PPPPathways for Progress (Four Ps #223)
Vital Voting, Texting Teens, Connecting Channels, and Learning to Lead
Happy Election Day, friends. Can't wait to see your "I Voted" stickers all over Instagram today. It's practically a fashion statement now.
So I do hope you make it a priority (here’s where to vote), and that your companies support your voting responsibilities. Unless you're recently unemployed, in which case... fuck them, am I right?
THE POLITICAL: Local Elections, Big Impact
Every year since we moving to the suburbs (we enter our 11th year out here, wow!), I've voted before dawn. Today was no exception.
This is one of the most important years for local elections, at least in my area. In local elections, every vote counts. And now that I'm back, I'll be out early and hitting the text chains and social media groups to get out the vote and emphasize why it matters.
Local elections might not have the glamour of presidential races, but they're where the real power brokers emerge. You know those pesky potholes that make your daily commute feel like an obstacle course? Well, local elections determine who's in charge of fixing those. They also dictate our property taxes, which can be the difference between eating at a fancy restaurant or a budget-friendly food truck.
And your vote is like the secret sauce. With fewer people participating, your voice carries more weight. It's like being the only one with a microphone in a karaoke night.
Here on Long Island, we have contentious town and county seats up for grabs, and many of those seats have turned increasingly from blue to red over the last 4-6 years. Other contentious issues include traffic congestion and environmental protections. We've had issues with anti-semitism, racial intolerance, public transportation, rising pension costs and declining state aid, inflationary expenses, gerrymandering... yet we're an economic hub for Nassau County, necessitating pro-business policies. But I also have no interest in supporting anyone who believes that AR-15s should be sold at Walmart (or anywhere).
Also, I live in the NY-3, the congressional district currently being represented by mega liar and criminal George Santos, so this year's election is a local election is like the trailer for the 2024 blockbuster with presidential and congressional races up for grabs everywhere. It's where you can gauge the mood of the audience and see if they're up for a sequel or want a change in the script.
So, go out there, cast your vote, and make your community a better place. But if you plan on voting with the dark side, maybe sit this one (or the next few) out.
THE PERSONAL: The Complex World of Teen Group Texts
A few years ago, just as my pre-teen son was getting his first mobile phone, he was exposed to some highly inappropriate (illegal) content through friends. He knew enough to alert us to the issue, but it opened our eyes to the risks associated with apps that you (and previously I) take for granted.
We immediately removed search and web browsers from his phone and installed an app called Bark that flags inappropriate content, established periods of downtime. You might think that "kids will be kids," but the trauma and damage that could be inflicted would have permanent repercussions, and I'm not willing to take any chances.
He's a great kid, but not all of his friends' parents are as careful as we are. And the biggest source of stress, both his and ours, is group texts. They're out of control, and I don't think parents truly understand the extent of the issue. Thanks to Bark, we see the range of mildly inappropriate humor to outright discriminatory and crude commentary to even dangerously violent threats.
My son knows not to engage, but at least once a week, my wife or I find ourselves in a conversation with him about why something someone said was wrong... or beyond wrong. We've even had conversations with other parents.
In the age of modern teenage group texts, it's like entering a labyrinth of ever-changing rules, where deciphering the etiquette is as complex as his math homework. Imagine you're a parent, and your kid is deeply immersed in these group chats. One moment, it's all about the unspoken rules: "Don't flood the chat with messages," "Think before you text, it might get screenshotted," "Silence might mean you're excluded, or there's a secret chat," and "Sharing your location can be a double-edged sword." It's a mix of cryptic guidelines and digital minefields.
You might laugh at the absurdity of it all. But beneath the humor lies a genuine concern. My kid is navigating the treacherous waters of teen social dynamics, trying to keep up with the ever-shifting tides. As a parent, you wonder if your teen is in a group chat with a handful of close friends or in a massive chatroom with 20 others. In the former, they might chat freely about their day, fashion choices, and funny TikToks. In the latter, it's more like a photo album with comments – a digital collage of memes, photos, and reactions.
It’s an issue that extends to social media usage, as well. No surprise that 81% of U.S. adults – versus 46% of teens – favor parental consent for minors to use social media.
And if your teen becomes detached from the group chat, it's not just a matter of ignoring messages. It's like slowly fading from a social circle. The group chat reflects the health of their friendships; emptiness in the chat mirrors distance in real life. Sometimes, your teen may choose to leave or get kicked out of the group chat. It's like exiting a conversation that no longer sparks joy. And if they want back in, they can ask a friend to grant them access, much like knocking on the door of an exclusive club.
Kid or adult, the cardinal rule of any digital conversation - text, chats, or social post: Nothing is sacred. Everything you text could be screenshotted, scrutinized, and commented upon. It's as if every word you say is written in indelible ink, etched in the digital annals of history. And as my wife likes to tell her teenage patients, "Never post or share anything that you wouldn't want your parents, teachers, best friend, worst enemy, or a police officer to see... or that you would be embarrassed to see on the front page of a newspaper.
