Arel Moodie is one of the sharpest young men I have met.  We interviewed Arel and his partner Bert Gervais (Placefinder.com) for the Millennial Leaders book, and these guys are truly class acts.

Arel has a great new book out today:  Your Starting Point for Student Success.  I read the book, and it is really great.  I highly recommend it for both young students AND for parents of students who want to know more about how to be successful in college (and high school for that matter).

Pick up a copy of the book today here.

Watch Arel here and learn a bit about the book.  His energy and presence are amazing!

I had the chance to catch up with six Gen Ys last week to ask them to answer a few questions about their view of the current state of the economy, buying preferences and investments. Here is what they had to say:

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SCOTT BRADLEY
http://www.twitter.com/scottbradley

1) What would you say is your favorite brand?

In-n-Out

2) What is your favorite thing to purchase?

Books…In a Bookstore…Not on Amazon (I can’t feel the book or flip through online)

3) What is your view of the current state of our economy?

Pathetic with WAYY TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION (Most politicians have NEVER owned or run a business but magically think that by taxing businesses more…it is supposed to save the economy…complete garbage in my opinion)

4) What is your favorite investment? (mutual funds, treasury, stock?)

Positive Cashflow Producing Real Estate All Day LONG…Mutual funds are for the birds and putting your trust 100% into a financial advisor is the worst possible thing you could ever do (The only way they make money is if they sell you something…aka a glorified sales people being leveraged by the corporations who got us into this mess…and who think that you can take an average joe blow off the street and turn them into a financial advisor managing your financial future!) (Yes I have seen this)…Get financially educated…and get started by reading Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki RIGHT NOW! That book is a serious wake up call for America…especially at this time!

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JESSICA BAHR
www.jarovic.com

1) What would you say is your favorite brand?

Ralph Lauren is my favorite brand because it represents how I picture myself being when I’m an adult. It has a nostalgic feel to it; when I was younger I would see the clothing in the store or in ads and associate it with being a strong, independent, fashionable, business women.

2) What is your favorite thing to purchase?

My favorite thing to purchase is books. Learning is a never ending process and I love to expand my knowledge.

3) What is your view of the current state of our economy?

For the last few years I have been saying to myself that the economy will pick up. I have a large amount of my net worth invested in the stock market and I’m now realizing that it will be some time before I see any substantial return on my investments. It makes me sad and I’ll admit that I have been loosing sleep the past month or so over my current financial situation. I’m broke for the firs time in my life and it is not comforting to be unsure of if I will be able to pay rent on time or not. The economy will pick up again, the world markets will and are rebounding faster then we are and as they become more stable they will begin/continue investing in our country and that will help our recovery. I think it will be another ten years though before I remake what I have lost in the last three.

4) What is your favorite investment? (mutual funds, treasury, stock?)

My favorite investment is the stock market. I like treasury bonds also, but those just sit in the safety deposit box. Even though the market isn’t doing to well right now its a good time to buy (if you have the capital). I made my first independent stock purchase when i was 13 and I haven’t stopped being active since. I don’t like mutual funds because it involves me relying on someone else to invest my money for me and I have trust issues I guess.

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RYAN PAUGH
http://www.brazencareerist.com

1) What would you say is your favorite brand?

I honestly don’t have a favorite brand … If I had to pick one, I’d say Apple, because they got me hooked! I always get caught saying … “I think they have an app for that!”

2) What is your favorite thing to purchase?

Anything technology. I got a Best Buy gift certificate a month ago and I spent a whole afternoon in the store trying to figure out what to buy.

3) What is your view of the current state of our economy?

Things aren’t good, but the recession has become kind of a red herring for some. It’s a distraction. People think they can’t get a job, so they won’t go look … or try new things. Getting a job isn’t a passive thing.

4) What is your favorite investment? (mutual funds, treasury, stock?)

I had some mutual funds set up after my first couple months of real-world work after college. Seemed like a great idea at the time! Since then I haven’t really pursued any sort of investments other than the stock I have in my company … which keeps me working hard …

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KATIE FIELDS
Senior: University of North Carolina

1) What would you say is your favorite brand?

Panera Bread and Caribou Coffee…I love food, and I love them both!

2) What is your favorite thing to purchase?

