‘Blend their sweet music to my ear’

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Jay Morris
Trumpet

Trumpet was the first instrument I learned to play. Now I’m trying my hand at guitar.

Just before Thanksgiving, I had my last guitar lesson at the Music & Arts store in Springfield, ending a six-and-a-half-year run that had been frustrating, delightful and inspiring.

My teacher Matt taught me many things during the time we were together. I mastered chords, learned music theory, picked my way through songs and, along the way, gained a deeper appreciation for the guitar, which dates back to classical times and is an immensely rich but difficult instrument (for me) to play.

In the spring of 2008, I didn’t know a thing about the guitar. I just wanted to learn how to play. More than anything, I wanted to be able to create music. My music. In the beginning, my music consisted of playing a G and a D chord. Funny thing is, that is the basis of many songs. Add an A minor, and you’ve got the chords to Bob Dylan’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door,” one of my favorite songs.

But mastering the guitar—as with anything new—requires more than a weekly half-hour lesson. I needed to practice and learn some things on my own. In the beginning, I embraced the challenge with gusto. However, my zeal began to taper off, and I found myself less inclined to pick up the guitar.

It got to the point where my weekly lessons had become a pleasant diversion, but I wasn’t really putting in the effort anymore. I realized that lessons alone would not get me to the next level. I needed to work on some things myself. That’s when I pulled the plug on my weekly excursions to Music & Arts.

This past Sunday, I had the good fortune of seeing musical ability at all levels at Annandale UMC’s annual talent show. From kids who are just learning to play instruments to young adults who are already accomplished singers and musicians, we were treated to a rich display of talent and skill.

One high school student casually announced, “I play the guitar,” and then proceeded to amaze us with a virtuoso performance. If I had a tenth of his talent, I thought…

While I will never grace a stage or bowl over anyone with my ability, I do continue to play the guitar. I haven’t relegated it to the closet just yet. Watching those young people Sunday reminded me of when I struggled to play the trumpet in elementary and junior high school. I know that practice and persistence can pay off because by the time I was a senior, I was first chair trumpet in the Woodson High School Symphonic Band.

If you have never taken up an instrument, I highly recommend it. Study after study shows the intellectual, emotional and health benefits of playing and listening to music. It’s a proven fact that music can reduce stress, even lower your heart rate.

For me, playing the guitar is therapy, wonder and exercise wrapped up in one beautifully fashioned piece of wood and six stretched, metal strings.

So I salute the talented young people at AUMC. May they keep inspiring old guys like me to practice and stay young.

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Content marketing, Star Wars and customer service

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Jay Morris
Star Wars logo

Star Wars logo from Wikimedia Commons.

If you want to see content marketing in action, the Microsoft Dynamics Blog is a pretty good example. I spend a lot of time on the Microsoft Dynamics and Azure websites for one of my clients. On the Dynamics site, they are always loading fresh content on CRM, social listening and ERP. And they do a pretty good job of keeping it informative, lively and not too sales-y.

Good content marketing not only stays on topic but also ties into the calendar, current events and popular culture. So recent Dynamics postings have given a nod to “Star Wars” (May the Fourth be With You!) and Mother’s Day.

And speaking of “Star Wars,” Tricia Morris (no relation) gives some great lessons on customer service from Yoda in her “7 Customer Service Lessons From a Jedi Master.” Here are four from her blog that have application across any enterprise and are frankly good words of advice for all aspects of life:

“Do or do not, there is no try.”
Entrepreneur magazine highlighted some of the phrases customers are most happy to hear and none of them include the word “try.” Instead, customers want to hear: I can solve that problem; I will find out; I will take responsibility; I will keep you updated, and I will deliver on time. Do or do not, there is no try.

“Help you I can, yes.”
Never send the customer somewhere else or tell them to call back at another time. Thank the customer for giving you the opportunity to address the matter, and to the best of your ability, address it then and there for much-appreciated first contact resolution. “Help you I can, yes.”