THE PODCAST: JOE STAPLES
Joe Staples, the CCO and a partner at Mother, joined The Snarketing Podcast for a right-brain exploration about the ideal environment for ideation, client experiences, his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and how experimenting with a bus stop bench outside his office keeps his team fresh, innovative, and honest.
THE PROFESSIONAL: Marketing Transition Supercedes Transformation in 2024
Improving brand loyalty will be a priority for marketers over the next 18-36 months. Acquisition costs are out of control, A.I. and influencers are eroding consumer trust. And opportunities with new tech platforms and solutions are rapidly accelerating.
We’re seeing two concurrent yet converging themes:
Current brand loyalty programs are flawed and require a scalable, future-proof solution.
Blockchain technology is brimming with practical opportunities that are genuine, lucrative, and advantageous.
Yet most marketers aren't prepared for a full-fledged plunge into Web3-based loyalty programs. Start-up and early brands without established frameworks and tools have an opportunity to skip ahead, but barketers at established brands and agencies must prioritize bolstering their existing channels and infrastructure first.
Bringing these two approaches together in one, "Connected Loyalty" transcends the confines of traditional loyalty programs. It takes into account the dynamic shifts in culture and technology, adapting to changing consumer behaviors, expectations, and the potential within existing channels. It commences with solidifying the connections between 1st party websites, apps, point-of-sale systems, and CRM databases. These fundamental elements should underpin your loyalty strategy no matter where you start or what you already have.
Once these pillars are in place, it's time to expand gradually. You can incorporate social engagement, e-commerce integration, in-person events, media collaborations, and partnerships with other platforms. Encourage sharing on TikTok, tagging on Instagram, ordering from your favorite restaurants through various delivery apps, or even streaming music from an artist who also serves as a spokesperson for a major credit card company. This represents the initial step of collaborative interoperability that doesn't require blockchain. It's a transitional approach, enabling a seamless shift toward more extensive consumer engagement.
Only after establishing a robust foundation should you consider introducing tokens and blockchain interoperability. These cutting-edge technologies can elevate the customer experience and provide fresh opportunities for interaction and rewards.
This strategic shift will pave the way for more profound and enduring customer loyalty. It's more in line with a Web 2+ approach than a full-fledged leap into Web3. Want to try it out for yourself? Check out the Partner Perks membership club!
For more, I hope you can join for my live webinar on the topic: Dec 6, 1pm ET.
Click to learn more, register, save the date, and join.
THE PRACTICAL: Leadership Without Management
I was both blessed and cursed with being in a management position at a relatively young and inexperienced age. By the age of 26, I was managing a team of 7 or 8 people, some of them older than me. Today, nearly two decades later, I manage exactly zero people. In between, I've been responsible for teams of nearly 100 people, had one direct report, been a solo practitioner, a start-up co-founder... and just about everything in between.
And you know what I've learned? You don't need to be a manager to be a leader. Waiting for formal authority to lead and make a positive impact in the workplace is the fast track to nowhere. Some other thoughts on this topic:
Leadership Without Authority: Waiting for permission or formal managerial roles can limit your potential for making a difference at work. I've seen people start leading and driving change from every position within the organization.
Building Relationships: Genuine (I almost wrote the dreaded "authent...") and mutually beneficial relationships with coworkers are crucial when you're not a manager, department head, or capability lead. Instead of trying to control more people or resources, focus on building trust and collaboration.
Identify Problems: The first step in leading without being a manager is to identify problems that are negatively affecting work. By addressing these issues, you can demonstrate leadership qualities.
Generosity and Care: Show your coworkers that you care about their well-being and success by being generous and offering help without expecting immediate returns. "Givers" who are generous with their resources tend to be more successful in their careers.
Empowerment and Inclusion: To drive change, let's embrace and empower employees at all levels by involving them in decision-making and seeking their feedback.
Feedback and Coaching: True leaders provide candid feedback and coaching to their colleagues, even if it may be uncomfortable. I used to hate reviews, even informal check-ins. They scared me as both a manager and an employee. Now I truly value them. Radical candor, asking for permission, and offering feedback in a constructive way are essential for improvement.
Celebration and Positivity: Celebrating coworkers' achievements, no matter how small, can boost morale and productivity. But not everyone appreciates recognition in the same way. It takes real situational awareness to recognize your coworkers in a way that suits their preferences, whether through public praise or private messages.
Team Effort: Leading change often requires collaboration with a core group of people who share the same goals. Empowering others to become leaders is essential for driving lasting change in an organization.
Thanks for reading to the end, as always. Four is a lot of Ps, but they are hand-crafted, human-generated, never AI-fed or even edited (hence the typos). But I’ll try to do better next time. Until then…