generations research

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Alabama Training Institutessmith@ati.aum.edu

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LET’S ASSUME…

You are of the Baby Boomer GenerationYour parents are of the Greatest GenerationYour children are Gen XYour grandchildren are Gen YYour younger siblings are Generation Jones Your older siblings are Boomers

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Mom, where is my Ipod?

What’s an Ipod?

Honey, don’t run in the house…

Where are the keys to the SUV?

That is a gas guzzling vehicle!

He still lives with you?

Yes, he is old enough to be on his own.

When I was young, my father…

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I remember when….

Will someone sit down and eat dinner?

Did you see my new sports car?

But you are only fifteen.

I can’t deal with all this racket!

I don’t know where he is… probably outside.

Do you always let the kids run wild?

Do you know how wonderful you are.

You are going to spoil her.

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Have you seen my 50 Cents CD?

Where did you get a CD for .50?

No 50 Cents is a rapper?

A “rapper” - what are you “wrapping”?

Who is going to eat family dinner with me?

Where is Great Aunt Velma?

We forgot to pick her up at the nursing home.

“I think I am going insane!”

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““No matter how hard we try, we will No matter how hard we try, we will always be the “young kids” in the back always be the “young kids” in the back office.”office.”

““Those kids show no respect for Those kids show no respect for authority.”authority.”

““I am not staying after 5:00 – I have a I am not staying after 5:00 – I have a life! You need one too.”life! You need one too.”

““They have no vision or ability to think They have no vision or ability to think strategically.”strategically.”

““They have no real life.” They have no real life.”

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““The old geezer stubbornly refuses to The old geezer stubbornly refuses to accept change!”accept change!”

““That inexperienced know-it-all has me That inexperienced know-it-all has me pulling my hair out!”pulling my hair out!”

““You are right. I am the boss.”You are right. I am the boss.”

““The kid wants a promotion after six The kid wants a promotion after six months.”months.”

“We needed this report done now – not We needed this report done now – not later.”later.”

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““I have not done it yet. You didn’t tell I have not done it yet. You didn’t tell me it was urgent.”me it was urgent.”

““Take vacation and relax – maybe then Take vacation and relax – maybe then you can chill.”you can chill.”

““Why do it that way?”Why do it that way?”

““I’ll be in the break room.”I’ll be in the break room.”

““They have no work ethic. They are They have no work ethic. They are slackers.”slackers.”

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““Just tell me what needs to be done. Just tell me what needs to be done. Let me run my own show after that.”Let me run my own show after that.”

How can they stay with this one How can they stay with this one company for 30 something years!”company for 30 something years!”

““How do they think they can work with How do they think they can work with email, headphones, and cell phones all email, headphones, and cell phones all “going off?”“going off?”

““These young folks are changing jobs These young folks are changing jobs faster than their parents changed their faster than their parents changed their diapers!diapers!

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• Work trends• Work schedules/hours• Org chart hierarchy• Physical space• Location of offices• Décor• Interactions• Technology• Job descriptions• Role of authority• Talking• Dress code• Customer service• Authority• Learning styles

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• Benefits• Rewards and recognition• Recruiting• Team building• Dealing with change• Managing• Motivating• Increasing productivity• Workplace ethics• Turnover• Retention• Absences• Commitment• Promotion• Hiring

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GENERATIONAL GAPS

Stereotypes are used Labels are tossed about

Blaming becomes the norm Arguments are growing Excuses are rampant

Conflict becomes more confusing Demands to compromise intensify

Underestimate commonalitiesMisuse of diversity

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GENERATIONS SOLIDIFY

CreativityProblem solvingBlended learning

Positive atmosphereHealthy working conditions

SynergyResources pool

Growth and progressDiversity

Dividing generations has occurred since the early 1700s.

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Generations are defined as a population in society where

people are born in the same general time span who share key life experiences.

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Generational differences occur due to

the events and conditions during our formative years.

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Generational labels help to define the differences in who we are,

how we view the world, the way we think, our values. However, generational labeling

is just one of the influences on adult behavior.

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Some research defines the overlapas “being on the cusp” or called “cuspers.”

Some research identifies separate and distinct generations for the overlap.

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Generational difference should not be used for excuses.

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LET’S THINK …

Greatest Generation knows Kennedy was assassinated.