Books, books and more books. I love hanging out at Barnes and Noble.

3) What is your view of the current state of our economy?

I think history repeats itself, and the economy will turn around as it always does. I think the current state of the economy is going to force us to make major changes, be more creative and find new ways of doing work and living in our world.

4) What is your favorite investment?

Right now, my college education. If I had to make an investment purchase today, I would buy stock in Wal Mart. The store is jam packed with people right now, and I think it will continue to do well in the future. I can always find what I need at Wal Mart, and the quality of their merchandise seems to be getting better/stronger.

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TJ WIHERA
www.generationwhy.com/whysperspective

1) What would you say is your favorite brand?

I honestly can’t think of a single brand that I like so much as to call it my favorite. The brands that appeal most to me are those that seem less like carefully crafted brands based on market research and more like genuine reflections of who someone or something is, or what they believe in. Think of Chipotle vs. Q-Doba. (I prefer Chipotle’s brand.)

2) What is your favorite thing to purchase?

As far as actual purchasing experience goes, I really enjoy buying music on iTunes – I get to preview the product, and supposing that I like it, I get the product immediately. Also, I can do it in my boxers.

3) What is your view of the current state of our economy?

I recognize that the economy is in a bit of a spot, but this isn’t the first speculative burst that has ever struck an economy, and it won’t be the last.

4) What is your favorite investment? (mutual funds, treasury, stock?)

Does beer count? Otherwise the only investment I’ve actually got going is a Savings Account. I’m not a very savvy investor.

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RYAN COLEMAN
http://thenextforce.com

1) What would you say is your favorite brand?

APPLE! I love the brand, I love the products, I love the service, I love everything about it. They are extremely secretive but it is all about good things. I am more attracted to the subculture attached to it. Sitting in a Panera Bread and someone lights up their little Apple as they open their laptop there is an automatic connection!

2) What is your favorite thing to purchase?

DOMAIN NAMES! This might actually be a sickness but I love buying domain names. It’s $6.99 and not that I am going to find the next pizza.com that sells for $12 million but every idea sparks a new opportunity. I don’t know when or if I will run with it but I at least have a good domain to support the idea. Buying a domain to me is like putting a place marker in the book of ideas. It allows me to revisit the parade of ideas every time I pop into Godaddy.com. Google GODADDY DISCOUNT CODES and get an extra $2.50 off your next domain

3) What is your view of the current state of our economy?

There is a new opportunity around every corner. There are still people spending, companies buying and movers and shakers trying to make things happen. We are on the verge of the “Collaborative Revolution!” The economy has knocked down a lot of people but there is this buzz and energy that is bringing people together and organizing them in a unique fashion. The current state of the economy is “WHAT’S NEXT!” Everyones being creative trying to come up with “new” things and save money in the process. It’s a great time to join the conversation!

4) What is your favorite investment? (mutual funds, treasury, stock?)

Stocks. I heard someone talking about the market a while back and he said, “even a cat bounces depending how far he falls!” Go figure! Well when this thing does bounce, it’s going to be a fun wave to ride. But, Cash is still king!

During this episode I had the pleasure of  interviewing Terry Osborn and Ben Aronson, the founding partners of  the TAO Experience, a Marketing, Branding and Talent Management firm based out of Hoboken, NJ.   Listen in as we talk a bit about marketing to the Gen Y and Gen X demographics and their highly successful Break’n Through event, which showcases Gen Y talent to the New York City public.

“The USA’s celebrity-obsessed culture is causing us to become more narcissistic, says behavior expert and physician Drew Pinsky, co-author of The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism Is Seducing America. It may be especially dangerous for young people, who view celebrities as role models, say co-authors Pinsky (an internist better known on TV and radio as Dr. Drew) and S. Mark Young, a social scientist. ”

This article in USA Today yesterday is worth the read.  I do agree that celebrity narcissism is creating a few issues not only for our kids but for adults, but what about the narcissism in our business world?  Many of us did not know the name Madoff until recently.  I suppose my question is this “Why does the media place such a big spotlight on some of the most notorious narcissists of our times and actually romanticize their lives in the process?”  I guess to sell papers, advertising and to get eyeballs on their news shows.  I suppose no one would read or watch if we devoted our media attention to people who were actually making our world a better place to live.  Those stories are reserved for public television and the Documentary Channel, and occasionally they do slip into the mainstream media, but they certainly don’t make headlines.

