Consumer.

-- The GiRL

Consumer.

Ever wonder why this new generation of employees cares nothing for the workplace? What about why we care nothing about others? Or maybe, you have wondered why so many people simply do not know how to do a hard day of work at all?

Dear people of the United States, your fruits have been brought in from the field. You have all become consumers with a capital ‘C.’

Consumers have been trained to think and act instinctively rather than rationally. We look to fulfill need no matter the cost.

Consumers want the biggest and the best all the time. They're ambitious but forget that success is not a given right but rather self made.

We have a generation of kids who cannot handle emotional pitfalls, who do not know how to make it through a tough day of work, and whose attention spans are shorter than an ant. As consumers they are not sure how to make due like depression era adults. They're not sure how to be resourceful.

So business owners I warn you. Invest in those employees that are givers rather than takers. Promote employees that are constantly thinking of new ways to make your business better. They may get annoying, and they may even make it harder for you to realize change is good – but they will be contributing in the long run rather than being a drain on your resources.

These employees will thrive when you support them. Know they still have consumer bones. They will leave you if they do not find the backing they need. Have conversations and get into their heads. If you disagree, try the idea and if you think it fails let them know why.

 Be wary of the paycheck takers. These people see their jobs as another object to consume. These employees only use what pieces of your company they want and throw the others away without knowing how to make what doesn’t work into something that does work. They are a never ending drain.

Throw away your bad management practices because the new workforce has little patience and the good ones will leave if you push them. You will have trained a strong team player for your competition. Ask for input and acknowledge input given. You can find worthwhile employees in this way and weed out the employees who give nothing back. 

The 'C' in consumer can be used to your advantage if you recognize the change in times. If you do not recognize you may find yourself with a deadbeat business and an attitude of "those young hooligans." 

Remember, we created the capital 'C' consumer and now we need to train them in how to build their current strengths and cut out their weaknesses. 

Oprah, it is time to move over and leave something for everybody else.

Considering the great American ideal of consumerism it does not surprise me that our society has become consumerist in our ‘dream’ pursuits. I am not referring to purchasing ‘things’ I am referring to the desire to consume any and every possible dream avenue.

When Oprah announced that she was looking at going on Broadway, whether she was joking or not, I found myself discouraged at her announcement. Seriously? Broadway?  

Discouraged, not because Oprah cannot pursue this dream, but because I’m angry for all the people in the world who pursue that dream daily and never make it. If they had mega millions and a nation of paparazzi and fans sure they’d be there too.  They’d have as many opportunities as Oprah does.

I see this often. The rich find ways to stay in the spotlight and take away opportunities for others. For example, when Donald Trump was thinking about running for office I was saddened that he felt like he needed to do more. There are lots of smart people in the world. If you are a star you have already offered the world something they bought into already. Leave open spaces and positions for other people to fill.

Don’t take every space…take your rightful place.

We don’t all need to be a movie star, a governor, a Broadway composer, a president, and a head of the school district. It is okay to be in a niche. People will love you for it.

If Starbucks opened a grocery store consumers would agree they’d be overstepping their bounds. Why then do we allow those who have substantial influence to have a monopoly in the spotlight? A monopoly is a monopoly…in the end it hurts the general population.

So I want to say to successful people – move over and let someone else succeed. You do not have to do everything. If something is already created, leave it to lesser folks who do not have all the funds in the world, and make another new adventure for yourself.

 Invest in other’s success and hide from the limelight. Avoid the press and let someone else have the spotlight.