First Thing Monday #3

In this week's FTM: we discuss the future for Gen Z, direct reports' birthdays, and eating in the office 🌍 🎂 🥐

Jul 31, 2023

FTM is a hub for news, resources, and trends to help Millennial and Gen-Z leaders make better decisions and build lasting careers. You’ll also find useful insights for founders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs, but we’re really focused on folks who are working their way up a corporate ladder at a business that is not their own (yet).

I’m Jon Cochran, a consumer goods executive with 15 years of experience leading sales, marketing, and product development teams and working with brands like J.Crew, Hilton, and Mattel. I want to provide resources to help you take control of your career and maximize your satisfaction in the workplace.

⏰ Things to read before your first meeting:

KPMG gives extra training to ‘lockdown-damaged’ Gen Z recruits (The Telegraph): The Big Four accounting and consulting firm asserts that the COVID lockdown experience damaged Gen Z’s development of basic workplace skills. While this might appear extreme, just reading the article made me think differently about the Gen Z work experience. The children are our future!
How to Fix the Most Soul-Crushing Meetings (Harvard Business Review): I promise not to make this an HBR or Inc Magazine stan account, but even their older articles are so useful. I have more thoughts on effective meetings coming soon.
Why we need to be careful with the overemployment work trend (Stylist): This article is a little click-bait, but the substance at its heart is an important topic. Do you know anyone working more than 1 full time job? If so, I’d love to talk to them—email me misterfantastiksubstack@gmail.com
How healthcare is addressing a diminishing workforce (JLL): Most industries are more than short on staff these days. I think changes around requirements and credentials can improve opportunities for potential employees and get qualified people hired sooner. What do you think? Sound off 📣 in the comments!

📖 Things to consider this week:

For yourself: It’s the last day of the month. Is there anything you need to get done, like TODAY? I’m often surprised by the random bills I forgot I received that have just been sitting in a pile by my computer. Take a few minutes, and take care of business so you can start the month fresh!
For your boss: Is there something your boss asked to you to do, but then they never followed up on? Same principle as that stack of bills you’ve been avoiding: ask them about that action item and see if it’s something that actually needs attention or a loose thread you and your boss can let go of.
For your direct report(s): What do you do for your birthdays? At the least, make sure you say Happy Birthday to each of them on their big day. You’d be surprised how often people ignore their direct reports’ birthdays. Upping your game as a compassionate person doesn’t cost a thing. Receiving a card in the mail feels surprisingly special these days. Try it. You might just make someone’s day through simple acknowledgment!
For your co-workers: think about someone you know is doing a good job. First, go tell them! Second, ask them if they’d be okay if you recognized them at an upcoming meeting (when/where it’s most appropriate). Some folks do not enjoy public recognition, but the power it has to build people up cannot be ignored.

⚡️ And one last thing…

I would love to write a book about food and office etiquette. I know I’m not alone in having witnessed some truly shocking shenanigans involving food in the office. Let’s talk eating while meeting. I think the rules should be crystal clear and we learned them in elementary school: did you bring enough to share with the class? Particularly if it’s a meeting you scheduled: 1.)don’t be late, and 2.) either bring food to share with everyone or eat yours before you get to work!
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See you next week!

Jon