Would love to hear your comments on this topic.

I’m just now getting caught up on my reading on Brazen Careerist.  (Great site and blogs…you need to check it out…all Gen Ys blogging on great topics we all need to know about.)

Jamie Varon has a great post from last month:  Does Generation Y Need to Grow Up?

She makes a few great points.  We need Gen Y’s optimism and confidence right now.  And…if you are a Boomer or older Gen X, think back to when you were in your early 20’s, and you wanted to change the world.  What happened to that dream?  Did you let corporate group think pull you down into the mud and the yuck?

Quite frankly, I am on Jamie’s and Gen Y’s side on this issue.  If you are a leader, I believe it is your role to open up, be more optimistic and listen to what your Gen Ys are trying to say to you.  They are tired of the pessimism and skepticism that they are being dished out by senior leaders who call them names and try to turn them into surly “workers” who become “yes men and women” for the organization.

So, go over to Jamie’s post, and add a few comments on how you can help come to a meeting of the minds with your young careerists.

As an Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant, I work with leaders from all walks of life who interact with employees from all walks of life and all generations.  The thing that I notice more often than not is that more senior leaders are “brushing off” a few huge opportunities to build out their relationship with their Gen Y careerists.

So, today, I am going to ask you 3 “DUH” questions…these are so obvious, but about 70% of the leaders I meet are not able to answer “YES” to these questions.

1) Are you using technology to communicate with Generation Y? This includes blogging, text messaging, Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, wikis and forums.  This one step takes only minutes, and if you’re smart, you will learn how to connect all of your social networks together with a service like Ping.fm so that one message is sent out to all networks at one time.  There is really no excuse for not using the technology Gen Y is comfortable using to communicate with them, and it honestly takes about 5 minutes to get set up.

2) Are you giving your Gen Y careerists a voice in your organization? If not, why not?  This is one of the most creative, intelligent generations we have alive today, and if you are not asking for their input, listening to their ideas and then incorporating their suggestions into your company, there is a good chance you will lose them AND your company will lose its competitive edge.  And…just stop that junk about how the economy is going to make Gen Y less vocal and more willing to follow some of what I call those “stupid rules” of the company where only senior managers have a voice and get invited into those “secret/private” meetings.  That is so dark ages.

3) Are you spending time truly listening and supporting your Gen Ys when they come to you in need of help and feedback? I sat last week and watched a senior leader talking to a Gen Y…he was nodding his head up and down like one of those bobble head dolls that looked like this:

It was obvious he was not listening…he was just doing the bobble head thing to act like he was listening.   Take the time to sit down with your Gen Y’s and really listen to them, give them the feedback they want, and give them the support they need to build a great career.  You will be glad you took the time to show that you care.  And…don’t do the bobble head thing…just stop that!

Ryan Stephens is balloting the public for the top ten blogs for April 2009.  The Millennial Leaders blog is currently on the list of potentials.

If you wish to vote for the ML blog, you will need to follow a few guidelines:

You can rank the blogs you submit any way you’d like, though I would encourage you to consider some of the following criteria:

• CONTENT
• Frequency of updates
• Valuable and interesting links (embedded or in the blogroll)
• Aesthetic (i.e navigation, functionality, and to some extent looks)
• Ability to incite conversation, thought-provoking comments/discussion

The Rules:

• The blogs must directly relate to Gen Y/Millennials*
• One ballot per person
• Your ballot must have at least 5 blogs listed to be included
• You -can- vote for your own blog
• If you feel compelled to include a great post that showcases why you chose a particular blog I won’t hate you

*For clarification purposes – This is not a list of the best Gen Y bloggers based on their demographic, but about the best blogs that deliver value for the Gen Y demographic. For example if a 26-year old writes brilliantly about the latest tech inventions, though he is Gen Y, he’s probably not a good fit for this list. The alternative is a 40-year old writing about approaches Gen Y can take to get a job in the current economic climate is very relevant. Honestly, I don’t mind that the line blurs as long as great bloggers get recognition. Take that for what it’s worth.

