Month: May 2014

Don’t Call Me

Please don’t think I’m rude, but if you call me, I’m not likely to answer the phone unless I was expecting your call.

PhoneI’m not going to answer because often you are calling when I am in the middle of something, but there is no way for you to know that.

So rather than sounding irritated when I answer the phone, I simply don’t answer and let it go to voice mail. I find this quite helpful.

If you are a reporter, I want to hear your message so I can identify the information you require. I have even set my voice mail message to include my email address to make it easier for reporters to make their request.

Emails work better for me because if I am in a meeting and there is a break, I can quickly check my emails and usually respond. Otherwise, it might be another hour or two until I return to my desk, and the person who is calling might need something much more quickly.

If you are a salesperson, once I have listened to the message I can determine if I am interested in the product and schedule a convenient time for both of us to talk.

If you are relaying information, then once I hear the message, I have the information and I can finish the project that required the information.

What are your thoughts on telephone interruptions?

Bringing Trends to Life

Knowing about the next big trend is not enough.

Instead you need to look at the trends and how they converge with consumer behavior, technology and the business landscape.

DeeDee Gordon, president of Sterling Brands, shared how you can imagine a future you can act on today at a recent American Marketing Association meeting in Richmond, Va.

Gordon is a renowned consumer insight and trends expert who has been at the leading edge of trend research for more than 15 years. “I have a problem,” she told the audience. “I am a trends junkie. I love to bring them to life.”

One trend she identified is metromorphis, the future of how we live and play. “It’s a fancy way of saying urbanization,” she said.

With more people living in a crowded environment, there is an emphasis on how individuals can have access to clean, healthy air. (Slide from DeeDee Gordon presentation)

With more people living in a crowded environment, there is an emphasis on how individuals can have access to clean, healthy air. (Slide from DeeDee Gordon presentation)

With more people living in a crowded environment, for example, there is an emphasis on how individuals can have access to clean, healthy air.

Because trends often don’t feel tangible, Gordon said her company embarks on a vigorous process to identify the trends. That includes placing the trend against a set of criteria. Trends must percolate within the culture for three to five years and must happen in both suburbs and rural locations, she said.

To show a trend’s true value, she said, you have to contextualize it within a business environment.

Looking at the intersections of cultural and global trends, consumer insights, new technology and the business landscape, her company is able to find opportunity spaces, which she said leads to big ideas.

In studying urban wellness for a client, for example, her company identified several opportunities, including a refresher box, which is similar to a phone booth, but when a person enters it the filtered air is fortified with essential nutrients.

Gordon said trends are always better supported by business technology and consumer insights. She also stressed, “It’s important to learn from others and to collaborate. Think big but keep yourself grounded.”

5 Things to Do to Help Orient a New Employee

When a new employee joins your team, are you prepared to help them succeed? We all know the value of introducing the person to key people. That’s a good start, but don’t forget some other crucial ways to help orient a new employee.

Introductions. Don’t overwhelm the newest member of your team on the first day. Instead, let her get to know the immediate team. Take her out to lunch so she can get to know her colleagues in a relaxed setting. Later in the week and throughout the first month (depending on the size of your organization), introduce her to employees in other areas. This will allow her to connect names, faces and functions.

Meetings. Be sure the person has been sent the invitation for key standing meetings. A new employee will acclimate more quickly when he knows about projects, issues and deadlines.

Organization chart. Include the person’s title, email, phone number and high-level area of responsibility. Even better, include a photo and details about where the person’s office is located.

Publications. What publications should the new hire read? Save the last one or two issues so the person can read them in the first week or so. He will be able to familiarize himself with some of the industry issues.

Passwords. Ensure the person has passwords to any databases or online services that you use.