The Passionate Voice

Processing Random Thoughts

• Career, Lifestyle

I’ve found this week to be draining for some odd reason. I alluded to this yesterday on Instagram.

I’m not sure if its the lingering hangover from Daylight Savings time or a flurry of ideas that are sitting in my brain. Regardless, that aching feeling of wanting to get the ideas out is enervating. I shared the photo of paint splatter as a way to try and capture what I {think} my brain looks like on the inside right now. I was glad to hear from other on instagram who could relate.

And so, to find a solution, I figured I would share some of these random thoughts. The thoughts that are swirling around in my head. Expect some blog posts to come from these:

Positivity. This is the basis to the world functioning better. There can’t be enough of it in the world and I’ll admit, some days, the realist in me sets in more than the optimist. I’m not sure if research supports this (send me any papers you find if it does!!) but am I wrong in saying that millennial’s seem more positive than baby boomers (cue the tomato throwing now, I’ll duck). It is so refreshing (regardless of age) when you sit down at a table and have a meeting or conversation and sharing of ideas when it is all positive. Positivity, or the lack there of sometimes, is why I sometimes question if more millennials are not pursuing careers in the sector I work in, Agriculture. So many thoughts on these two ideas – millennials being more positive and positivity within the sector I work in and how millennials view it.

Millennials. In keeping on this same topic, I am one. A millennial. I talk about them a lot here on the ol’ blog. And they seem to be a conversation starter. Scratch that, its all people have been talking about for the last 5 years or so, since it became apparent that we as a generation weren’t going away. When people recognized that we’re going to leave a profound impact on this world and not to mention, we have surpassed baby boomers as the largest generation now. Well, at least in the US according to this article. Millennials seems to be at the forefront of many of the conversations within my social circles and network recently for some reason. Especially when it comes to career conversations. Things like the role of millenials on Boards; what millennials value that differs from baby boomers; and is the workplace ready to evolve to these values. Either way, I have lots to say from my experience (both professionally and personally) so look forward to blog posts upcoming!

Motherhood. Is it OK to feel that you want to go back to work earlier than expected once you realize your baby can now breathe, eat and sleep on his own and perhaps doesn’t need you like he use too? Blake’s crawling away from me tells me that he is going to be just fine come May (his first birthday). Also child care, why doesn’t anyone talk about the beast that is finding child care? :S

Personal Brand. Ok, one more millennial thought. It seems that every millennial has or wants too establish their own personal brand along with maintaining their role/jobs within a company in their 9 to 5 job. This can be done, but with a bit of sacrifice on the millennials part and the company depending on expectations. Where previous workers/generation were so loyal to their company’s brand, are workplaces ready for this millennial “selfishness” as I’ve heard it called? And even more, are workplaces OK with millennial’s side hustles perhaps taking the spotlight away from the work millennial’s do in their 9-5’s?!

Creativity overload. As a creative entrepreneur, how do my fellow CE’s quiet your thoughts? How do you stop, or should I say, harness, the creative ideas waterfall that can come on the most random days? Do you write everything down on paper and pen? Put it in your iPhone notebook? How do you orgnaiz the thoughts? How do you tell your brain right at bedtime to stop thinking and put the ideas to rest? Literally. I would love to hear your tips!

Productivity. I am almost done this book and it is hands down, one of the best books I’ve read in a while. An easy, simple yet thought-provoking read, it has calmed my mind as a women but also fueled my motivation to want to do better, but in a more efficient way. Grab your copy, you won’t be disappointed!

[Photo Source]

Social Media as the New Receptionist

• Communication, Social Media

Ironically, I had written this post before a client meeting earlier this week but after the conversation we had, this post became even more relevant to share.

The client I was speaking with was amazed at how social media is now an expectation by many of their customers. So much so, they’ve finally decided it is time they hop aboard the social media train and embrace it to help their brand and be where their clients are and want them to be. I shared the following analogy with them that I had written weeks ago but hadn’t hit publish on quite yet:

If you walk into any company or building, chances are you are greeted by a friendly receptionist who welcome you.

He or she sets the tone for how you feel about that company/business as soon as you enter the building based on first impressions of this person alone.

The role of a receptionist in business is a staple for some, or an expectation for most. 

You would most likely think it was weird if you walked into a head office and wasn’t greeted by anyone, right?

Similar to our expectation of receptionists as the first front-facing person for companies and businesses, our expectations have now extended to a brand’s presence on social media. Social media is the new receptionist. 

A lot of people can relate to this receptionist idea and the expectation when it comes to social media.

You go on any given social media channel expecting that the company you are searching for will be online and they aren’t. Your surprised at how a company of say their size, specialty or consumer engagement base isn’t on social media.

Or how many times have you searched a CEO, General Manager or a thought leader on say Twitter and were surprised that they weren’t engaging on social media?!

Imagine the feedback and engagement they are missing out on and the opportunities missed in showcasing their product or service and simply, their brand, both as a company and as the spokesperson and figure head for the company.