Please submit your list of top Gen Y Blogs to ryanstephensmarketing(at)gmail.com

It is not uncommon for me to turn on the news or read an article about texting in the classroom. Teachers are pulling their hair out trying to stop it…and the more they resist, the more the students persist. I even saw recently where a student was caught texting, the teacher called the police (after an argument) and the student hid her cell phone in her pants. Argh!

From where I sit, it makes perfect sense to start using texting in the classroom. Imagine this: Every child in the classroom has a cell phone, the teacher has Twitter open on a big screen television, a discussion happens, and the students all weigh in by posting to Twitter. The class can then choose a topic on the screen to explore in further detail.

I am sure this sounds ridiculous, and many critics will argue that not everyone has a cell phone nor can they afford it…true! BUT…I have been into several public schools, and it is hard for me to find a student who does not own a cell phone and who does not text as the main means of communication. So…that is a hiccup we would have to address (to make sure that everyone has a text plan that is free, etc.)

I suppose my main thought here is this…if students are texting, tweeting and on their laptops checking their friends’ Facebook comings and goings during class, then why not bring this into the classroom? I think the whole “broadcast/lecture” model is not working, and we have to find a way to get our students engaged and involved.

Would love to hear your comments on this post and the video below.

Last May, Ryan Healy wrote a post titled 10 Ways Generation Y Will Change the Workplace. It was read by thousands of people, and Healy has now posted another great entry on how Millennials will change the workplace given the current state of the economy.

I will just add to Ryan’s list one thought:  Gen Y is looking a LOT like the GI Generation of the early 1900s era.  They are very optimistic, hopeful (think Roaring 20’s) and were born and raised in an era of influence.  Suddenly, we are hit with global terrorism and a war…and war usually brings along a recession.  FDR was a man who came into his adulthood in the roaring 20’s, and the New Deal was of course his big initiative.  I fully expect to see our Gen Y’s become more politically active and civic minded, and it would not surprise me to see a modern day FDR step forward with a brand new deal.   I believe that the war in Iraq has created in Gen Y one of the most caring, civic minded generations we have seen in a long, long time.  I  believe Gen Y will use their civic duty to come up with some brilliant approaches to bring the private and public sectors together (just my 2 cents!) in order to make our political system actually work!

Great post by Ryan.  Read it here.

People love to sit and ponder the future.  I suppose given our current state of affairs, this is easier than thinking about today.

But, if you love talking about the future, here is a thought.  I believe that Generation Y…their values, norms and world views…can show us what we can expect in the future.  For today, I would like to ask you to consider 3 values Generation Y holds dear and how these are going to impact our lives in the next 5-7 years.

1) Scrutiny. Generation Y is a generation who not only can smell BS a mile away, they know how to use technology to strengthen their “BS Detector” and to let the world know when something is not adding up.  Given the recent events on  Wall Street, I believe that we are all going to be called to be much more honest and transparent (yeah…it’s a big buzzword right now with the Obama team).  In the future, you can expect your business to be scrutinized on a daily basis.  Generation Y is big on integrity, and if they are not sure that your business is on the up and up, just expect some fall out.   It’s time now to go ahead and get your business/organization cleaned up (including people who don’t add up!)

2) Technology. Everyone talks about Gen Y being “tech savvy.”  That is one way to say it.  Another way to look at Gen Y’s relationship with technology is that is a mechanism for them to connect, get things done and speed things up.  As Generation Y moves into adulthood, I believe we are going to transition to seamless technology (right now, for many of us, our access to technology is still in bits and pieces).   As I was using a new iTunes App last week, I had a quick flash in my mind of every piece of information we need being stored in the palm of our hand and being able to control it with our voice and eyes (maybe I watch too many movies, but I do think Gen Y will take us in this direction…remember, flexibiliy, mobility and friends are huge values for Gen Y…and they need to have access 24/7…as we all are now saying we need!)

3) Talent Development. The Gen Y demographis is filled with rock stars.  As competition increases on a global scale, I believe that we are going to be witnessing some incredibly talented people emerge into our business world.  I would not be surprised to see a cure for cancer emerge from this generation AND a cure for our economy.    As I watch young athletes and entertainers emerge, the talent just seems to get stronger and stronger.

Would love to hear your thoughts on Gen Y and our future.  I believe there are great things ahead with our young leaders.