The following are some notes and insights from Lisa Johnson’s – Mind Your X’s and Y’s (follow up to yesterday's post)

The connected generation share a spirit of transparency. They want authenticity and “no spin.” They would rather you admit your shortcomings than try to fake it or BS them. They can burn you and your reputation in a matter of hours across the Internet through their social networking.

• Connections = Power
• Expression Builds Credibility (Are you blogging yet?)
• Personalize, Personalize, Personalize – make your message specific to the individual. The connected generation is eager for personal recognition.
• Make it Simple – Take away the hurdles – make it simple for your clients and customers.
• Generate a Sense of Adventure in Your Message
• Social Networking Creates New Social Possibilities

Lisa mentions Christopher Carfi – The Social Customer Manifesto

• I want to have a say.
• I don't want to do business with idiots.
• I want to know when something is wrong, and what you're going to do to fix it.
• I want to help shape things that I'll find useful.
• I want to connect with others who are working on similar problems.
• I don't want to be called by another salesperson. Ever. (Unless they have something useful. Then I want it yesterday.)
• I want to buy things on my schedule, not yours. I don't care if it's the end of your quarter.
• I want to know your selling process.
• I want to tell you when you're screwing up. Conversely, I'm happy to tell you the things that you are doing well. I may even tell you what your competitors are doing.
• I want to do business with companies that act in a transparent and ethical manner.
• I want to know what's next. We're in partnership…where should we go?

The book is a quick read. There is a lot that can be scanned, but the read helps to give you a good impression of the orientation needed for connecting with Gen X and Gen Y.

Want something technical to chew your way through? A Social Network Caught in the Web

Image from HP Research