Corn Cobs Oh My!

Well, who’s ready for a tale of profound parenting enlightenment at the Minnesota State Fair, of all places! Ha, it may start that way, but the ending is where it gets good. As a parent, you know, between the daily rounds of rounding up sloths, socks, homework, sports, and other thrilling parental duties, there comes a moment—a moment when time slows down, the heavens part, and you just can't help but wonder, "Where did the time go?" or, "They're growing up so fast!" But wait, this ain't your typical sentimental blog.

So, there we were, hauling the whole family to the obligatory MN State Fair extravaganza, like we do every year. And let me tell you, it's an experience that never disappoints. Whether it's cheese curds, pickle pizza, or whatever weird concoction they've cooked up this time, we ate our way through the fair, just like everyone else. But here's where it gets hilarious and mind-blowing.

Every time I handed my kids a piece of garbage to dispose of, they looked at me as if I'd handed them a live grenade. I'd roll my eyes and point to the nearest black garbage can (there are hundreds of them), and they'd stand there, dumbfounded, before finally tossing it in. At first, I thought they were either weirdos or just incredibly grossed out by the trash cans. But no, it wasn't until we hit the Sweet Corn stand that the dots connected.

The kids, having devoured their corn, didn't bother me with the usual zillionth inquiry of where to chuck the cob. Nope, they grabbed it, strolled over to the compost, and deposited it there. Bingo! It hit me like a deep-fried Snickers bar – these younger generations weren't taught to be environmentally and socially conscious; they've been breathing it in since birth. Meanwhile, us “more mature” generations are still stuck in the dark ages (not really but let’s go with it for now).

These kids, and when I say kids, I mean they're probably way younger than whoever's reading this right now, are the future. They're living and breathing a future branding strategy that many companies can't wrap their heads around because they're focused on immediate or short-term profits and strategies. These young generations are the real deal people. They're your future customers, and guess what? They matter because they're going to change the purchasing game.

So, have you and your company or brand thought about how you're going to connect with these eco-conscious, socially-aware, next-gen warriors? Are you ready to open up your strategy to include them? Because let me tell you, these kids won't be buying stuff the way previous generations did. They care about the world, and they've been doing it since they were in diapers.

So, take a minute to think about it. How do you want to leave your brand with these upcoming generations? How can you align yourself with these future consumers? If you haven't thought about it, now's the time to start. This generation's coming in hot, and if you're not prepared, you'll be left in the dust. Just like the Minnesota State Fair, folks, just like the Minnesota State Fair.