How to be a Pot of Gold level Employee
In the 2012-2013 academic year, we’ve heard career advice from an ambitious turkey and elf trying to attain their dream internship/jobs. If you were impressed by those career savvy holiday fixtures, wait until you hear what you can learn from a leprechaun… after all we are approaching St. Patrick’s Day.
Although Santa makes his grand marketing appearance every autumn, few other holiday characters
have transcended past their season and impacted the advertising world more than the leprechaun. Yep, our dear friend Lucky, the poster child of Lucky Charms has raked in millions of dollars since its 1964 introduction to the market. Although the taste may factor into this profit, we are most impressed by Lucky’s ability to sustain his image for 59 years!
….How does he do it?
1.) Dress to Impress: When you have holiday characters like Cupid strolling around in a glorified diaper and the Easter Bunny putting no effort into his au-natural look, the bar is set pretty low for holiday symbols’ business attire. However, their fashion faux paus did not stop Lucky the leprechaun from going the extra mile by sporting a tailored green blazer, shirt, black fitted pants and some classy emerald dress shoes. This little leprechaun’s appearance is not only stylish in an understated way, but business ready.
2.) Be Memorable (In a Good Way!): The best brands boast memorable taglines, commercials and ads. (Or sometimes brands create jingles that are so annoyingly catchy you can’t forget them despite your greatest efforts—still these are memorable, just in a bad way). Similarly in the workforce well-prepared employees keep their best “elevator pitch” in their back pockets in the off chance they encounter a higher up exec one-on-one. It’s all about being able to sell yourself in the best way possible. As for Lucky, his ingenious tagline “they’re after me lucky charms” has become timeless. His cheerful delivery has inspired millions of sweet-toothed children to attempt their best Irish accent. Moreover, the jingle “hearts, stars and horseshoes! Clover and blue moons! Pots of gold and rainbows and me red balloons!” has successfully convinced every kid to pick all of the lucky charms marshmallows out of the bowl rather than eat the whole cereal. (Run out of marshmallows=Need more cereal=money in General Mills’ bank). And just for argument’s sake, who would want to hear Santa or the Tooth Fairy say “they’re magically delicious!”? ….that just doesn’t work. Case & Point: The world won’t soon forget our brisk little leprechaun.
3.) Keep a Positive Attitude: Lucky is constantly being chased by a pack of screaming children trying to steal his possessions. It’s like he is a camp counselor for overly persistent, kleptomaniac children. Despite this horrible job, Lucky maintains his cheery, optimistic demeanor and refuses to snap. Similarly in the work force, we aren’t always going to align with our superiors or fellow employees; however, staying cool, calm and collected is pivotal for excelling in a career. [Side note: Speaking of crazed children, I’d also like to give a shout-out to the Trix Yogurt Bunny here… those kids are relentless too …you are not a Silly rabbit and yogurt isn’t just for kids.]
4.) Stay Dynamic: With technology constantly evolving, adaptability is key. Today, success means staying on your toes, mapping strategies and always being willing to evolve with the industry. In Lucky Charms commercials, Lucky often finds himself cornered on the edge of a cliff or trapped in a tricky situation, yet somehow he ALWAYS manages to escape. Although these are situations Lucky cannot anticipate, he has built up a certain set of sly magical skills, which enable him to adapt to whatever predicament he finds himself in. Essentially, he is a cross between Jason Bourne & Harry Houdini…and it works.
….So, in Summary
- In whatever field you go into: Dress well, Be well remembered, Have a good attitude & be adaptable!
- We think Lucky the Leprechaun may secretly be Richard Branson.
