How to – Get the Attention of Generation Y (and Keep It) With approximately 76 million Gen Y’s coming into the workforce, employers are waking up to the exciting (lots of new potential, clients, and consumers) and overwhelming (multi-tasking, twittering, blog-reading, ambitious) challenges that they present. While many weigh the pros (tech savvy, fast moving, trendsetting) and cons (work ethic problems, over confidence, a lack of respect for authority), this generation wants to rise quickly at work, make lots of money, and find their passion. Many managers want to know how to get their attention and maintain it over time.

While I don’t like stereotypes and their oversimplification, here are some ideas that will work for the general population of Y’s:

• First impressions are technological. Y’s will learn about you via Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and Twitter. Be visible there.

• Forget the lead in and lead up because Y’s don’t really care. Tell them what the solutions and take-aways are. They are focused on the end.

• Speak in sound bites. Y’s like things short and to the point. Don’t bother with lots of text and long paragraphs.

• Give Y’s airtime. They love to talk and they really love to talk to each other.

• Be direct and to the point. Let Y’s know when, how, and where you want something. Use a variety of mediums to communicate your message such as video, blogs, articles, audio, and email.

• Make them feel special. The more about them things are, the more you’ve got their attention.

• Be genuine. Capture their attention by being upbeat, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about your work.

Gen Y is a view of the world, less defined by a birth date and more defined by an outlook and behaviors. If you tend to be a multi-tasking, quick moving, Ipod listening information junkie, you might be more Y than you think.  2:22 PM •  0 Comments •

How to – Improve Your Networking and Improve Your Network If you want to improve and possibly expand your professional network, the best way is to hone the skills needed that create those connections in the first place. Although a few professionals think that meeting people and networking are synonymous, most of us know that this is simply not the case. In fact, how you network can mean the difference between being known and having a network that really works for you. And that difference is a big one.

Some tips for developing a successful professional network:

Go it alone – It’s easier to create an impression, develop rapport, and make a strong connection when you are alone and you connect to someone who is also alone. While it may seem as if a group provides some comfort, a person who is one their own is probably more pleased that you are interested in them and have taken the initiative to introduce yourself.

Think “who”, not where – Ask yourself “Who do I want to know?” Knowing “who” you would like to connect to and be aligned with will help you figure out where those folks hang out. There may be specific events, associations or conferences that they attend. Ask your existing connections if they know those people you hope to meet and if they can introduce you.

Focus – Shut off the phone, pager, or Blackberry. You don’t want to be distracted when you are making a first impression. Meeting them is the reason you are there, and it’s the most important thing you have to do. Don’t look around to see who else might be in the room or is trying to contact you when you are talking to someone. Plainly put - it’s rude.

What could you do for them – Do what you can for your new contact. Send them an article that might dovetail with their interests, provide information about meetings they might be interested in attending, suggest books they should read, or other people they should know. If you think highly of them – refer them (a lot). Relationships happen with shared experiences and their foundation is built on trust.

Strength is quality, not quantity – Sometimes the people you would most like to meet aren’t attending the events where you might meet them. Ever wonder why? They are strengthening their existing network, not focusing on creating a larger one! Make sure you give plenty of referrals and information to the folks in you network who are credible, competent, and ethical. A good networking partner practices reciprocity.

A good network is a lot like a good garden. You don’t just throw some seeds out in the dirt and hope for the best. If you want to see good things develop, you check on your plants or vegetables with regularity, pull weeds, provide food, and nurture and care for them as they grow and thrive. The same can be said for your professional network.  9:16 AM •  0 Comments •

How to - Manage Others If managing other people well was easy, people would have lots of stories about great managers who not only get work done through others but inspire, motivate and develop talent so that those employees are able to accomplish and surpass the goals and objectives that have been set.

If you are having trouble getting a group or team of people to be more effective, than it could mean that you need a refresher in the key aspects of managing others. While there is an art to being an effective manager, there is also a structured science that you should be applying to your art.

• Good managing starts with good planning. Good work usually starts with a clear and well articulated goal. Once you know where you are going you can devise the best route to that destination. Examine the resource you will need as well as the resources you are lacking and then figure out how you will acquire the missing. Not only should you review the likely scenario; some time should be spent thinking about worst case scenarios and developing a back up plan should those occur. And ask the people who will be involved in the work that needs to be accomplished. Don’t overlook this valuable resource when crafting the best plan for the goal
• Once you know what you want to do, get organized. Do you have the right people involved? Do they have the right training and skills to get the work done? Will people get what they need in time to use it properly? If you are handing work off to another group, will they be ready to receive it at the right time? Do your homework and make sure that everything is available when it is needed. Be clear and communicate to people what their role is in the overall success and goal accomplishment
• Tell people what they need to do. Like a movie director, your job is to provide direction, let people know when to start, stop, come in, how to act, and when to exit. You’ve hired the actors, arranged for the props, costumes and set, and provided the script. Now get their attention. Say, “Action”, and provide direction.
• Oversee the process. Keep an eye on what’s going on and make sure it’s going according to plan. If it isn’t, guide things back on course. If a problem occurs, review your contingency plan. The manager needs to always be aware of what is going on so adjustments can be made. If something needs to be fixed, resources should be organized to make things work out well.

Managing people can be a rewarding challenge although it’s rarely easy. Managers that do an outstanding job improve their efforts with lots of practice.  7:47 AM •  0 Comments •