Transcript Document 7309907

Exploring Generational Differences:
Serving Generation Y with a Workforce of Baby Boomers and
Generation X
NCAPPA Conference
March 7-8, 2012
Charlotte, N.C.
David Holthouser
Director of Facilities Management
Davidson College
Which type of customer contact do you prefer?
1) Face to Face communication
2) Email
3) Telephone
4) Texting
Which type of reward motivates you the most?
1) Satisfaction of a job well done
2) Title and recognition
3) Money
4) Vacation
What is important to you?
1) Your experience is respected
2) Being valued and needed in your workplace
3) Do it your way and forget the rules
4) Working with bright and creative people
Which type of leadership belongs to you?
1) Top down style of management
2) Chain of Command
3) Self Command
4) Collaborative
Which best describes your interactive style?
1) Individual
2) Team Player
3) Entrepreneur
4) Participative
How often do you want feedback?
1) Feedback is not necessary
2) During a performance review
3) Just enough to let me know I am on the right track
4) All the time
Your loyalty is toward….
1) The organization
2) The importance and meaning of work
3) Your individual goals
4) People or projects
How often do you use a computer for personal
use?
1) Seldom
2) Just use at work is enough for me
3) Everyday
4) Cannot live without it
How do you feel about work and money?
1) Work hard to be financially secure, and do not waste
your money
2) Work should be meaningful, and money should be
spent on something you love
3) Work should be short so you can get to your true
interest. Money is not all that important.
4) Work should be as fun as possible. Life is short, so
enjoy your money.
Exploring Generational Differences:
Using the number
associated with each
answer, add up your
points total.
Score 9 – 20: Typical of the TRADITIONALISTS
generation, generally referencing people born
between 1922 – 1945.
Score 21 – 25: Typical of the BABY BOOMER
generation, generally referencing people born
between 1945 – 1964.
Score 26-30: Typical of GENERATION X, generally
referencing people born between 1965 – 1980.
Score 31 – 36: Typical of GENERATION Y (also known
as MILLENNIALS), generally referencing people
born between 1981 – 2000.
Quiz Source: Instrument developed by T. Sesangthong for his Capstone Project:
http://ectd.du.edu/uploads/19833130.pdf
Exploring Generational Differences:
Robert (Bob) Collins 1946-2007
David Holthouser 1969-
Director of Physical Plant
The Citadel 1978-1990
Director of Facilities Management
2000 - present
Director of Physical Plant
Davidson College1990–2000
B.S.M.E North Carolina State
University 1992
B.A. Fresno College
(then) 31 years old, now 42
Lieutenant Colonel
U.S. Army 1966 - 1977
Two tours in Vietnam
174 Attack Helicopter Company
Director Experience = 0
Attended US Army Corps of
Engineers training schools
Early Baby Boomer
Generation X
Exploring Generational Differences:
Generation
Birth Years
2013 % of
Workforce
Veterans
1922-1945
2%
Boomers
1945-1964
32%
Generation “X”
1965-1980
39%
Generation “Y”
1981-2000
27%
Exploring Generational Differences:
Generation
Veterans
b. 1922-1945
Came of Age
1941-1960
Raised by
Depression Era
Parents
Fought in World
War II
Nuclear Family
Exploring Generational Differences:
Generation
Veterans
b. 1922-1945
Came of Age
1941-1960
Baby Boomers
b. 1945-1964
Came of Age
1960-1980
Prosperity at end of war
Nuclear Family Disintegrating
Education is a birthright
Question Authority
Exploring Generational Differences:
Generation
Veterans
b. 1922-1945
Came of Age
1941-1960
Baby Boomers
b. 1945-1964
Came of Age
1960-1980
Generation X
Raised by Boomers now
turned conservative
b. 1965-1980
Came of Age
1980 - 1999
Raised in dual income
families as latch key kids
Watched parents suffer
layoffs
Exploring Generational Differences:
Generation
Veterans
b. 1922-1945
Came of Age
1941-1960
Baby Boomers
b. 1945-1964
Came of Age
1960-1980
Generation X
Raised by parents who did not want to
repeat latch-key independence
b. 1965-1980
Came of Age
1980 - 1999
Generation Y
Participated in multiple activities in multiple
group settings
Have always known technology.
b. 1981-2000
Came of Age
1999- present
Cell phones common. Evolution of free cell
minutes
Exploring Generational Differences:
Generation
Organizational Behaviors
Veterans
Typically disciplined, loyal team players who work within the
system. They are respectful of authority, patient and follow the rules.
Obviously, they have a vast knowledge legacy to share and embody
a traditional work ethic.
b. 1922-1945
Came of Age
1941-1960
Baby Boomers
b. 1945-1964
Came of Age
1960-1980
Generation X
b. 1965-1980
Came of Age
1980 - 1999
Generation Y
b. 1981-2000
Came of Age
1999- present
Boomers tend to be optimistic, ambitious, competitive, and focus on
their personal accomplishments. They believe in working long-hours
and expect the younger generations to adopt this approach. They
have ruled the workplace for years and are comfortable in the
culture they created.
Having seen their parents laid off or face job insecurity, they’ve
redefined loyalty. Instead of remaining loyal to their company, they’re
committed to their work and people they work with. They are
skeptical, risk-takers and want fun in the workplace. They also seek
more work-life balance.