The expectation of having social media channels can be a hard adjustment for many companies and businesses to come to terms with, especially because of the many unknowns around social media:

  • The platforms are ever-evolving and changing;
  • Its hard to keep up with the technology and lingo;
  • Many companies don’t know where to begin with social media; and
  • Many businesses struggle with how to budget for social media (hire an in-house person or outsource?) and what investment is required for the social media platforms they need to reach their intended audience of loyal customers.

With millennials now the largest generation in the Canadian workforce, companies, businesses and brands need to realize that like the receptionist that is expected as soon as you enter the front doors of your head office, having a presence on social media as a brand, company or business is the new expectation of doing business in the 21st century.

“Having a presence on social media as a brand, company or business is the new expectation of doing…

Click To Tweet

This is true not only for the millennial generation but for people from all generations who use social media to engage both personally and professionally. Most people who want to check out a product to potentially purchase; share a customer service experience; ask questions; get their news; or engage and network within their industry, go to social media now as their primary source of information.

Its something to seriously consider if you are on the fence as to whether your brand should embrace social media or not.. get with the times and hire your online receptionist because chances are, it is expected of your brand.

P.S. Thanks for those asking and inquiring, the baby still hasn’t arrived but we appreciate the kind words, thoughts and positive vibes 🙂 #Overdue

[Photo Source]

Making a Difference: Gen Y as the Global Generation

• Agriculture, Career, Communication, Inspiration, Leadership, Making a Difference

Time and time again, I hear people of different generations say how the ‘new generation’ of youth, known as “Generation Y,” are very intrinsically driven. They only think of themselves; they are selfish; they are spoiled, etc. I have to admit, even though I am a “Gen Y/Millennial” myself, I’ve noticed and event caught myself commenting on the not so complimentary character traits of my own generation.

Making a Difference - Gen Y as the Global Generation

Following my post “A Generation with a Bold Approach,’ this article written a while back by author Lindsey Pollack, caught my attention. Pollack, referring to Gen Y’s as “the Global Generation,” highlights that our generation, more than any other generation before us, has an international awareness of wanting to know about the rest of the world; how it operates; wanting to experience other cultures; and having a “sense of duty” for the world in which we live in.

Another article published by fellow social media strategist Lina Duque discussed the reasons why millennials are making great executives in the corporate world. The first reason she listed was because we care about “the why.” It isn’t necessarily the end goal that we have in mind, its more about the means in which we get to the end goal that motivates our generation. More simply put, we care more about the ‘journey’ rather than the ‘destination.’

It is this sense of duty, pride and ultimate care for the world in which we live in that separates us and makes us millennials, the true ‘global generation’ of all generations thus far. We have been fortunate to have the means to travel, to explore, to go to places that our parents and grandparents never had the chance to visit at such a young age. Its because of the ‘why’ we’re seeing many Gen Y/Millennials try and find a “work-life balance” approach to life because we want everything to be harmonious in our lives. We want to be in jobs and careers where we feel we are making a difference while helping to leave a lasting impression in the world.

It is an amazing time right now for Gen Y’s and I am excited for the opportunities ahead but also, to see what type of legacy we leave as a generation on the world. Do you personally think Gen-Y’s and Millennials are destined for success? Do you think they are helping with positive global change? Or do you believe Gen Y/Millennials are a generation that doesn’t have what it takes to make a difference?

[Photo Source]

A Generation with a Bold Approach

• Communication, Inspiration, Leadership, Making a Difference, Public Speaking

A Generation with a Bold Approach

I attended an Annual General Meeting earlier this spring where a person belonging to the boomer generation (people born between 1945-1965) referred to Generation Y/Millennials as BOLD. Not bold referenced in a bad way, but bold as a compliment to the approach millennails are taking on life. I hadn’t heard this word associated with our generation, a generation I belong too, but thought it appropriately fit. And with that inspiration in mind, the following quote was born from yours truly:

Bolder Approach Quote.jpg

As my quote reflects, in order to fully benefit from the bold approach we want to take as a generation, we must ensure we appreciate those who blazed the trail before us.  If you think of what those from generations before us went through to set the tone in which our generation is benefiting from, it is tremendous. It was a series of tweets from fellow agricultural advocates who were at the same conference I was at, that stuck a chord with me. I was reminded of what generations before us experienced:

  • Traditionalists experienced the Great Depression and world wars while women, for the first time entered the workforce
  • Boomers saw the civil rights movement and women became more independent
  • Gen Xer’s experienced higher divorce rates and TV channels like MTV introduced the trend in TV ‘shock value’ culture
  • Millennials/Gen Yer’s have been introduced to technology and social media while being raised in highly publicized world events like 9/11

I am thankful for that those that went before us and led the way. I think we, the bold generation, need to remind ourselves of this often. Without the generations before us, we wouldn’t be able to be the bold generation we are and nothing would be possible for us.