How Could We Rely on Young People to Think If They Don’t Read?
In a Wall Street Journal editorial this week, Peter Funt, of "Candid Camera" fame, tells of surveying a class on college media about their reading habits. When asked, two students of forty indicated that they read a daily print newspaper. When he expanded the question to include on-line newspaper sites, a total of five hands were up. In asking where they get their news, he was told that the "important stuff" is relayed by text, tweet, and other social media. The question is in what depth and with what nuance?
Many of the challenges we face today can be traced directly to the shallowness of the news produced. USA began this trend in the early eighties and the impatience of digital media has perpetuated the belief that any issue, regardless of its complexity, can be reduced to a couple hundred words.
Read the rest of the article on the Generations Blog.
With Mobile Learning, There is an App for That!
Mobile devices are changing the way companies operate. Initially thought to be distractions, mobile devices are gaining attention for their capacity to provide workers access to just-in-time information and resources that not only improve worker productivity while on the job, but also helps to foster interactions that speed the transfer of knowledge, and improve overall learning.
Mobile apps are gaining favor as there are thousands of apps instantly available for virtually all job functions and careers. The benefit is their speed and portability. According to a Mashable study, more than half of the 82% of U.S. adult cell phone users now use apps on their phones, and more than two-thirds of them use those apps regularly.
With the ability to download directly to SmartPhones or Tablets, mobile apps 1) improve performance by providing instant access to information and resource tools; 2) provide instant, direct-line communication that increases interactions between users and experts; 3) provide companies a cost-efficient process for uploading photos, videos or information files.
As techno-tolerant workers continue to enter the workforce, and seasoned workers adopt these tools, apps will compliment then begin to replace practices that include training manuals, charts, file storage systems, and IT support. How are companies using mobile apps?
- Structured Training: Training teams have the ability to poll, quiz or survey participants via an app during training sessions or team meetings. This can greatly increase retention, knowledge and skills.
- Hands-On Learning: Field workers benefit from instant access to "how to" manuals, demo videos, and internet search browsers for on-the-job training, or to expand their knowledge in real-time.
- Integrated Networks: The ability to connect with other employees through an intranet, internet or social networking is valuable. Customized apps create opportunities for companies to build channels to instantly transfer information, network with peers, and gain direct and instant feedback.
As an exercise, take a minute to Google search apps by job function or category, career classifications, or industry-specific resources. Search general "apps for (insert profession)" or specific "MAC apps for graphic designers". You’ll be surprised by what you find. Companies embracing mobile apps will enhance individual learning and retention, improve on-the-job performance, and provide instant access to unlimited information and a higher level of global connectivity.
Contributed by Shawnna Silvius 
eVentures Marketing
Case Study
I manage sponsorships and resources sales for a large association. About six months ago, I had a young employee thrust on me by human resources when I was taking too long to find someone to fill a position. In certain ways, she does a great job. She’s a hard worker, a whiz at organizing projects and willing to spend the hours it takes to get short-notice projects accomplished. At the same time, her communication style with co-workers is brusque, almost demanding. This has put a lot of people off.
She, in turn, has become afraid of approaching people for fear that they’ll give her a negative response. I don’t have the time to run interference between she and the rest of the team. We have had several conversations about how she might modify her approach, but she is quiet to begin with and seems hesitant to implement my suggestions. While she is not someone I would have hired, I’d hate to out her out on the street because she doesn’t "work and play well with others." Your thoughts?
The solutions to this are: time, patience, some specific words or phrases and empathy. Let’s take them in reverse order. First, empathy. Effective communication is the result of a person’s ability to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. This young lady may be a hard working, well-organized whiz. But I wonder how much time she has taken to place herself in the shoes of those with whom she must communicate. Encourage her to invest in these relationships by connecting with colleagues on more than just business issues. Simply taking a few minutes to "chat people up" and learn about their challenges and situation will engender more friendly relations. I realize that she is a quiet soul, but this will be essential to her success.
Second, words and phrases. The range of ways in which people communicate is endless. Sadly, digital technology and the pressure to do more with less is forcing us to abandon much of our verbal nuance. This individual may have never learned this verbal nuance. While she may think nothing of it, her off-hand informality and colloquialisms have probably brushed some workplace veterans the wrong way. With some instruction on your part, or perhaps a class or two, she can develop a more diplomatic vocabulary that older co-workers will find more acceptable.
Third, patience. As with her peers, this young lady has come of age in the most stimulating and impatience times anyone has ever experienced. Couple this with the general sense of overwhelm that most people feel these days, and we can understand why she might grow impatient with responses to e-mails and voice mails that seem to take forever. Counsel her to be patient and diplomatic rather than direct and demanding. If this is her natural style, she will require some coaching.
Finally, time. As much as we would like it to, this situation will not change overnight. If she is fearful of approaching her colleagues, it will take time for her to grow in the confidence she needs to develop more positive relationships. It will also take time for those who have been offended to warm to her again. All of this will take perseverance on both your parts, but I’m sure there will be a successful outcome.
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