“You must unlearn what you have learned.”
No matter how much experience we have accumulated, there are always new or different things we can learn from experts, peers, mentors and our customers to enhance, adjust and revolutionize the customer experience. Keep an open mind and be open to continued change and learning.

Luke: “I do not believe it.” Yoda: “That is why you fail.”
Many a company can say or write that customer service is important to them, but if there is no real belief behind customer service’s power to change an organization for the better, the proverbial ship will never rise out of the stagnant complacency and disaffection holding it down.

Create a customer service culture, you must, filled with true believers. May the Force be with you…

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How to make better to-do lists and get things done

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Jay Morris
Man with clipboard

How effective are you at making to-do lists and then getting those things done? Photo from freerangestock.com.

Are you a list maker? I make lists all the time—in notebooks, on scratch pads, on the back of envelopes, on my iPhone, in Notes on my computer or just in my head. I keep a running list of topics for this blog, work deadlines, business ideas, volunteer commitments and personal projects.

At least I’m consistent about making lists, but I’m not very consistent about accomplishing the things on my list. The old adage, “plan your work, work your plan,” is a good one, but the “work your plan” part is where I most often fall short.

Here are some things that I’ve discovered about my work habits that I know I need to improve. You may be in the same boat.

Attach deadlines to your to-do items. It’s not enough to simply list the items you’d like to get done. Write down when each one needs to be completed. Yes, I know, that sounds an awful lot like planning. But unless you attach a deadline, you’re not going to get it done.

Prioritize your lists. Your to-do list shouldn’t be like a grocery list, where all of the items have an equal chance of getting into your shopping cart. Most of the items on your to-do list can be grouped into categories based on relative importance or how much time you have to get them done. Create a system where high-priority items rise to the top of your list.

Tackle the toughest items when you are freshest. Time-management gurus will tell you to double down on your hardest tasks first thing in the morning when the day is young and you’ve got plenty of energy. I say identify those times in your day where you can knock out tasks uninterrupted for about two hours and your energy level is fairly high. It may not be first thing in the morning for you; perhaps it is late afternoon before you leave the office. Determine an optimum time and then use it judiciously to complete the big projects on your list.

Review your lists and cross off items that have been neglected. At the end of the day, and then at the end of the week, look over your list. If an item keeps getting pushed to the bottom and stays there, maybe it needs to come off. Either get it done or move on. Purge your lists.

Think in longer timeframes. Stephen Covey always urged that we take the long view in creating task lists and goals, hence the weekly planner. Let’s face it, there are days when we hardly make a dent in our to-do list. Meetings, family emergencies, unexpected assignments—they all conspire to pull us away from what we had hoped to accomplish for the day. Rather than obsessing over it, consider that you still have until the end of the week to finish the major items on your list.

Budget your time. My biggest downfalls are distractions and devoting too much time to low-priority tasks that might best be left to others. Pay attention to how you are spending your day. Are you constantly on Facebook and other social media? Do you get sucked into idle conversation with friends or colleagues? Do you end up in long meetings that have no clear purpose? Do you find yourself problem-solving for people who are perfectly capable of finding solutions on their own? Learn to focus and put some limits on your availability during your optimum periods of personal production. Then get a few items off your to-do list.

Use a system that works for you. Some carry 3×5 note cards in their pocket. Others have massive binders with fancy day planners. Lately, I’ve been using my iPhone and saving my lists to the cloud. That way I can access them on my laptop and desktop computers. Try a few systems, and see which one is best for you.

What are some strategies you use to stay on track with your to-do lists?

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Managing risk, like change, is a process: 10 tips to follow

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Jay Morris

Enterprise Risk ManagementAn article I recently wrote on enterprise risk management (ERM) is the cover story in the current issue of The Federal Credit Union magazine. While ERM is a topic that probably doesn’t have much appeal beyond financial services, I think much of what I gleaned from the experts I spoke to applies not just to risk but to change management as well.

