To respond or not, that is the question.

A student once told me that I was the most responsive person on earth.   

I thought - note to self, be less responsive.   

One motive for being responsive is the fact that we don't want to be perceived as rude.  But my need to respond quickly to queries is due to my desire to "get things off my list" so that I can move on.  I once heard it referred to as "pre-crastination."

Unfortunately, the stream of endless emails I face every day makes it nearly impossible to ever catch up and leaves me feeling like a bit of a failure when I can't.

I've already created a junk email address to handle communications from companies trying to sell me stuff - sometimes sending me multiple emails per day.

And ghosting friends is common - 1/3 of us do it. (Dhawan, 2022)

But business is different. Ignoring messages in these "always-on" times is frowned upon.   

And the colleague who sends a message at 7 pm must have an emergency that they need help with.  Or do they?  Research shows that most of us overestimate how fast a response our colleagues are expecting.

But at the end of the day it is up to us to set our own boundaries. 

Since I work for a company based in Hong Kong, I shut my phone off at 7pm.  I also don't check that junk email address very often. 

What about you?  Are you overwhelmed with the amount of communications that you receive?  How do you deal with them?  Do you ignore them and hope that they will go away?  Do you set boundaries? 

How about the people you work with?  Are they responsive?  If not, how does that make you feel?

 

 

Dhawan, E. (2022, February 21)  Ignoring a Text Message of Email Isn't Always Rude.  Sometimes It's Necessary.  nytimes. com.  Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/21/opinion/culture/ghosting-work-digital-overload.html

 

 

Check your bags for free with Delta.

 

These days most airlines charge their customers for checked bags.  It's a way to raise prices while still advertising lower flight fees. 

But as a result, customers attempt to avoid fees by using carry-on luggage only.

The net result -- nightmare boarding situations as everyone jockeys for limited overhead space.

In recognition of the problem, Delta is currently running a test in select cities inviting people to check their carry-on luggage for free.  That's a savings of $30 for the first bag and $40 for a second.

But checking luggage isn't just about money.  It's also about time.  It takes time to check in the bag and time to pick it up on the other end.  Not to mention the fact that some checked luggage does get lost.

Given that, do you think that waving fees will matter?  Do you check luggage?  Has your luggage ever been lost?  Assuming Delta begins to offer free checked luggage will you favor them in your future airline selections?  Do you favor Southwest Airlines now for the same reason?

 

Baran, M. (022, February 4)  Delta Wants to Speed Up Boarding With This New Carry-On Trial.  afar.com.  Retrieved February 15, 2022, from  https://www.afar.com/magazine/delta-tests-waiving-checked-bag-fees-to-reduce-carry-ons?

Will Gen Z give up leather to save the Amazon?

 

Surveys say Gen Z cares about the environment more than other generations.  According to a 2021 study from Pew Research,  67% say "Climate should be top priority to ensure sustainable planet for future generations."  The percentage drops to 37% for "addressing climate change is my top personal concern."  And only 32% said they "have personally taken action to help address climate change within the last year."  (Tyson, Kennedy & Funk, 2021)

 

Could it be that Gen Z is all for others addressing climate change, but is unwilling to make personal sacrifices?

 

Unfortunately, talking about climate change on social media - which 67% of Gen Z does, is not going to save the environment.  Only actions will do that.

 

A new study from the Stand.Earth has linked deforestation of the Amazon rainforest with consumption of leather goods.  While they admit to difficulty in collecting data, they were able to establish that Brazilian leather accounts for 41% of China's imports and 36% of Italy's.

 

Many fashion companies claim that leather is a by-product of the meat industry and therefore they are not to blame for forest clearance.  But leather from Brazilian slaughterhouses brought in $1.1 billion in 2021.

 

If 67% of Gen Z care about the environment, why are only 32% taking personal action?  Is there a way to turn their words into deeds? 

 

Would telling people about the link between Amazon deforestation and leather goods persuade them to give up leather shoes, handbags and car interiors?  What other messages might be successful in motivating people to act more responsibly?

 

What actions are you taking to help save the environment?  Are you willing to make sacrifices for the cause?  What messages would motivate you?

 

 

Tyson, A., Kennedy, B., & Funk, C. (2021, May 26)  Gen Z, Millennials Stand Out for Climate Change Activism, Social Media Engagement With Issue. pewresearch.org.  Retrieved February 8, 2022, from  https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/05/26/gen-z-millennials-stand-out-for-climate-change-activism-social-media-engagement-with-issue/

 

Bauck, W. (2022, February 7)  Did Your Handbag Help Destroy the Rainforest?  nytimes.com.  Retrieved February 8, 2022, from  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/05/style/lvmh-nike-prada-amazon-deforestation.html

Can Millennials and Gen Z be persuaded to drink Folgers coffee?

Folgers instant coffee apparently has a reputation of being "your grandma's coffee."   

 

Not surprisingly, J.M. Smucker Co., owners of the brand, see a need to reach out to Millennials and Gen Z to bring younger consumers into the fold.

 

They've created two videos for their new campaign.  Both use the Joan Jett tune "Bad Reputation" from 1993.  The first one references the New Orleans heritage of the brand.  You can watch it here...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIB-mWsFq1c

 

The second spot includes the fact that Folgers has 35 million users.  You can watch it here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N5p_tKOS6Y

 

What do you think about the idea of using a song that was released before most of the target was born?  Do you think it will resonate with the them?  Would it be more appealing to one generation than the other?  Why?

 

Each video uses a Cialdini technique that we discussed in our first class.  Which ones do they use?  Do you think either approach will resonate with Millennials?  What about Gen Z?

 

Finally, do you think either group will be motivated by this campaign?  If so, which one and why?

 

 

Ellwanger, S. (2022, January 31) Folgers Doesn't Give A Damn That It's 'Your Grandma's' Coffee.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved February 1, 2022, from,

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/370761/folgers-doesnt-give-a-damn-that-its-your-grandm.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline&utm_campaign=125135&hashid=ybq2buULrntyGS6NfbELk0afrrI