Young Professionals – Time to Teach the Old Folks How

By on September 30, 2006 in Brain Stew with 4 Comments

An active member of the Des Moines Young Professionals Connection asked me if I knew of other YP groups using feeds and blogs. I hadn’t really looked into it, but I was confident that I could put together dozens of items for him.

Interesting timing since the YPC here just redesigned their site without RSS feeds.

My plan was to find all the YP feeds, then put them into FeedBlendr so they could use as desired. We did something similar on the IABC/Iowa site, first using FeedBlendr, then FeedBurner’s BuzzBoost to publish the feeds.

We hit a snag. Most every YP site is still using PDFs, Web 1.0 calendar tools, and hosting photos on their own server.

So here, in one short paragraph, are the YP groups I found using feeds or blogs:

With all that the Savannah EconDev is doing with feeds, not much forward movement with the YP group. I did find a great listing of YP groups at YP Commons

A challenge to all Young Professional groups out there. You should be on the cutting edge. True, mentors can teach you some things about business. But you can teach them some things too! Enough with the (cob)web sites (Yucch to my hometown of Monterey, CA).

Here’s a pop quiz: What do these sites have in common?

YP Iowa
YP Ames
YP Dubuque

Each of them are Iowa Young Professionals (cob)web sites. But that’s not the answer. None of them will know that I linked to them – or what I just said about them. They aren’t using the right tools to do business in today’s marketplace. If I’m wrong, slap me in the comments section.

If I missed out on finding your YP efforts (why isn’t it findable?), please let me know.

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  • http://getanewbrowser.com Andy Brudtkuhl

    I think the YP organization needs an overhaul with people who understand how young professionals conduct themselves in business and social settings.
    I for one (as a young professional) find little to no value in being involved with this organization. Granted the networking can come in handy but that can be accomplished in many, many other forums / mediums.
    Another thing (as you mentioned) is that the websites just suck from design to content to message. Where’s the YP blog or shared calendar or YP OPML or RSS event / content syndication? As a networking / social group they lack any kind of conversation.
    I totally agree Mike.

  • Adam Steen

    Normally I’d try to do some damage control in this situation, but I don’t think YPC heard either of you!
    It’s too bad, in my opinion, because I think the YPC could have something very special.
    Hopefully we can turn this into an organization that can provide value to Young Professionals in the State of Iowa.
    Don’t give up hope in the Professional Development side of YPC… I’ve got some cool things in the works!

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    Andy and Adam,
    Part of the challenge is using the right tools. By equipping groups to listen, they’ll be better able to hear:-)

  • http://netyp.blogspot.com Vanessa Williams

    Wow. As a member of Lehigh Valley Network of Young Professionals must say I am surprised and somewhat bewildered that we are only one of three young professionals blogs out there. We are trying our best to encourage conversation with our members. I hope other organizations stand up and take notice. Thanks!

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