Influence and the New Normal

When we started this blog, one of the topics we said we’d be talking about was the “new normal; ”  that is, what people are doing to adjust to the post-2007 era, which has also been called the “great recession.”  Features of the "new normal" have included high unemployment, rock-bottom-low interest rates, lagging consumer confidence, and a stagnant housing market.

Since 2007, stories have emerged from various media, such as ABC news, about  how the public has been coping with this “new normal.”  Oftentimes, they illustrated how people have increased their “belt-tightening” – adjusting to lower incomes and lost jobs.  In some cases, there are silver linings, such as appreciating a “simpler” lifestyle.  These include “a newfound gratitude” for basic values, such as family, home and health.  How has it affected the general public?  From economizing on household and clothing expenditures, including food, to revising college plans for children. 

While consultants and advisors, like McKinsey, made early predictions about how the “new normal” would play itself out in business, we now have years of hindsight to fill-in that vision.  We can see how the bad economy, trying to right itself, has influenced the work environment in a number of ways.  

In the world of manufacturing, for instance, the “new normal” has meant even leaner and more efficient organizations.   Companies are focusing on making more long-term, structural changes to processes  and technology infrastructures, which will boost their productivity while cutting costs.  That’s meant major layoffs, cost-cutting, and many “transformations.”  

And, to throw a monkey-wrench into already difficult processes, the influence of severe weather conditions  – another  “new normal” – has led organizations to learn how to plan, prepare for, and deal with disruptions in productivity.  

So what can employees expect in 2013?   Workers can expect a 3% pay raise - that’s about it.  It’s even less if you’re in the government sector.  Yet there may be a change when it comes to promotions.  Companies are looking to keep their valuable employees – the ones who were left doing double the work for the same pay.  “During hard times when companies were asking fewer employees to do more for little or no change in compensation, promotions were few and far between. That’s changing, too, says David Van De Voort, a Buck Consultants principal.”   So there’s hope for promotions.  Like everything else, it will depend on the influence of the opening job market – where employees see better opportunities, they will leave.   

How has the “new normal” influenced change in your life? 

The Influence of (Grown) Children

It’s become almost trite now – the story of how a couple’s life changes when a new baby enters the picture. Or how a woman suddenly find herself thrown into the role of soccer mom -  or even tiger mom.  Nothing is new about the parenting tirades on permissiveness, lack of manners, traveling, or schools.  It’s become a lot of predictable noise, hasn’t it?

What we don’t seem to hear a lot about is how our children later affect us – what their influence is on their parents – as they get older.  By older, I mean as they maneuver through college and beyond. Sure, there are lots of articles about the new “empty nest” and what to do, how to survive, etc.  But what about the new relationship with the children when they are home? Or “visiting”?  

To be even more specific: what happens to the role that parents have later?  For those of us who once influenced everything about a child’s life – from what sports they participated in to what movies they saw, from who they played with to where they went on vacation (if anywhere...).  Parents create or take up all the “activity” and leisure time of their children until the kids go off and leave.  What happens when that role no longer exists?  And then – even better – when it becomes reversed?    

Over the weekend, we ran into another couple at a party and had a conversation on this topic.  Or rather, we ended up with this topic – our dialogue started out on a different track and veered into children.  “How do you find new music to listen to these days?” the mother asked me?  “I listen to what my children are listening to!” was my reply.  And their faces lit up – so did they!

What new, wonderful groups had we heard about through our children?  Well, Guster, of course.  (They also had discovered Guster.)  And did I know about Michael Franti?  (and Spearhead, which you may know from their hit Say Hey (I love you), they asked?  No, I didn’t - so I got a fabulous short history of his music and experiences.  The conversation about how our children’s influences went on from there.

When I had two boys the last thing I imagined was that in 15 – 20 years they would help to influence - and even define  - my taste – from the type of music I would be listening to, to the programs and movies I watch.  But that’s what happened.  For example, I still think the music that I had loved as a teenager and in college is good – don’t get me wrong.  I wouldn’t give it up for anything. But it’s 20 years old now – not fresh and new.  It’s fun and nostalgic – but I still like to hear new music and learn what’s going on, aside from what’s the top of the charts on radio. 

