WHAT KIND OF CEREAL ARE YOU?

The most amazing story appeared in the Thursday Styles section of the New York Times today (July 26, 2007), When Whippersnappers and Geezers Collide by Lisa Belkin. As Lisa states it, "summer is the season of culture shock in the working world, when the old guard comes face to face with the next wave of newcomers, and the result is something like lost tribes encountering explorers for the first time. . . . This is the first time in history that four generations -- those who lived through WW2, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y -- are together in the workplace." Translation: summer interns are present in the workplace . . . maybe even YOUR workplace!

In years past this article would have appeared in the Business section of nearly every newspaper or magazine. For me this is REALLY BIG! As an Image Manager, I've always thought that the way we observe, critique and manage business is through the eyes of (many varieties) of people. Management "Style", a manager's "style," and so on are words that have appeared in many books, articles and blogs that focus primarily on the "business" of business. It thrills me to see it appear in the appropriate place - the Style section.

Billy Warden (as Lisa's article continues), an account director at the marketing company Capstrat in North Carolina, made (what I know to be a true statement) . . ."'maybe in 10 years you'll get to state your expectations,' he said he told an intern, 'right now, you're a box of cereal and you're going to have to sell yourself and hope that someone decides to put you in their grocery cart and give you a try.'"

It may sound harsh . . .but, in my experience, it is true.

How does your "box of cereal" appear next to all the others? Isn't that a matter of taste? Aren't style and taste connected? What kind of company complements and informs your style - what kind of company honors your thoughts, your creative and innovative ideas, your passion for excellence . . .and, yes, even your time and energy? What kind of work experience makes you as a "brand" - tasteful?

"'They (interns) have an attitude toward work that looks like laziness and looks like impatience,' said Janice Smith, who leads the Ernst & Young seminar, carefully putting the best light on Gen Y qualities that are flummoxing managers, 'but they don't understand that's how it looks.'" Are the interns hearing too much of, "When I was your age . . ." Isn't this the same tug of war that goes on between genders, races, religions, and those with political and economic differences? Can I say (again) that understanding yourself and learning to connect with others is necessary in our fast-paced, impressionistic, constantly changing world.

This is what I do as an Image Manager. Connect you (and your personal "style" or "brand") with others who can help you reach the goals you've spent years generating.

Tonight I'm speaking to a group of interns from Wellesley College about such things as "style," and "taste." As a "boomer" myself, I will face the "Whippersnapper vs Geezer" factor . . . I can hardly wait to learn what they have to teach me about "Image."

I know I am not Apple Jacks, Fruit Loops, Granola, Oatmeal, Rice Krispies, Shredded Wheat, or Special K! I am definitely "SMART START" . . . as many of my clients tell me . . . "I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't known you." It's been lovely being in their grocery carts over the years!

What kind of cereal are you . . .and (what are/were) you like as an intern. Are you connecting? Or - just connected . . .? How many grocery carts are choosing (or have chosen) YOU?

View my website at www.suziewoodwardmorris.com for your "SMART START"!