The New Era

The Hybrid Professional

• “Hybrid” Definition: Something made by combining two different elements, mixed character; composed of mixed parts.

• Two kinds of components that produce the same or similar result.• Hybrid roles are intersection points for cross-team expertise, collaboration and

communication.

• People in hybrid roles understand many different perspectives both internal and external to the company.

• The hybrid professional works to integrate multiple perspectives in work being done with multiple teams.

• Hybrids have real potential for broadly connecting the dots in new ways, to help company innovation and competitiveness.

What is a “Hybrid”?

• “Hybrid” Car: Automobile with more than one power source, such as an electric motor and internal combustion engine or an electric motor with battery and fuel cells for energy storage

Two kinds of components working to produce a similar result

Different Examples of a “Hybrid”?

• Hybrid Golf Club: Cross between a fairway wood and an iron.

• Combines the needs of multiple clubs into one!• Hybrids have a similar shape to a wood but carry the advantage of

being easier to hit. Taking 2 needs & creating 1 positive solution

• The term here has been generalized, combining the familiar swing mechanics of an iron with the more forgiving nature and distance of a wood.

Two kinds of components that produce the same or similar result

Different Examples of a “Hybrid”?

Broad Definition:

• Bridge gaps between marketing channels.

• Provide a consistent business identity throughout traditional marketing

• Combination of TV, Print & Online Channels, such as websites and social media outlets.

What is “Hybrid Marketing”?

So What Makes a Hybrid?

• Combination of Personal & Professional skills that make you a unique factor!

• Make “the pieces fit” and inter-relate, when working with different teams.

• A hybrid brings recommendations and innovations to their company

• They understand how to attract & bring in new business with unique tactics!

• Experience in the technology, business, and people-oriented

The Rise of Hybrid Professionals

The New Demand:

• 2 Key Traits of a Hybrid Professional: Curiosity - Desire to learn

• Perform across multiple disciplines – Learns new ideas easily

• Highly proficient writers - Able to multi-task.

• Tech Savvy - Strong competencies in Business Relations & IT Services.• Email, mobile, analytics, social networking, web, search & content.

The Rise of Hybrid Professionals

Value of a Hybrid ProfessionalI’m good at a lot of things, but I’m not expert at all of them. That probably sounds like a bad thing in today’s day and age BUT IT’S NOT• The business world use to be ruled by expertise (specialists).

• To advance in your career it was thought that you needed to specialize. • As the world changes, the challenges of connecting dozens of business pieces

together increases• It’s never been more important to be an amazing generalist.

• A connector, a hybrid, a cross-functional player.

“Deserted Island Question”

Jack-of-All-Trades or a Master of Just One?QUESTION: Is it better to focus your energy on 1 single discipline, or is it better to have a diverse skillset?

Generalists – “Hybrids” • Wide variety of knowledge & can think quickly on their feet

• Generalists can market themselves to a broader job market.

• A wide variety of knowledge leads to new ways of looking at problems.

Specialists• Specialists, on the other hand, have more depth of knowledge in one specific area, which helps them

standout from the pack.

• Specialists become blinded by their own area of expertise

• Not as versatile as a Generalist. “One Trick Pony”

• “Tunnel-Vision” with no flexibility to adapt

• Unable to spot new opportunities or think outside of their comfort zone.

Generalists vs. Specialists

Make yourself valuable by ‘GENERALIZING’ in a given area and bring a big-picture mindset to the table, then you’re GOLDEN!

The Key to Success

“Jack of All Trades/Hybrid” or “Master of One”?

• Only YOU know what you are & what your worth is?

• It’s up to YOU to make yourself a wanted commodity • Is it better to be GREAT at just one thing?

• Or is it better to be GOOD at a lot of things?

So What are You?

• Flexibility – Personable – Creative – Organized – Connected – Engaging

• Wears Multiple Business Hats (or faces) – Able to Shifts Gears Easily

• Wide Variety of Knowledge in Several Areas relative to your industry

Key Components to a Hybrid