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I've noticed this as well in the places I've worked. As a consultant-freelancer I find myself in several agencies per year across several industries. The story
by sheraz 15y ago
I've noticed this as well in the places I've worked. As a consultant-freelancer I find myself in several agencies per year across several industries. The story is largely the same.
The under 35 set, though fluent in digital, cannot "read the room" in client presentations or pitches. As a result we have been more careful of letting juniors and interns actively participate.
- barce 15y agoBut "reading the room" among experts, e.g. FBI agents, is only accurate 50% of the time according to "What Every Body Is Saying." So is it really that much of a liability? Or is there another reason the under 35 set isn't allowed to actively participate?
- sheraz 15y agoPerhaps I should have been more clear on reading the room: It is not a collective, 500 person room. There may be 15 people in the room, but only two or three attendees that actually matter. They must be seated in direct line-of-site to the presenter(s), and the presenters MUST pick up on queues: - do they look bored? - has he checked is iphone? - did he knowingly look over to his #2 All subtle, but these things matter. Depending on the kind of presentation it can be like a poker game. Clients have a "tell" and it is crucial that the presenters / team pick up on it. Teaching juniors to do that is part of mentorship, but that part of the teaching has changed. And it has been harder to teach...
- cafard 15y agoWas the under 35 set of 1980 or 1970 significantly different? I see people who are well over 35 who don't seem to notice when the audience isn't buying what they're saying.