generation do desire. Um, and, uh, but also too, having a variety of tools at our disposal in order to choose the way that we want to connect with, uh, you know, a, a, an HCP or a nurse or, or whomever, um, to give us that, that really kind of relevant, targeted information that we require, um, for, and like I said, obviously this is Alphanumeric's focus. What do you see for other businesses that aren't kind of taking this approach? What are the possible implications, um, for different businesses that, that don't go down that road? . Sam: So I have seen a lot of specifically promoting their products. And one of the ways that they do this is they actually take influencers or really big creators. People who are very well known on the app and they get them to do sort of like a promotion for their brand. And they'll say, Hey, my name is so, and so, and I really love this product and they it's really influential to my generation because people look at that and they're like, oh, well, she likes that product. So I wanna use that product cuz I think she's cool. And um, companies who aren't doing that or seeking that type of marketing, I think might be doing themselves a disservice just because, um, this is a really, really new generational thing coming up and people, my age are getting ready to start graduating college, going into the workforce, and this is the newest up and coming way to communicate for us. So I think, um, not including tikTok or just social media in general. It has to do with Instagram too. That's a really big one. And my generation, um, not utilizing those resources is doing yourself a disservice. And allowing your competitors if they're going to actually take advantage of what this resource is, um, then they might end up, you know, doing better than you are in that area of marketing. I don't know, how else to put it other than that, but yeah. So you mentioned influencers too as well. And I think that's, uh, something that I, I think we really kind of need to hit on, um, because for me an influencer, it was not part of my upbringing. Um, I obviously know what they do, the impact that they can provide. Um, do you see them as relevant? And I know we can't treat 'em all the same, cuz they're all different, but do you see them as a relevant type of you know, do, do they influence you? I guess is basically what I'm saying to you. Are they relevant sources of information for you?


Sam: 18:29
Um, I definitely would say when you're constantly looking at you know, in Instagram feed or a social media feed, and you're, you're seeing this person everywhere. And obviously people like them. I mean, you wanna be like that person. You wanna, you want to be liked. You want people to be like, oh, she's cool. She's doing that thing. I, I also wanna do that thing. It has a lot to do with peer pressure, honestly, but aside from that, I mean. It's just also eye opening to be able to see, oh, this person uses this product this way. And that seems like something I could also use. And that would advantage me, you know? So I do think that influencers have an impact on my generation. Um, Sometimes it can be a negative one, you know, but a lot of times, um, because they're in like the quote unquote spotlight, they have to present their image a certain way and be really careful about what they're doing so they can be really good influences if you will. And they can, um, really just help point you towards, I don't know, I guess, in terms of pharmaceuticals towards good products or in terms of just companies in general, toward things that they are enjoying things that they're using, making their life easier, you know, that type of thing. So I do think influencers, um, they influence my life.


Chris: 19:50
Yeah. And, and I think just in general, cause I've seen a lot of, uh, different influencers out there that, um, you know, maybe, uh, you know, they they're afflicted with some, you know, disease or something and that they really get out there onto the different, uh, channels to. Not only talk about the challenges that they're going through. Um, but also to some of the successes, some of the, um, the different groups that they're part of in order to get supports like patient support groups and stuff like that. Um, but also too, I think at the end of the day, the ability, especially from a patient perspective, to see somebody else potentially going through what you may be going through or have gone through. It, it, it, it gives you a little bit of sense of, um, okay. I'm not this isn't, uh, I'm not on my own, um, that there are, are other people out there other people that I can connect with very easily. Like you said, you know, you, you, you've grown up with a cell phone. Um, that's a smartphone, I should say, um, shows my age, um, that you know, that you could pull up that influencer at any moment that you want, um, and be, you know, enveloped in that community, that those influencers are creating. Um, so I, I do see a huge value in influencers because they're not just the paid actors or sports heroes that we, you know, we have seen in the past that, you know, are getting paid a ton to promote


Sam: 21:15
something. Right. Yeah, definitely. Um, I think being able to...the influencers who honestly do the best are people who like them the most are the influencers who are the most real with their audience and who, that, that sounds so dumb saying the most real, but, um, I mean, genuinely people like to see real people. And they like to see, "Hey, you're struggling with this. Oh, well, I can relate". I also am struggling with this. And they really just like to hear the personal experiences that these people who are maybe seen as put on a pedestal, that they're also going through these real world experiences and that they also have tough things that they face too, you know? Yeah.


Chris: 21:57
No. And I think, yeah, I mean, just that, like I said, that you're, you're, you're not alone. Um, and, and I think that's, for me, that's one of the huge benefits of these different channels is that you can connect real time real quick, um, with people just like you. Um, so. I mean, I think, you know, from, from our standpoint, I mean, number one, uh, Sam, I just wanna thank you. Um, number one for, for coming to us this summer. Um, and, um, hopefully you got to learn some things, um, and, uh, we're, we're looking forward to hopefully having you back again next year, um, and, uh, wish you obviously nothing but the best in your, your junior year, which, um, I'm sure you're excited about getting back real soon. Um, and, um, no, just in general. Uh, we wanna see if you wanna leave us with any thoughts, um, anything that we, we need to think about as an organization or as a marketing team, um, you know, anything that you wanna leave us with?


