We aren't whiny afterall...

So let's be honest: we ALL know there's a generation gap. Those who text without looking vs. those who fondly remember the rotary phone. You know which camp is yours.

And as a Millennial, I've put up with my fair share of snarky comments from co-workers, family and friends born pre-MTV's '81 launch. Worse yet, I've conceded the whining inherent with my tech-savvy, web-voyeuristic compatriots.

But I'm not taking it any more. Why? (you might ask... especially if you were born post-disco.)

Because I finally have research and The Economist on my side. Frankly if science and Brits are on-board, the rest of the critical, sardonic world should come around.

The Nov. 13th edition of The Economist ran a story profiling author Don Tapscott and singing the praises of the "net generation." Tapscott recently completed a study of 8,000 people in 12 countries born between 1978 and 1994 and has published his findings in a new book "Grown Up Digital."

His research shows a generation that is optimistic, entertaining and convincing. Tapscott argues, "The problem is not the net generation but befuddled baby-boomers, who once sang along with Bob Dylan that 'something is happening here, but you don’t know what it is', yet now find that they are clueless about the revolutionary changes taking place among the young."

Contrary to the claims that Wii, Facebook and the dreaded text message have robbed today’s young of the ability to think, Tapscott believes that “Net Geners” are the “smartest generation ever”. Yup. That's right. The smartest generation ever.

Tapscott identifies eight "norms" that make this generation so smart:

• We value freedom and choice in everything they do.
• We love to customize and personalize.
• We scrutinize everything.
• We demand integrity and openness, including when deciding what to buy and where to work.
• We want entertainment and play in work and education, as well as social life.
• We love to collaborate.
• We expect everything to happen fast.
• And we expect constant innovation.

Since innovation is a big part of my daily life, I found the eighth Net Gen norm to be great news, though not surprising. “These empowered young people are beginning to transform every institution of modern life.” With financial crisis and global climate change, I think we all hope this transformation is in the near future.

Now neither Tapscott's research (nor I) make any excuses for the group of Millennial celebrities and everyday idiots out there making indiscrete choices and posting them online. But let's be fair, those choices aren't new. Just more widely communicated.

All-in-all, this article reminds me to be a proud member of the generation who grew up watching TGIF, worshipping Michael Jordan and knowing my friends by their screen names.

If you'd like to read the complete article, check out: http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12591038.

And thanks Mr. Tapscott, I've already texted all my friends with this fab news.

Stupid human tricks.

This summer, Play's weekly Circus is under the maniacal, and may I say brilliant, control of Marco Polo. A few weeks ago, they took Circus literally... asking each one of us to perform our best quirky talent or physical feat. Tongues twisted, bodies flew through the air. All in all a very successful circus.

The equals sign? What hidden talents or strengths do employees have that remain untouched or under utilized by their companies. Well done MP. Take a look at some of our talented teammates in action.

New York, watch out: here comes BW.

Yesterday, we raised a glass to our bespectacled, style guru Byron.

BW is bringing a permanent Play presence back to the Big Apple, but we wanted him to know that he'll always be top-of-mind to the 1801 team.

A full deck of fabulousness.

The team wished our fearless and fun Ambassador Happy Birthday this morning. Mimosas, a sombrero, movie tickets and a newly composed rap song in honor of our dear Christine.

Happiest of days to you.

Just another maniac Monday, but we're on TV.

Set your TiVo. Our Andy will be appearing on CNBC’s special series “The Business of Innovation” hosted by Maria Bartiromo.

The series airs on Mondays at 9:00 pm and midnight from June 2nd through June 30th. Andy is appearing on the 3rd show, Redefining Innovation. So while all the shows are worth watching, we will be gathering together for June 16th show to watch Andy's cable debut. Stay tuned... more details to follow. Nice work AS.

Caution: inspiration at work.

Now we'll never again have to ask the question, "Where's Ben?"

A red letter day.

This week, Andy designed another evolution for the team-- a day to just be together and enjoy each other as teammates. (Patty, Barry and Andy... you were very much missed.)

We explored Richmond, guided by secret red missives. Laughs and looking at more stuff by all. So get comfortable and scroll through a few images of the day.

So what's it like to travel with Play?

Last week, I had the pleasure of a few days on the road-- literally driving up and down and all around 95-- with David, Andy, Byron and the dogs.

Wanted to share a few pictures so that you can experience the drive yourself. Enjoy.