ERM is first and foremost a process that everyone in the enterprise must embrace, from top to bottom. It’s all about creating a risk culture that supports and aligns with the organization’s mission.

In reviewing the 10 tips I compiled for a sidebar, I can’t help but think most of these apply to any organization that’s attempting to change its culture. Here are those tips (wherever you see the word ERM, just think change!):

  1. Walk before you run. “Appropriately set expectations,” advises Andy Vanderhoff, CEO of Quantivate. “ERM is a journey that takes quite a few years. Take steps slowly and surely to get there.”
  2. Don’t shove it down people’s throats. “ERM doesn’t mean that you throw away everything that’s already been done,” says Vanderhoff. “Build on the effective risk culture that got you to this point. Don’t dismiss it.”
  3. Start at the top. “ERM may get assigned to a midlevel management person,” says Jeff Owen of the Rochdale Group, “but it needs to start with the CEO and board. They should set the tone and embed the ERM culture across the institution.”
  4. Give everyone a voice. “IT, business continuity, information security — these are functions that may feel like they don’t have a very big voice in the organization,” says Vanderhoff. “Make sure their voices get heard.”
  5. Get the right people on board. “You want people on your committee who can be allies of ERM,” Vanderhoff says. “Pick people who will help you create and support the ERM culture, not resist it.”
  6. Leverage the work you’ve already done. “You don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” Vanderhoff says. “You may already have an internal audit function and a compliance department. Leverage and integrate those to drive the process.”
  7. Think through your data collection needs. “The last thing you want is another data silo,” cautions Vanderhoff. “There should be a valid business driver behind the data you collect.”
  8. Get the process down before you automate. “Process precedes automation,” Vanderhoff states. “If you’re looking for software, ask in-depth questions about what kind of process is included.”
  9. It’s not a one-time thing. “ERM isn’t a once-a-quarter, once-a-year thing,” notes Department of Labor Federal Credit Union CEO Joan Moran. “It’s something that you should be doing all the time.”
  10. Learn as you go. “Don’t be afraid of the process,” suggests Margie Johnson of SAC Federal Credit Union. “It’s a work in progress, and we’re always learning.” Adds Vanderhoff, “With ERM, you want to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.”
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Stand and deliver: how to give impromptu remarks like a pro

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Jay Morris
Mark Twain

“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” – Mark Twain

You’re at a meeting, a retirement party, an awards banquet, a birthday celebration, a wedding, a funeral—any place where people are gathered. Suddenly you hear your name called. Then the dreaded, “Can you say a few words…”

You’re not prepared. You don’t know what to say. But that doesn’t matter because now all eyes are on you.

Giving impromptu remarks is as old as the art of speaking, so why do these moments catch us by surprise? Why do we stumble and falter when we should be hitting them out of the park? After all, it’s only a few words.

If you’re like me, you generally fall back on familiar themes, not really rising to the occasion or shining, just hopeful that you don’t sound too lame—and thankful when it’s over.

It’s in our nature to be anxious about public speaking. It’s part of that fight-or-flight response that’s hardwired into our genes. Our mind freezes up; we become tongue-tied; we feel like all of the oxygen has been sucked out of the room. It’s no wonder the fear of speaking in public is the number one fear, more terrifying than snakes, spiders, heights or death. There’s even a term for it: glossophobia.

Nervousness about speaking may be natural, but that doesn’t get you off the hook. You still have to stand and deliver. Here are some tips for turning those fears around and making the most of the times when you are called upon to speak extempore:

  • Give yourself some credit. There’s a reason why you’ve been asked to say a few words. You’re the subject expert, the trusted friend, the boss. You have a track record of providing insight, offering support or giving encouragement. So give yourself a little credit. You can do this.
  • Someone has to do it. There are times when we simply need to step up and say something. Think of these off-the-cuff moments as opportunities to lead, motivate or teach, to reassure or comfort, to acknowledge, to say thank you or express joy. How you handle these situations can have a huge impact on your reputation as a leader, the relationship you have with colleagues or even the future of an organization. Don’t shirk your responsibility. Step up and own it.
  • Follow a formula. Your remarks may be off the cuff, but that doesn’t mean they have to be disorganized. Good prepared speeches follow certain rules, and so do impromptu remarks. While you don’t have the luxury of developing your points or rehearsing, you can follow a logical format. Consider these strategies:
    • Tell a story. Storytelling is one of the best ways to connect with an audience. Even if you have just have two minutes, you can still recount the first time you met someone or give an interesting anecdote from your career that is germane to the topic.
    • Answer the 5 Ws. Answering the classic who, what, where, when and why is a great way to succinctly convey information, especially if you are called upon to speak at a meeting.
    • Give pros and cons. There are times when you may find it useful to summarize the issue, give the pros and the cons, and then suggest a conclusion.
    • Use Q&A. Asking a question and then answering it is another approach you might try. You may also be able to get your audience to ask you questions.
    • Follow P.R.E.P. Used by Toastmasters, Point, Reason, Example, Point may be one of the easiest ways of organizing your thoughts. Make your main point, give the reason(s) for stating this point, back it up with an example or two, then conclude by reiterating your point. For more ideas, see this how-to from Toastmasters.
  • Breathe. Pause and take a few deep breaths. Stand up if it’s appropriate. Standing gives you more power and helps you project your voice if you are soft-spoken. Collect your thoughts and then consider which formula you will use to deliver your remarks.
  • Say what needs to be said and no more. No one asked you to give a speech. While you may be tempted to go on about your topic, remember it’s just a few words! Try to limit yourself to just one main point.
  • Be prepared. As the old saying goes, “To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” If you think you might be called on to say something, be ready. I remember being asked to speak at a funeral just as the service started. The family had said they didn’t want any speakers, but they changed their mind at the last minute. Luckily, I had jotted down some ideas beforehand—just in case. As a result, I was able to organize my thoughts and deliver a much better tribute than if I had not prepared ahead of time.
  • Practice. There is really only one way to reduce your fear of public speaking and become better at it, and that—ironically—is to do more of it. If you want to improve your delivery, boost your confidence and chase away those butterflies, consider volunteering to speak. Ask your boss if you can present at the next staff meeting. Try your hand at Toastmasters. The more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll feel giving impromptu remarks.
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‘The blissful cloud of summer-indolence’

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Jay Morris
John Keats

John Keats in 1819, the year he wrote “Ode on Indolence.”

The other day, when I should have been working, I picked up a paperback that had been lying around the house—Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Normally, I don’t give much credence to book blurbs, but I have to say the words “utterly engrossing,” “mesmerizing,” “addictive” and “compelling” held true for this page-turner.

All morning, it was a game of cat and mouse. I’d read a few pages of Larsson; then I’d get back to work. By mid-afternoon, I was hooked, and the rest of the day was irretrievably lost to the girl with the tattoo.

I suppose that once in a while it’s okay to take a mental health day. But it raises questions, especially for those of us who are self-employed or run our own business. How much downtime do we allow ourselves? How often do we hang up a “gone fishing” sign and knock off early?

Last year, I worked nearly every day. I took off one day in June and a few days around Christmas. This year, I am trying to be more balanced. I took off a week in January, and I have another week of vacation planned next month. I’m also trying to set aside time each day to relax and think.

What’s that, you say? Slacker?

Actually, a lot of artists and psychologists will tell you that a little laziness, daydreaming or just goofing off are good for creative thinking. In describing her writing routine, Joyce Carol Oates once said, “I have always spent most of my time staring out the window, noting what is there, daydreaming or brooding.”

I prefer the word indolence. Indolence has its origin in the Latin “indolentia,” meaning freedom from pain. It’s a neutral state in which neither pain nor pleasure is felt, hence its association with idleness and laziness. So if the curse of our human condition is pain and toil and suffering (and busyness), you might say that indolence is its reprieve.