Sam: 22:55
Um, I don't really have anything specific, I guess my only question to you guys, I guess, would be, um, "What have you found the benefit, I guess, to be like, to have an intern, um, this summer, what have you found the benefit to be and would you recommend it to other departments and like other, um, companies, like why has this benefited you guys or from what perspective that I've given, has it helped you guys".


Chris: 23:20
Flipping the script on me? um, no, I mean, honestly, that's a good, good question. And honestly, an easy question for me to answer. Different perspectives. Um, honestly I think that, um, it's great to have somebody with different ideas, different viewpoints. I know we talked a lot about today, about generations, but like I've mentioned to you before you can't just bucket people perfectly. And, and from a generational standpoint, we know that everybody is different. Everybody has different upbringings and stuff. Um, you know, but in terms of this conversation, we did a little bit, um, you know, but for me it is about the opportunity to tap into different people, different ideas, because with marketing, especially there is no right or wrong kind of, you know, answer to, to things mm-hmm um, we need to continually be fluid. Change our perspective, um, change our approach, um, continuously and, you know, having someone like yourself, um, you know, fresh, um, you know, and, and with brand new ideas, it, it, it was a huge benefit to us. And I would certainly recommend it to do any company, any department, um, to make sure that there is a good, solid internship program, um, because... Obviously, we wanna make sure it's a benefit to you, but at the same time, it's a benefit to us too, as well. So..


Sam: 24:46
I'm glad you feel that way.


Chris: 24:48
No, I mean, definitely. I, I, I think, and, and I would definitely do it again. And that's why we've already talked about, you know, potentially you coming back, um, next summer. Um, because I'm sure again, you're gonna have probably walk in this door with a whole brand new set of ideas. Um, and, uh, that's your goal. Yeah. And while I'm learning every single day, and, and I know that, uh, other team members on our team are doing the same exact thing. There's always gonna be something new to learn. Yeah. And that's what, having more people and different people. And, and that's why we really wanted to include you in so many different things. Um, and not keep you isolated in any one area. Right. Um, because there's so many things that you can, you know, interpret and add your own kind of flavor to, right.


Sam: 25:32
That's why I can't believe that this has already been a full month. I know it's like a short internship, but I can't believe that it's already over it's cuz I've gotten, um, to do so many different things in this like short period of time. So I really wanna thank you guys for the opportunity to just, and you guys have been so helpful, especially with making sure that I'm getting to, um, have my hands in this area and have my hands in this area and also make sure that, you know, I'm busy and having stuff to do, not just sitting around all the time. So thank you guys for that. No.


Chris: 26:01
And we appreciate your willingness to take a lot of our garbage on. You know, we, we hit you with a lot of different things, um, and, um, you know, you, you, you managed to navigate nicely through all of it and, uh, you know, add a lot to it too as well. So we appreciate it. So. Um, last, uh, not certainly not the least question here is obviously, you know, you're well aware of our, make your mark campaign that we've been doing. And that was something new this year. Um, you know, for us at Alphanumeric we are ultimately about making our mark on patient education, um, and that patient journey and making life just a little bit better, hopefully for each patient. Um, and we've been asking all of our teammates, how do they make their mark individually and professionally? Um, what, what, I'm gonna ask you the same exact question, um, because I think it's, it's extremely relevant. Um, and, uh, you know, not just only from your internship program, um, but in general, every day. How do you go about making your mark?


Sam: 27:04
Um, I would say that I make my mark. I try my best. I hopefully other people are getting this from me is to treat everybody how I would wanna be treated, I guess. Um, that's a really big part of the workplace I think is making sure that it's a healthy and, you know, positive environment for everybody. And obviously, um, the best type of work is getting done when people are feeling like they're fostering, you know, um, healthy relationships in the workplace. So hopefully when people interact with me, um, throughout my daily life and in the workplace as well, um, I mean, they're coming away from it as a positive interaction and, um, hopefully I leave that impression with them, but also, um, making my mark, I guess I would say for this internship specifically, I hope that I've left you guys as we were talking about with a lot of, um, ideas just from my generation and just newer ideas in general, and being able to give that perspective, that'll actually help you guys in the future or be able to be used in current projects. That's how I make my mark.


Chris: 28:13
And we appreciate that. And I think you, you, you you're spot on, I mean, because we, in the previous episode we talk a lot about empathy and, and, and, uh, I know you mentioned that it's about treating everybody, um, the way that you would like to be treated and, um, we all need that. Um, you know, I think that that's a, that's a great approach, um, in whatever you end up doing, um, in, in your life. So, um, so no, I just wanted to say, and as we wrap it up here, thank you so much. Uh, not only just for agreeing to participate in the podcast, but agreeing to come on board with us on this internship program. Um, and we wish you nothing but the best Sam. Thank you.


Sam: 28:52
Thank you guys.


Chris: 28:58
Thank you for listening to this episode of make your mark an Alphanumeric podcast. For more information on Alphanumeric. Go to www.alphanumeric.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Thank you. And remember to always strive to make your mark.