Done = good

A philosophy by the inspiring Benjamin Franklin Armbruster.
Enjoy the holidays and we'll see you in 2008. Cheers.

View Finder and the windy city.

A regular stop for Play travels is Chicago. If you haven't been living under a rock for the last three years (or you haven't spoken to avid fans Sara and Barry), you've likely read or heard about Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City based on the history of Chicago.

On a recent trip, I started thinking about that book-- how the roots of cities or businesses can be told in a well-constructed and captivating story or can just be shared as mundane facts. When we think about the stories our businesses, are we providing the intriguing why behind the what? Are we giving human dimension and scope to our data and quarterly results? If you fast-forwarded 120 years into the future, would there still be a story worth telling?

Here are a few Chicago images to keep your mind going.

What does it take to have a conversation?

In a recent posting by Lewis Green, founder and managing principal of L&G Business Solutions, he posed the question: Is social web conversation over? What he was talking about was the rising presence of blogs that seems to be resulting in the lack of comments on blogs. That those who read blogs aren't contributing back with comments, and therefore, limiting the conversation. His contention: blogs are only as good as the comments resulting from a posting. So as I post on our blog about his blog, am I really limiting the conversation or just starting another?

Now don't get me wrong, I agree with Green's contention. Conversations are critical. And in today's world of free and unregulated information distribution, it's certainly important to comment on blogs and edit wikis to reflect both alternate perspectives and accurate descriptions. However for many organizations, the conversations still need to begin face-to-face in order engage people.

So let's bring this question inside the firewalls-- what makes a good conversation within an organization? How do we take conversations off the intranet, out of the cubicle and into the hallways, conference rooms, cafeterias or atriums? How do we foster face-to-face conversations that aren't just about weekend plans but about changing what we do or how we do it? In truth, today's business leaders should be empowering their teams to have frank, fierce and powerful conversations. How will you engage your associates in good, contentious, difficult, and hopefully business-changing conversations?

If you'd like to read Green's complete posting, check out: http://www.mpdailyfix.com/2007/11/is_this_the_day_the_conversati.html

What does it mean to evolve?

Recently at Play, we brought the entire team together for a day of evolution. Armed with flip charts, journals, sharpies, computers and Wes lunch, we trekked out of the office. Conversations, possibilities, frustrations, beliefs, laughter and questions filled the day.


But what does evolution mean for an organization? The dictionary definition of evolution is "a gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form." When trying to evolve and grow our organizations, what are the first steps? How can we know the right path? When should we begin?


In Corporate America, these questions tend to be asked around strategic planning season or when budgets are due. However, they shouldn't be relegated to a moment in time like New Year's resolutions. As individuals, teams and organizations-- how do we keep evolution top-of-mind?

Viewing the places we go.

Before making a home at 1801 East Cary Street in Richmond, I lived in Pasadena, CA. Stumbling upon some images from the streets I walked each day, it occurred to me-- I thought about different things there. Perhaps that's because I had a different job or was a different age, but I started to wonder how much environment plays a role.

Does the environment in which you live and work change who you are? what you think about? how you create? where you see your career going?

When can our businesses benefit from a change of scene? How do we seek inspiration in our own environments and use that inspiration to develop new ideas?

Here's a few glimpses from the land of sun, yoga and white stucco.

View Finder wandering...

Lots of traveling the last few months for the team from Play. Which means plenty of ground being covered-- England, Turkey, Spain, Mexico and much of the U.S. Whether New York, Illinois, Georgia, Colorado, Nevada, or Florida, we've covered a lot of miles.

With all these miles, I started thinking... When we travel, are we just getting from point A to point B or are we appreciating the miles in between? Do you walk or drive and completely miss seeing what's around you? How can the roads we travel inspire us? How do we make our frequent flier miles go further?

Here's a look at the roads I've traveled lately. What do you see?

View Finder: it's fall again.

The kids are heading back to school and the adults are heading back to deadlines. If tradition holds true, the daily grind of work, tasks, bills, decisions, commuting, and Outlook meeting requests will soon take over the fall. As we head into this season, who are we forgetting?


Survey says... the people. Our To Do lists don't usually have people on them. Family, lifelong friends, coworkers. Appreciating them, supporting them, heck, just calling them. I know I am as guilty as the next person.


At Play, we help our clients to inspire, empower, and celebrate their people. So here's my thought for Monday, and put it on your checklist next to paying the electric bill and buying groceries, "Celebrate the people in your life."

May sound silly, but it might just make the fall better.