Steinbeck quote

I don’t regard indolence as a character defect—as was once thought—or the moral equivalent of sloth, one of those seven deadly sins we’re supposed to avoid at all cost. No, I view indolence more charitably—not a virtue but not necessarily bad, either. As Steinbeck says of laziness, it’s a state that’s conducive to contemplation. Without it, there can be no balance in our lives.

The English Romantic poet John Keats wrote his “Ode on Indolence” in the spring of 1819. It’s a mediocre poem compared to “Ode to a Grecian Urn” and “Ode to a Mockingbird,” which he finished the same year. Yet, Keats told a friend, “the thing I have most enjoyed this year is writing an ode to Indolence.”

In a letter to his brother George, Keats said of indolence, “In this state…the fibres of the brain are relaxed in common with the rest of the body, and to such a happy degree that pleasure has no show of enticement and pain no unbearable frown…This is the only happiness, and is a rare instance of advantage in the body overpowering the Mind.”

Indolence, then, is that sweet spot where the cares of this world melt away, if only temporarily. Indolence must have tugged at Keats because he had a lot to worry about in his short life. He had given up studying to become a surgeon so that he could devote his life to poetry, a decision he brooded over because he knew he would never have any money. His father had died when Keats was just eight. His mother died six years later of consumption, a disease that would take away his brother Tom and cut short Keats’ life at the age of 25.

The epigraph for the poem, “They toil not, neither do they spin,” comes from Matthew 6:28, where “they” refers to the lilies of the field. The verse is part of Jesus’ admonition not to worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or what you will wear. Look at the birds of the air, Jesus says; they don’t sow or reap, and yet God feeds them. Or take the lilies. They don’t labor or spin, yet they are dressed in splendor.

It’s a message that Keats would have appreciated. Giving up the rigors of a medical career to devote his life to writing enabled him to become one of England’s greatest poets. The irony is that he would never know success in his life, nor was he ever made aware of a sizable inheritance that would have made his life much easier.

Needless to say, whenever we strike out on our own, we have our share of doubts and setbacks—both imagined and real. Brief periods of indolence are to be expected, perhaps even prescribed. They provide a respite from worry and stress, give us time to rejuvenate, and prepare us for bursts of creativity and inspiration.

So it’s okay to listen to a nightingale, lose yourself in a novel, walk along the beach or simply delight in “the blissful cloud of summer-indolence.”

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So you want to be a CEO?

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Jay Morris

Tomorrow's LeadersLast month, an article I wrote on “Tomorrow’s Leaders” landed on the cover of The Federal Credit Union magazine, NAFCU’s bimonthly publication. Back in August, when I was interviewing credit union CEOs for the piece, I shared some of their “secrets” here on The Wayward Journey.

But as I noted then, there really aren’t any secrets to great leadership. The advice I heard from these successful leaders consisted mostly of common-sense, time-tested principles that you can apply to your own life and business, whether you work for a small firm, a large enterprise or just want to improve yourself.

Among the traits of great leaders: They never stop learning; they are good at building relationships; they possess well-honed people skills; they have a clear vision for their organization; and they are highly effective communicators.

When we put the piece together, we decided to include a sidebar called “So You Want to Be a CEO?” While the focus is obviously on credit unions, I think the advice applies to anyone who wants to get ahead. See how many of these you are doing.

So You Want to Be a CEO?

(From The Federal Credit Union magazine, November-December 2014)

Looking to move up? Read the 10 tips below from the leaders we interviewed.

  1. Practice good communications skills. Do you understand different styles of communication? Are you a good listener? Are you good at building relationships?

  2. Round out your experience at the credit union. Learn all you can about compliance, operations and lending. Develop relationships with other departments. Find out what they do and how you might assist them.

  3. Get some financial knowledge. You don’t have to be a CFO, but you do need to know your way around a balance sheet and income statement. You need to understand credit union ratios and be familiar with asset/liability management (ALM).