So I’m proud to say I'm learning from my children.  From music to television to movies – they shared with me over the years, over vacations and holidays.  While I may take them to see a Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher, they also want to be sure to see Argo and they discovered Quentin Tarrantino.  When we stay at home in the evening, I’m  just as likely to watch Top Gear or Dr. Who with them – as I might lure them into becoming hooked on Downton Abbey with me.  

 And isn’t it wonderful?

I’m learning new tastes – hearing and seeing the world through their eyes – allowing these freshly-minted young adults to influence me for a change.  How delightful and unexpected.   I hope it soon becomes a trend that everyone’s talking about soon.  If they do, you can note that it started here….  

Strategic Influence and Guns

It’s a sensitive subject now – guns in America.  And the way a person comes to the issue often depends on a number of strategic influences – so it’s a key topic to explore the world of “influence.”

The topic has arisen again in our social dialogue because of the most recent violence in Newtown, CT.  The fact that so many small children lost their lives drew national – even international – attention.  Many of those who were touched by this terrible event have searched for ways to move forward, to deal with the tragedy and grief.  A lot people, for example, moved to the gun issue.  

This was not the case for everyone.  Some migrated towards the legal obligations around reporting imminent threats to children, for example, or mental health, or even genetics.  But the resounding story, these days, is on the gun issue.  And it’s loud and furious, with Vice President Biden interviewing  factions and pushing for more “research” and President Obama making his own statement with his goals.

What’s always interesting is where the lines are drawn and what happens that may not have been predicted.   For example, while the debate escalates, gun sales are booming – as those who are fearful of what may happen “buy now” in panic mode.  In fact, some are saying “manufacturers are having a tough time keeping up with the high demand for guns and ammunition seen around the country.”

And a new “influence” group has taken shape because of  Newtown:  children.    They can’t vote and they can’t buy guns, but they’ve been introduced to the debate on both sides, bringing a new “twist” on an issue that’s been hotly debated by adults.  Children are influencing the discussion – with their letter-writing campaigns – as well as being influenced – through programs that try to help them deal with their fears. 

So the same questions are being asked as have been asked in the past, with new players and influencers.  Whatever the results, the influence of the events in Newtown have surely been felt by many throughout the country.  And because of the influencers on both sides of the debate – it will, no doubt, be a long and drawn-out process. 

Influence: Surviving the “Fiscal Cliff”

Though we had gone headlong over the “cliff” (technically) – we were saved in the 11^th hour by negotiations.  

According to a Pew poll, people think that President Obama “won” in that skirmish.  Interestingly enough,  only 38% approve of the results.  ABC News had similar results, with 52% of respondents approving how Obama dealt with the issue (vs. 37% who disapproved).  

But thinking about how all the various "influencers" were played out in this round of “who blinked first,” what were the results of the timing and gamesmanship?  

To arrive at a compromise, Republicans voted for taxes for wealthier Americans and Democrats had to back-off on who would be defined as the "wealthiest" (to bear this tax).  But the compromise didn’t touch income taxes, so – as CNN noted – most Americans will still feel it in their paychecks.  And the deal that was reached only delays for another 60 days what could still happen again.

It’s clear that the threat of global financial upheaval influenced both sides to reach a compromise, so that neither was happy with the results though they solved the problem – but it’s only temporary.   It appears that the continued polarization of the two parties is making it increasingly difficult for anything to get done in Congress.  Without imminent threats, the parties seem to bluster back and forth at one another through the media and nothing is accomplished – except the diminishing approval and increasing frustration of the American public. 

If there’s one thing uniting Democrats and Republicans, out in “grassroots” America, it’s frustration.  From CEOs to the general public, the public has had enough.  As CEO David Cote put it, “The compromise to avert the 'fiscal cliff' outlined by our leaders in Washington is a small step in the right direction, but overall it's a missed opportunity to revive our economy and show U.S. citizens, financial markets, the world and the business community that the U.S. can still govern effectively."  

When will the public’s disapproval and frustration have an influence over our representatives?  When will there be room, once again, for reasonable negotiations?   Are we only going to see action at the 11^th hour (and beyond) from now on? 

Only the influence of time will tell.