49. Will Agencies Ever Learn? (The Importance of Education & Training)
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGallup says only 29% of Millennials are engaged at work.\xa0With 16% actively disengaged.(Meaning that they\u2019re actually getting paid to undermine their place of work.)\xa0That means over 55% are in the middle. They\u2019re stuck in limbo.Passionate with nothing to be passionate about.\xa0And Millennials aren\u2019t the only ones.\xa0\xa0We\u2019re seeing this kind of detachment throughout our workforce.\xa0Meanwhile, it\u2019s a fundamental human need to feel like one is part of something bigger than themselves.\xa0Something different. Something better. Something they can believe in.Yet, when is the last time you\u2019ve been inspired by an agency website, manifesto or work guide?\xa0Is it because agencies don\u2019t know how to advertise what makes them special,or don\u2019t they have anything worth saying?\xa0Considering just how little we invest in training and communications, you have to wonder.\xa0\xa0Perhaps if we did invest in these efforts, again, we could start a virtuous cycle.\xa0One where the continual sharpening of our vision, mission, values and skills would not only inspire our people but attract more clients and press.\xa0Welcome to Episode 49 of Navigating the Fustercluck\u2014a podcast full of snackable insights to help you navigate the everchanging world of creativity & marketing.\xa0My name is Wegs, like eggs with a W, joining you from Deaf Mule Studios in Dallas, where today we ask\u2026Will Agencies Ever Learn? (The Importance of Education & Training.)\xa0It\u2019s all about our culture. That\u2019s what every agency says.\xa0But ask them what their culture is, and few- very few– can tell you what exactly their culture is. What defines it.\xa0What I can tell you is that few agencies have learning cultures. A commitment to expanding the knowledge and skills of their people. To growing their business by growing their people.\xa0A commitment that includes training programs. Educational support. Speakers. Webinars. Writing books. Creating content. Like blogs and podcasts.\xa0One company that gets this is the iconic design shop, IDEO.\xa0Educational Products\xa0IDEO is so committed to training & education that their programs have become a product. You can earn a certificate in areas ranging from presentation skills to design thinking. They actually make money on their efforts!\xa0\xa0Imagine if other agencies looked at their educational efforts this way.\xa0A key point is that this doesn\u2019t have to be a top down effort.\xa0Grassroots\xa0In fact, it can be very grassroots.\xa0Take Talk Shop, for instance.\xa0Nina Bressau & Robert Stahl work for Integer, an Omnicom agency in Dallas.\xa0A planner and a creative, Nina and Robert, are young teammates on the rise.\xa0That said, they both felt that their presentation skills could stand for some improvement. Then again, whose can\u2019t?\xa0\xa0So, they explored all the programs available, Toastmasters, etc.\xa0None, however, felt quite right for advertising.\xa0That inspired them to create their own program, Talk Shop.\xa0Meeting once a month, and open to all Omnicom employees, Talk Shop has now spread to other Omnicom offices. Don\u2019t be surprised if it goes global.\xa0I\u2019ve been a guest speaker at a Talk Shop special event. And walked away impressed by the concept and its creators.\xa0Kudos to Nina & Robert!\xa0Personal Experiences\xa0Personally, I lead a team that created a weekly blog that lasted 6 \xbd years.Provoke Weekly was a great internal and external tool. One that expanded both knowledge and PR opportunities.\xa0We also created Provoke University, an inhouse education and training program featuring essential skills and the latest trends.\xa0We even wrote a book that clients and new business prospects loved. A book that served as hymnal to get our entire team on the same page.\xa0All these efforts were under my direction, but were lead by amazing young talent that used their experiences to lift their careers.\xa0Cost\xa0How much did it cost is the question everyone wants answered.\xa0The answer being nothing. Virtually nothing.