Transcript Baby Boomers, Gen X & Gen Y How do work together?

Baby Boomers
Gen X & Gen Y
How do we work together?
The Generations
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Veterans
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Generation Y
pre
1946
1965
1978
1946
– 1964
– 1977
– 1994
Understanding Y by Peter Sheahan
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Generation Y
Men of
character
Men & women
of character
What is
character
I love Lucy
Happy Days
Jerry Springer
Beatles
Madonna
Eminem
Earn it
It’s not
everything
Work my way to Shortcut to the
the top
top
Give it to me
Ignorant of it
Feel it in their
gut
Comfortable
Give me
Saturday off or
I’ll quit
Characteristics
GEN X
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Both parents working
Latch key kids
More resourceful
Individualistic, self
reliant & irreverent
Relationships
Outcomes
Their rights
Own view on corporate
loyalty & status symbols
Easy to recruit
Hard to retain
Enjoy technology
GEN Y
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Optimistic, cyber kids
Confident & sociable
Strong morals
Passion community service
Comfortable with ethnicity
Workplace flexibility
Think differently
Mature, resilient & practical
Fast learners
Multi-taskers
Team orientated
Technology is their bag
Grew up with Internet,
speed & access to info
Values
VETERANS
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Privacy
Hard
work
Trust
Formality
Authority
Social
order
BABY BOOMERS
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Competition
Hard work
Success
Team work
Body
language
Anti rules
Fight for a
cause
GEN X
GEN Y
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Entrepreneurial
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Independence
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spirit
Creativity
Information
Feedback
Quality worklife
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Positive
reinforcement
Positive
attitude
Diversity
Money
Technology
Team work
Factors to consider:
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Gen X - most educated
Gen Y - most technologically savvy
Boomers often took a job for life
Gen Y - expect change jobs regularly
Gen X - want work / life balance
Gen Y – team focussed
We don't have to
agree
however
we must strive to
understand the
different mind-sets
and
how each group
sees the world
based on their
experiences
Differences & similarities to
benefit our businesses
DIFFERENT OUTLOOK
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Veterans
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Generation Y
work first
live to work
work to live
live then work
Veteran
Baby boomers
Generation X
Generation Y
Formality
See the steps
leading to the
goal
Tell them what Provide
needs to be
opportunities
done, not how for continuous
learning
Logic of
actions
Love pep talks
Ask for
reactions &
opinions
Be more of a
coach, than a
boss
Traditional
recognition
Wide public
profile style
recognition
Informal
recognition
day off
Informal
communication
through
email/passage
conversation
Benefits from multigenerational
work teams
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More flexible
Broad insight in your
customer base
Talented people of all ages
Decisions are stronger
More innovative
Meet the needs of diverse
public
Strategies
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Educate the managers & leaders
Coach less experienced team members
Re-design jobs to fit
Offer greater flexibility in work contracts
Mobilise the workforce
Develop Learning Organisations
Create more inclusive workplaces
Examples
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Use IT savvy Gen Y with technology
Workplace flexibility
Reward interest with projects
Regular meetings
Include in goal setting
Ask them what they want
Motivational Tactics
Respect
 Straight talk
 Good pay
 Interesting work
 Feel their job is important
 Defined roles & responsibilities
 Opportunity for self-development
 Amount of freedom & flexibility
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Communicate with Xers
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Learn the language of X
Use e-mail & voice mail
Present facts, use straight talk
Ask them for feedback
Share info immediately & often
Use an informal communication
Listen!
Provide a challenging environment
Allow individual growth & development
Assign projects that stimulate
Communicate with Yers
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Paint pictures with words
Use action verbs – cut the crap
Don't talk down
Show respect
Use e-mail, voicemail & text
Use visual communication
Constantly seek their feedback
Use humor
Encourage them to explore new options
Team Work Y Style
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Team members mix outside of work
Enjoy staff gatherings
Encourage to mix with workmates
Arrange social events to involve team
Y’s sense of team runs deep
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Get to know your team, as a team
and as individuals
Be personable
Your staff are people not cogs or
numbers
Do not patronise – they will run a
mile
Remember
Gen X & Gen Y
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They don’t tolerant poor leadership
They are not afraid to speak up
Use their communication medium
Use their terminology
Have fun at work!