What does a cognitive condition have to do with the new economy?
Attention Deficiency Disorder is on the rise in western society. We are also spending more time multi-tasking, devoting what we think is full attention to a number of tasks at once. The reality is, the older we get, the less we can focus on more tasks at the same time. The X Generation and Y Generation that are our consumers and employees think that they can do it better, this is debatable.
The internet has permanently altered all of us as people. A recent survey showed that 69% of X’s and Y’s time is spent on-line or with various forms of media. That leaves 31% of their time for work; these numbers were the exact reverse only five years ago. You Tube was barely a blip on our radar screens a year ago, now they get one of the highest daily hit rates and visitors are staying on their site for a whopping 108 minutes. How long do you think people are spending on your site?
A new practice called Attention Slicing has emerged. Consumers and employees are devoting small slices of their attention at any time to any one source and for increasing shorter periods of time. Consumers want their information and entertainment when and where they want, and they want to be able to customize it to match their personalities, share it, and make it even easier to access.
If you think we are moving too quickly, you would be wrong. We are at the ‘kindergarten’ stage of development.
Putting It Into Action:
Your leadership, your firm and your personal brand need to adjust to this new reality of attention slicing. What can you do to make your message stand out, be more visual, add impact, be more accessible? One way is to register your own personal domain name. Then upload any materials that would give people a window into who you are as a person. The more visual your material, the better. Always invite people to provide their feedback and input. Visit some of the most popular blogs that Xers and Ys read. Begin to publish your own Blog and again allow people to comment.
With you along the path towards success,
Joseph