The University of Florida: Is There a Gator in You?

By Anthony Sinisgalli, Class of 1988

Chartered in 1906 by the first graduates of the school, the University of Florida’s Alumni Association currently represents approximately 350,000 “Gators” in every state in the nation and more than 100 countries worldwide.

Under the aegis of the Alumni Association, a network of almost 100 Gator Clubs brings together participants for an array of programs that support the university. These include reunion programs that bring graduates back to Gainesville and activities designed to “re-acquaint” alumni with campus life. The Grand Guard reunion recognizes 50-year graduates; the Silver Society honors those celebrating 25 years. Additionally, annual events include festivities such as Back to College, Spring Weekend, and the famous Gator Nation Tailgate parties before every football game.

However, the Alumni Association is more than just fun and games. In addition to organizing special interest groups on campus, it has partnered with current students to create specific professional programming, along with networking and social opportunities. The Alumni Association actively recruits academically superior students to attend the university, offering attractive financial assistance and scholarship programs sponsored by the Gator Clubs. Learn more at www.ufalumni.ufl.edu.

About the author:
A graduate of the University of Florida’s program in Business Administration, Anthony Sinisgalli is an active member of the Alumni Association.

The Importance of Knowing Your Market

As the Director of Business Development for HCA, Inc., Anthony Sinisgalli stresses the importance of knowing his market. He works with surgeons in a variety of specialties and strives to convince them to use his company’s Free Standing Surgical Centers for outpatient operations. He realizes that his success requires that he understand how the offices of his more than 200 clients operate on a daily basis. In addition, Sinisgalli strives to learn as much as possible about the various surgical procedures that his clients perform. Without this knowledge, he would not be able to effectively communicate with clients and explain to them the benefits of using his company’s services.

Becoming an effective sales professional requires dedicating significant time to research and learning about the market in which you operate. With a comprehensive understanding of the market, sales professionals gain a degree of authority and the trust of potential clients, a key to developing lasting business relationships.