Being Relevant

As this new century continues to march forward, one of the greatest challenges for most of us is how to remain “relevant” in a modern age.  Within this challenge are the central questions of how to remain connected to the matters at hand and how do we communicate with others to get our message out?   

Today, a lot of capital is being spent by major companies, both large and small, on how to remain at the top of their industry sector or in business at all.  It is not an option any more, gone are the days when people could depend on traditional brands, newspapers, media broadcasts and messages from industry standards.  The landscape has changed greatly and the old “guards” are struggling to keep up in “connecting” with the up and coming new generations of “X” and “Z” of consumers, voters, and diversity and business leaders.  I have to agree with you, that many of the old problems of poverty, housing, livable wage employment, crime and health care will persist, regardless of the times.    

We are not in “Kansas” anymore and the “Old South” is slowly changing.  Before you know it, the America of old will be no more and a new world order will be at hand.  No one is quite sure what that will look like or mean but we all know that it is coming.  Once you could buy newspapers at the local newsstand, read it in your den, in the park, go to the library, talk about things at the local barber/beauty shop and discuss things at the kitchen table.  But those days are all but gone... now its laptops, online video streaming, smart phones, tablets, it’s now news 24/7 at your fingertips.

If we want to remain in business, sell your products, maintain a certain market share, create a new client base, cross over into new demographics, to go global... then we have to remain "relevant" to the changing times.  These are new times...there are new technology tools in which to connect and communicate with others on "matters that matter" and are at hand.   

Additionally, we must be able to get people fully engaged in an experience of an idea, product, brand, candidate, or cause, one that not only changes behavior, but changes minds, and sustains that change.  This can only occur when we understand the value systems of people, their senses, and social perspectives.  We can never assume that our views are the same as those who we wish to connect with.  Urban America always stands ready for a new connection and a new message... and it’s all “relevant.”  What do you think?