Most business folks I know are frustrated Marketing experts. Or maybe not frustrated, but marketing experts nonetheless.
Me, I am a frustrated HR expert! I continue to be really interested in this new, four-generation workplace that has evolved and the role that technology is playing in new ways to work. And since I want to go for a motorcycle ride, I am going to steal (re-print) this blog from Robert Pease, Vice President of Marketing at Gist.com, my new favorite social media tool. More on Gist at the end. Robert’s blog this month has done a great job of showing that it isn’t about the workplace but rather the “Workstyle”. If you want to employ Millennial’s, read on.
The New Workstyle according to Gist:
1. Mobile – always on and aware.
2. Connected via hi-speed/broadband access – connected by a seriously big pipe or 4G. No dial up in the new workstyle.
3. Self-sufficient – have their own equipment which is often superior to what is provided by their employer or used in lieu of (computers, mobile device, printers, software, etc.). Demonstrate resiliency in their ability to navigate and thrive in an increasingly ambiguous workplace (and world).
4. Virtual – location independent with minimal impact on contribution. In fact, productivity is higher as the lines between work time and personal time blur along with designated work and personal locations.
5. Broad personal and professional on-line networks – meaningful connections across social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn that are not just collected and counted but leveraged and often engaged around questions or for advice.
6. Productive – not obsessed with productivity per se but owns the concept and applies it every day focusing on outcomes and accomplishments versus activities. Is always looking for tools and methods to improve an already productive daily pace.
7. Off-line driven – an important dimension of the new workstyle is both a consciousness and focus on off-line, person-to-person interactions facilitated by on-line tools and forums.
8. Balances work and personal lives – knits both work priorities and commitments with personal pursuits throughout the day (and night) combining flexibility with increased overall productivity and contribution to both.
9. Gives back – thinks beyond themselves to causes, community, or others less fortunate and uses their connections and resources to make significant contributions.
10. Intellectually curious – constantly seeks out new and betters ways to work by experimenting with new tools, listening to others, and critically examining the things they do and why they do them.
Gist is a simple interface that combines all of your contacts (address book, Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) into a Dashboard. It really exceeds the capability of any CRM product I have seen recently when it comes to knowing your contacts. Just check it out at www.gist.com!
