I just read the Pew Research report on the Millennials.  The workplace today is quite a challenge on so many levels and incorporating the newest generation of employees appears to be most challenging.

The Millennials may not consider their job the most important element of their lives but a strong alignment of core values could draw them into your workforce with an engagement level that would benefit all!  But you would have to acknowledge their lifestyle choices.  Parenting (although only 1 in five are married) is their top priority followed by having a successful marriage.

Could you as an employer truly create an environment of  work-life balance?   Fortune Magazine’s Top 100 Best Companies to Work For measures this attribute as signficant in identifying these top-notch companies. Perhaps you feel you have already addressed this issue, but in our multi-generational workforce, an improvement in balancing work and family may not meet the needs of this group. 

To be realistic, as the Silent Generation continues to retire, and the Boomers work on until they can’t anymore, you are going to be hiring the Millennials. So why not begin to address what makes them tick, how your company can attract and retain them, and how alignment of core values can create a powerful and winning situation for all involved.

Let’s take a poll.  If you are a Millennial (18-29 years old only), please share your top priority in life.

Do you feel you are spending much too much time on your social networks? I love this new technology and truly have benefitted from its connectivity of people of like minds.

But let’s be honest, no matter how much time we dedicate or procrastinate with our social networks we still must keep our face to face networking skills worthy of a gold medal. (Sorry, still dreaming Olympic dreams or should I say, daydreams.)  We still have to meet and greet people every day.  And when you do meet someone, you only have a few minutes to make a lasting impression. Remember the famous quote, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”  And so, that first impression better be a good one!

Recently, I was asked to be the speaker for one of my networking groups, not talking about my business or my journey, but to lead the group in some networking activities. Creating interactive meetings with well-defined outcomes and take-aways is one of my expertise.  I had fun creating the session and participants left with actionable materials to improve their self-marketing.  My 45 minute session is “The M&Ms of Networking!”

Quite simply, you have to make each meet and greet:

• Memorable
• Mutual
• Meaningful

If you follow these three easy to remember networking tips, you will improve your networking skills and use your networking time efficiently.

Do you have an opening line for networking?  If so, let’s hear it!  Leave your line in the comments and we can give you some feedback. Remember, you want it to be memorable. 

Here’s a quick tip:  your opening line is not your elevator speech.  Your elevator speech can follow after you have delivered your conversation starter line—your memorable opening line! 

Are you interested in learning more about successful networking techniques? Do you need a speaker for a meeting or conference on the topic of networking? 

Eileen is a networking coach, a communication strategist, a dog lover, a recycling expert, and a mother of the bride (read previous blog posts).  Contact her at eileen@wgroup.net and visit The W Group website to learn more about Eileen and The W Group.

Here it is, Thanksgiving, and it is time to reflect on what we are thankful for this past year.  I could share with you how my heart is full of love for my family and friends, because it is.  But it is more appropriate for me to share with you what I give thanks for on a professional level.   This year I want to reflect on how truly thankful I am for the web evolution and revolution.

I am thankful that there are groups on Twitter and on LinkedIn that connect me with like-minded professionals, asking and answering questions that help me grow.  I am thankful that subject matter experts are providing free webinars to share knowledge on social media, marketing, and networks that increase my ability to benefit from Web 2.0 and that allows me to share this new knowledge with clients; we play it forward and that is a really great gift.  I am thankful that conversations happen constantly on web sites and I can make better product choices prior to a purchase.  And I am thankful that restaurant reviews can make my dining experience more tasteful than tacky.

Yes, the new web works for me.  I am in touch with family and friends far and near through Facebook, I am up to date in real-time on what’s happening around the globe through Twitter and based on my research, it is only going to get better.

Open sourcing is allowing companies like Google to improve new products before they come to market.  Just visit the next evolution of Internet interaction at Google, entitled “Wave.” 

And I am thankful for competition and how it drives innovation.  Today Apple’s iPhone is the benchmark for smartphones, and all hand-held technology.  According to PC World, Apple has approved over 100,000 apps and I am thankful that almost 20,000 of them are free.  But wait, there’s more.  We are the recipient of better products because competition is healthy, and Joe Wilcox, from Betanews is predicting that Google’s Android will take the top stop in mobile devices in 2012. Imagine that!

How many of us could have predicted we would be in virtual conversations and in virtual communities 10 years ago?  I am thankful for creativity and thankful for progress.

Here are just some of my favorite sites and sources (in alpha order) of which I am thankful.

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Mashables
• Social Media Today
• Tweetstats
• Twitter

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?  Share your thoughts and hopes for social media’s future and what you appreciate about it today. Share your thoughts and thanks by leaving a comment. And thank you for reading my blogs.

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Eileen Weisman is a communication strategist, an on-going student of social media, a good listener, a walker, a recycling expert, a dog lover, and a mother of the bride (read previous posts to learn more). Contact The W Group to discuss opportunities for improving the listening environment within your company or organization.

Exclamation Point for Me!

If you read the title with an exclamation point was that because you are competent enough to be a “coach” to others, because you are “in the know” on how to use social media for a variety of purposes, and you are “in the know” on places to go, people to listen to regarding getting the most from social media.

Question Mark for Me!

And if you are in the question mark group, perhaps you are one of many who are struggling to understand social media. Asking questions like should I be engaging in social networking, or committing more time to online communities. Maybe you are wondering if there are really benefits to using it for your business. And maybe, just maybe, you are trying to put your arms around how to learn to use this new technology.

It’s All About the Conversation!

Whether you felt an exclamation point or you were hoping for a lesson on social media because of your questioning of this new world, here is the root of social media. It’s all in the conversation. I am challenging you, whichever side of the fence you are on, to join in conversation. Share your favorite websites, LinkedIn groups, people to follow on Twitter, etc. that have helped you grow in your knowledge on social media. For those of you wanting to join in but didn’t have anyone to ask, here is your chance! Post your questions. Let’s start talking about what works, what doesn’t, and try to help each other out by breaking down the barrier to social networking.

One request: please post your comments on this WordPress blog site where it asks you to “leave a comment/reply.”

It will be much easier to follow the conversations if they are all in one place.
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Eileen Weisman is a communication strategist, an on-going student of social media, good listener, a walker, a recycling expert, a dog lover, and a mother of the bride (read previous posts to learn more). Contact The W Group to discuss opportunities for improving the listening environment within your company or organization