They are typically team-oriented, and work well in groups, as
opposed to individual endeavors. Also, they’re used to tackling
multiple tasks with equal energy, so they expect to work hard.
They’re good multi-taskers, having juggled sports, school and social
interests growing up.
Exploring Generational Differences:
Generation
Workplace Strengths
Veterans
• Hard-working
• Stable
• Loyal
• Thorough
• Detail oriented
• Focused
• Emotionally mature
b. 1922-1945
Came of Age
1941-1960
Baby Boomers
b. 1945-1964
Came of Age
1960-1980
Generation X
b. 1965-1980
Came of Age
1980 - 1999
Generation Y
b. 1981-2000
Came of Age
1999- present
• Team perspective
• Dedicated
• Experienced
• Knowledgeable
• Service-oriented
• Independent
• Adaptable
• Creative
• Techno-literate
• Willing to challenge status quo
• Optimistic
• Able to multitask
• Tenacious
• Technologically savvy
• Driven to learn and grow
• Team oriented
Exploring Generational Differences:
Generation
Workplace Struggles
Veterans
• Reticent when they disagree
• Respect for diversity
• Reluctant to buck the system
• Uncomfortable with conflict
• Presenteeism related to medical issues
• Not as comfortable with Technology
b. 1922-1945
Came of Age
1941-1960
Baby Boomers
b. 1945-1964
Came of Age
1960-1980
Generation X
b. 1965-1980
Came of Age
1980 - 1999
Generation Y
b. 1981-2000
Came of Age
1999- present
•Nontraditional work styles of Generations X and Y
• Technology replacing human interaction
• Sharing praise and rewards
• Balancing work and family
• Uncomfortable with conflict, reluctant to go against peers
• Career development
• Conflict resolution and office politics
• Multi-generational team projects
• Balancing work and family
• Skeptical and distrustful of Authority
• Respectful communication
• Functional literacy
• Need supervision and structure, especially with people
issues.
• Reject the concept of “paying dues,” expect input
immediately.
Exploring Generational Differences:
Boomers problems with Gen X:
Boomer’s problems with Gen Y:
No company loyalty
Desire for a flexible schedule
No respect for authority
Lack of respect for authority
No appreciation for paying dues or tenure
Want direction & enjoy collaboration
Job hoppers
Their informality at work
Are not hard workers or rule followers
Need to be supervised
Too independent – don’t see value in work
Excessive reliance on technology
relationships
Inappropriate use of technology
Seek work/life balance at expense of production
Exploring Generational Differences:
Gen X’s problems with Boomers:
Gen X’s problems with Gen Y
Too hierarchical
Expect instant reward
Distrust loyalty to company
Expect immediate feedback
Rules shouldn’t matter, achieving goals does
Lack appreciation for infrastructure development
Full of double-speak, schmoozers
Too easily bored
Too structured
Lack of respect for money
Arrogant, used to dominating every trend and market place
Too focused on relationships
Not focused on getting work done
Exploring Generational Differences:
Gen Y’s problems with Boomers
Delaying retirement/no opportunities for promotion
Work obsessed
Gen Y’s problem with Gen X
Micromanagers
Not willing to work the time needed
Too autonomous
Take too many risks (“dot.coms”)
Resistant to change
Not willing to collaborate
Aversion to technology
Exploring Generational Differences:
Serving Generation Y (our current customers)
Hours of Operation
Communication Means
Role of Parents
Exploring Generational Differences:
Serving Generation Y (our current customers)
What are your campuses experiencing?
Response Time Expected
Role of Peer opinion
Use or Misuse of Chain of Command
Telecom as a Fundamental Utility
Expectation of Sustainability
Classroom Design
Exploring Generational Differences:
iGeneration?
Exploring Generational Differences:
Parting Shot: If you have not browsed your campus on You Tube, do so soon…….
Sources:
“Mixing and Managing Four Generations in the Workforce” by Greg Hammill.
http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05ws/generations.htm
“Engaging the Multi-Generational Workforce”, HR Management (http://www.hrmreport.com/article/Issue-6/Wellness,-BenefitsANDCompensation/Engaging-the-Multi-generational-Workforce/);
“Engaging Multiple Generations among Your Workforce” by Devon Scheef and Diane Thielfoldt
(http://www.keepem.com/pdf/Engaging%20Multiple%20Generations%20among%20Your%20Workforce.pdf);
Leading a Multigenerational Workforce, AARP, 2007; Managing the Multigenerational Workforce: Opportunity for Competitive
Success (HR Magazine).
“Techno Gap Faceoff: Gen Y vs. Baby Boomers,” by Diane Lanzillotta Bobis (http://www.bizme.biz/bizclass/techno-gap)
“Practical Research Report #16 – Baby Boomers and Generation X: Bridging the Gap,” by Brent Zinkand Employee Selection &
Development Inc.
(http://www.employeeselect.com/pr16.htm)
“Gen Y vs. Boomers: Workplace Conflict Heats Up,” by David Koeppel The Fiscal Times
(http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/11/11/Gen-Y-vs-Boomers-Workplace-Conflict-Heats-Up.aspx#page1)
Sirona Says Blog, “Ten Differences between Generation X and Generation Y Employees,”
http://blog.sironaconsulting.com/sironasays/2007/12/our-futurex-ver.html