Millennials at Work

Yesterday's Diane Rehm Show had a fascinating topic: Millennials In Today's Workforce. Find a link at http://goo.gl/qxot1x. The discussion of the merits and demerits of this dominate group in business was fascinating. Their self-perceptions and the impressions they impart on others are further explored in another website at http://goo.gl/2RVmKE.

I will admit that this is not my personal age group. You'll have to try and figure out what that may be for yourself. But I do know about the challenges I have had in using and accommodating these people.

Their parents deserve some credit (and blame) for making them both smart and demanding. Now we, as employers, have the opportunity to use those "smarts", while figuring out how to cope with the "demands". It's a little bit like being parents again - This time with someone else's children.

I will admit that I have found the sense of entitlement somewhat irritating. At the same time, I find stimulation in the willingness to adopt technology. I wish I were a better thumb typist.

What will the workplace be like twenty to thirty years from now, as the Millennials have to deal with with their offspring? It'll be fun to watch.

Is It Finally Over?

The recession, that is.

My wife said "Let's go see the windows." To a New Yorker, this means looking at the creative store displays at Barneys, Saks, Macy's, and others. "Sure", I said.

OK, I have to admit there was some real artistry in a few of the locations. But another display left an equally strong impression: the enormous crowds. The seas were nearly impossible to part at times. What were all these people doing?

Even though the jostling was intense, spirits seemed light (at least by New York standards). Our visit was after Christmas. But, shopping was still going on; and people seemed please to be out and about.  Not so much, I would guess, if you were agoraphobic, perhaps.

While I may admit to some phobias, that's not one.

I had a sense, though, that sometime last year we may have turned some sort of corner in our economy. Fighting your way through pedestrian traffic may not be the best way to describe or sense this, but why not. It's as real as any economist's mumbo-jumbo to me.

Wouldn't it be nice to see this in our livelihoods? Maybe with just a little less elbowing.

Cool Classmates!

For the last month or so, PBS stations have been broadcasting a new show which examines noteworthy new architecture. You may not always agree with host Stephen Chung's appraisals (I sure don't), but the analysis is intelligent and very well considered. Check it out.

But also, check this out. In just four weeks, two of the featured architects are college classmates. Isaac Franco of Safdie Associates and Paul Zajfen of CO Architects were with me back then - in what was a very small group. We graduated only 30 souls, and not all of us went into architecture. Heck - one went straight to seminary to become an Anglican priest.  My guess is that the show now has selected about 10% of those who became traditional design architects for praise.

I'm jealous perhaps. But, more to the point - I'm proud. Isaac & Paul, you have reaffirmed that we were a special group. As if I didn't know already.

On the Waterfront

If you read my blog posting about Visceral Connections back in January, you know that I am affected by my environment. I also tried to justify how this relates to a refined notion of what constitutes a valuable and legitimate "sense of place".

It's happening again.

This weekend, my wife and I are staying with friends in Cohoes, New York. Now, sitting on their second floor deck barely 30 feet from the banks of the Hudson River, I'm at peace. Calm waters, chirping birds, swimming turtles, gentle nearby wind chimes, walking dogs, and other sights and sounds of nature flood my senses. Alone on the deck, I am sipping a wonderful wine, and enjoying the moment. It was just too good to keep to myself.

If you're lucky (as I am today), you will have similar moments. If you're especially lucky, and maybe a little skilled, you might figure out how to make this possible for others. You'll have my eternal admiration if you can.

The world seems like a better place right at the moment.  Thank you Ellice and Fred.

I'm a Tipster!

I couldn't be more proud.

A few years ago, I was asked by a client to help with preparation for an important interview. I wasn't the only person asked to help. Alongside me I was Joanne Linowes. This was my introduction to a person with great insight on what it takes to make people and their companies stand out in presentation and interview settings.

I learned a great deal from the experience; and so too did our client, I believe.

Subsequent to that encounter, Joanne started a weekly newsletter she calls "Tip on the Tenth". I suggest you get yourself on the mail list right away. Head to http://goo.gl/RKEXqi.

But, why am I proud? Each month, she asks a question about presentation techniques to test your insight. If you're right, she lauds you in the the ensuing month. This month, I won. What a thrill.

You should see how lucky you could be. In any event, it's certain you'll learn some good stuff.

The Future - Maybe

Many social scientists, proud parents, and other hangers-on have commented on the tech-savviness of our younger generation. It's gotten to the point, it seems, that this is an axiom - more than an opinion.

If ever you wanted evidence, I think I have an example. Look above. Two iPhones and an iPad in the hands of three unsupervised children were being skillfully manipulated. Heck - one of the kids was so small, she had to stretch the tether below the counter. No banging, no whining, no complaints. It was a fascinating display.

One neat thing that had nothing to do with their aptitude though... When mom and dad were done with their business and were ready to leave, the kids calmly put back the toys and moved out. One can only hope that too might be a sign of future life. Not likely, I suspect.