  4. Do your best work. You’ll get noticed if you’re willing to go the extra mile and consistently perform at a high level. Volunteer for new assignments. Have a passion for what you do.

  5. Be a lifelong learner. Broaden your horizons. Embrace new ideas. Attend conferences, take a management class, read industry trade publications and business books, sign up for webcasts. Always ask questions and seek to know more.

  6. Network with your peers and leaders. Seek out a mentor, or mentor someone else. Collaborate with others to help solve organizational problems.

  7. Increase your EQ (emotional intelligence). Work on developing your empathy, self-awareness, motivation and social skills. Pay attention to how others perceive you and whether you are communicating well. How engaged are you? Are you contributing to team building?

  8. Stay informed about credit union trends and industry issues.

  9. Have a vision and purpose for what you do. Keep the mission of helping your members foremost in your mind.

  10. Ask others for feedback and to provide you with their candid assessment of your work and management style. Better yet, seek out that person who is most critical of your work, and ask them how you can improve.

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10 ways to step out of your comfort zone

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Jay Morris
Man working at desk

What steps are you taking to get out of your comfort zone?

I read a LinkedIn post recently by Paul Lanigan on why it’s important to step out of your comfort zone if you want to be successful (“Are you smothering your own success?”). His piece had lots to say to me and perhaps others who find themselves blocked at times, not by lack of intelligence, talent or energy, but by their own insecurities and fears.

As a certified Introvert on the Myers-Brigg personality type indicator, I often find myself way out of my comfort zone. I’d say I’ve been out of my comfort zone since at least third grade. Why third grade? Because I can still remember when Ms. Mullins asked me to read aloud a story I had written. I don’t remember the story, just the class staring at me as I stumbled over my own words.

I recovered, of course, and I learned the truth of Lanigan’s main takeaway: “Everything you’ve ever wanted is just one step outside your comfort zone.”

Whenever I pushed myself, whenever I took on something that seemed way beyond my ability, whenever I raised my hand, stepped up or sometimes just showed up, it invariably led to something better. It seemed the more discomfort I was willing to endure, the more I was rewarded.

As Lanigan puts it, “Your discomfort tolerance is the number one determinant of your success. To get what others don’t, you have to do what others won’t.”

Imagine a shy, tongue-tied high school kid terrified of public speaking. What would possess him to join the debate team of all things? I’m not sure why I did, but my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner! The experience of arguing a case, and learning the rules of evidence, how to research issues and be succinct, helped me later in life to be a more persuasive writer and make key points in op-eds and columns.

We all have stories of being drawn out of our comfort zone. Sometimes it’s a step we’ve taken on our own, or maybe it’s a teacher or friend who’s nudged us a bit. Whether you’re a parent, a volunteer, an employee or a CEO, you need to step out from time to time. Here is some good advice from Lanigan on how to do it:

  1. Ask yourself if the discomfort that you’re feeling is a price worth paying for achieving your goal.

  2. Stop looking for new. This is usually an indication that you don’t want to acknowledge you haven’t mastered the old, but you want to kid yourself that you are doing something useful.

  3. Form an accountability group with like-minded people. Don’t allow excuses.

  4. Stop taking the short cut – growth is uncomfortable. There are no silver bullets.

  5. Identify the times and moments where you typically wimp out, then plan and rehearse an alternative course of action.

  6. Detach yourself from your emotions.

  7. Ask yourself – what is the worst thing that can happen – can you live with the worst case?

  8. Set clear goals that give you a clear sense of purpose.

  9. Push through your comfort zone in other areas of your life. If you are afraid of heights – tackle that fear and you will feel better about yourself immediately. You will also carry the courage it took to overcome your fear into other spheres. Courage is contagious.

  10. Make a to-do list every day and order the tasks by comfort level – not priority because overcoming discomfort should be your number one priority.

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Old dogs and new tricks: One generation sharpens another

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Jay Morris
Kids on a pier

What will define Generation Z…and what will they learn from us?

