Senior pros get to the meat of things at Fogo de Chao

By on March 12th, 2009 In Professional Development

Thanks to Michelle Olson and Olson Communications, PRSA’s “master practitioners” were wined and dined last night at Fogo de Chao, a new Brazilian steakhouse at Scottsdale/Lincoln.  These PR pros technically had 15 years or more of experience, but I’d say the average was probably around 25 years.   I think it’s the first time in memory that I’ve actually had a chance to mingle with other PR people around my age.  

And what keeps us up at night?  Staying current with all the social networks.  Clients and management who don’t get it.  Figuring out the next career transition.   A surprisingly high (to me) percentage of the group are aggressively active in Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.  And what do we wish the younger practitioners knew or realized about a successful career in PR?  How much more patience and perseverence they need.   Greater attention to detail.  Reduced sense of entitlement.  Remembering to use spellcheck.  Practicing more formal written communications to clients, to convey at least some sense of professionalism.  Respecting deadlines. And not bolting for the door at 5:00.   And what about trying to have a more balanced life than your seniors?   As one senior PR person wryly put it, “There is no balance. It is an unending journey.”    

We crave networking opportunities like last night’s as a way to validate our lives in the midst of the insanity.   We realize how well our skills can be blended with the skills of the X, Y and Millenial generations for the benefit of our clients.   Most of all, I think, we crave respect.     

I’m thinking, if the senior pros can learn social media, then the younger pros can certainly bone up on their writing and communication skills.  We need each other.

Comments

francine hardaway Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

Well, I like it that they can’t write, because that gives me an opportunity to sit in California in my house by the ocean and do all those cool writing assignments they really can’t do. I model myself after Joann Ralston, one of my PR mentors, who moved to Hawaii and continued to earn a living writing corporate newsletters for years.

But I also know the social networks.

Richard K Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 4:01 pm

I thoroughly respect anyone who can praise Joanne Ralston. I’ll add Dinky Snell and all the people who worked in 20th Century Arizona PR. I can remember writing something positive about Dr. Hardaway once. Which is better than the time Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds told me I was the only national journalist to write a good story about his band and I couldn’t remember writing the article.

Gee, it was only 20 years ago when Dr. Hardaway and I were the only two in Arizona with advanced degrees. Things have changed. Now we both Twitter, YouTube and Web 2.0. I’m envious of the beach part.

For more on Joanne Ralson, http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Joanne_Ralston

Dr. Hardaway will need to provide her own Web site. Mine is mediarelationsexpert.com

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