Last week, Shira Harrington of Purposeful Hire spoke about generational differences at an IPRA luncheon. Listening to her talk, I was transported back to the early days in my career when beat-up old reporters ran PR shops and the typewriter was the only technology you needed to know how to use.

Shira gave a great presentation on how to work with and reach Millennials, but in the larger context of overlapping generations—beginning with the Veterans Generation and moving on to the Baby Boomers, Generation X and then Generation Y (Millennials), the largest generation at over 80 million. Much of what she had to say I had heard before, but it made me think in new ways about my own generation, my parents’, my son’s and the generation to come after the Millennials.

As if on cue, a member of the newest generation, Generation Z, appeared at my side as I was writing this post. Kylie, age 7, watched for a moment, then asked, “How did you learn to type so fast?” I told her I learned on a typewriter and asked if she had ever seen one.

“In a museum,” she replied. I had to laugh, but I realized she was right. Where else would you see a typewriter these days!

I let Kylie type on my laptop as we talked about writing. She wrote a note to her mom and dad without any help and asked me to print it. I was surprised at how comfortable she was on the keyboard and that she knew how to change font styles and point sizes in Word.

I suspect that some day PR bosses will say they are just beat-up old content marketers, and a new generation of practitioners, Kylie’s generation, will roll their eyes and say, “You are so 2014.”

Thankfully, writing is one PR skill that hasn’t fallen out of favor and isn’t likely to in the future. Writing seems to be a hot commodity these days with storytelling all the rage and like-worthy content in high demand.

I got my start in community newspapers, then had a stint as the editor of a Washington newsletter. So I came to PR like many who toiled away in print before finding their way into the growing field of communications.

I cannot imagine good writing ever going out of style, although surely there will always be debate as to what is style and how best to engage an audience. You wouldn’t expect a copywriter today to write in iambic pentameter, but that doesn’t mean Shakespeare wasn’t one heck of a writer.

Each generation must reinvent what has come before and make it its own. In the process, one generation sharpens another. Defining moments such as the birth of the Internet, 9/11 or the Great Recession impact us all—not just Millennials or Gen Xers.

I may have started my career with the typewriter and the Compugraphic machine, but I would no sooner go back to them than a Millennial would give up his smart phone. We all arrive at the future at the same time, just with different experiences under our belts.

I had the experience of sending press releases through the mail. Gen X had the experience of creating targeted emails and using online distribution services. Millennials are masters of social media. My dad, who was a mechanical engineer, relied on a slide rule and produced detailed technical drawings by hand, but he was also an early adopter of something called the computer.

It’s interesting and helpful to know the characteristics of each generation—how they view themselves, experience the world and approach the workplace—but as Shira suggested, we shouldn’t stereotype. Nor should we forget that old dogs can, and do, learn new tricks. And sometimes in the process they teach the youngsters a thing or two.

You might be a Millennial if…

SelfieIf you need some help understanding the Millennial Generation, you can’t go wrong reading this Bulldog Reporter article that Shira Harrington recommends: “PR for Millennials: The Five-Factor Recipe for a Winning Campaign” by Talia Sinkinson.

Here are five key qualities of Millennials that Sinkinson says PR and marketing people need to keep in mind:

  1. Experential. Millennials want experiences more than things.
  2. Self-broadcasting. Millennials have a propensity for documenting themselves and their activity constantly—and then sharing it with their followers.
  3. Passion-pointed. Millennials are “Generation Us.” They are community-focused and self-organize around passion points.
  4. Authenticity of strangers. Thanks to Yelp and other social media review tools, Millennials are the first generation to trust strangers more than friends or family when making purchasing decisions.
  5. Noncommittal. Millennials don’t like commitment. They want to try things, rent for a while and share.

So when designing a campaign that targets Millennials, Sinkinson says to remember these five points:

  • Be a conduit to experiences.
  • Provide opportunities for self-broadcast.
  • Join passion-point online hubs.
  • Leverage strangers over friends.
  • Give them a taste—without the pressure to buy.
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