Baby Boomersknow Kennedy was associated with a

drowning.

Generation Jones, X and Y knows Kennedy was killed in a plane

crash.

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LET’S THINK …

Greatest Generation and Boomers believe December 7 was D-day.

Jonesers and Xers know it as the day after John Lennon was assassinated.

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LET’S THINK …

Most people in the Greatest Generation have never operated a computer.

Gen Yers do not know a world without DSL computers.

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LET’S THINK …

As kids, the Greatest Generation heard news about overall aspects of a war, over a

radio, a month or more after an event had

occurred.

Gen X and Y watch a battle live, as it occurs,

know where people are hidden and who may have been killed along with the

unfortunate families.

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GENERATIONS

GenerationJones25%

Baby Boomers

17%Greatest

Generation15%

Generation Y22%

Generation X21%

Greatest GenerationBaby BoomersBaby BustersGeneration XGeneration Y

Greatest GenerationBaby BoomersGeneration JonesGeneration XGeneration Y

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TO UNDERSTAND

What are their core values?What do they expect of their leaders?What is their definition of authority?

How do they define success?What is a motivational work

environment to them?What are the rewards they enjoy?

How are they different?

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Mature Generation Veteran Era Generation

G.I. Generation Silent Generation (later years)

Traditionalists Depression Generation

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Born 1920 to 1938 Around age 69 years to 87 years About 27 million Continue to be 5-10% of workforce Parents were of Missionary or Lost Generation Grew up in and aftermath of Great Depression Fought in WWII and Korean War Did not necessarily have a lot of children Wanted more for their children Started the first Girl and Boy Scouts Atomic Bomb was global thinking Learned patriotism Rotary phone and letters to communicate

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Rat Pack Ella Fitzgerald Laurence Welk Bob Hope John Wayne Readers Digest Life Magazine World Book Encyclopedia National Geographic Shirley Temple movies Frank Sinatra movies Gone with the Wind

Bonanza Leave it to Beaver Billy Graham Jimmy Carter Charleston Heston Joe Dimaggio FDR Bay of Pigs Front porch Breadlines Pearl Harbor Coca Cola

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Duty, honor, and conformity before pleasure Disciplined and dedicated Loyal team player and expect loyalty back Works within the system Believes they have a legacy to share Work ethic of hard work Measure work ethic on timeliness,

productivity Seniority sets promotions and raises

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Great faith in country and government Recognition is from not drawing attention to

self Possesses superb office interpersonal skills Demands quality over time and speed Follows the rules as established Standard options are fine, no fancy things Law and order Respect for authority Work is an obligation Satisfaction is a job well done

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Beat GenerationGeneration Jones (latter years)

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Born 1939 to 1955 Age 52 to 68 years old About 36 million With Gen Jones - forms 45 -50% of

workforce Came of age in 60’s flower child fantasy Grew up with stuff/love materialism Sexual revolution Highest median household incomes in U.S. Vietnam Hippies and Woodstock Hippies, Black Panthers, Counterculture Socialists, Communists Space program mania (Sputnik and Apollo

11) Rosa Parks

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Elvis Jimi HendrixBeach BoysMotownBeatlesCivil Rights MovementMuhammad AliMartin Luther KingNixonRoe vs. WadeGandhi

Doonsbury Beatle BaileyAll the President’s MenAmerican PieSaturday Night Live Bill ClintonGeorge W. BushPrince CharlesTony BlairOprah WinfreyGene Simmons

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Workaholics – work hours measure worth Highly competitive Work a plan Idealistic in endeavors Team work is essential Believe in social consciousness Comfortable in the work culture they created Change is painful Like people to fit the mold Believe in limited vacations Believe work/life balance is sign of weakness

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Age is not a barrier to work Want health and wellness Push themselves physically as they age more Use products that help them regain youth Technology brings problems as well as solutions Rules should be obeyed Rules can be broken if contrary to what they

want Want to look successful Want personal gratification Believe in involvement Don’t talk, give me money, title, and recognition Concerned with their parent’s elderly care

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Baby Boomer (latter years) Baby Busters Late Boomers

Isolation GenerationSunshine Generation

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Born 1956 to 1965 Age 42 to 51 years old About 43 million With Boomers, form 45-50% of workforce Strong need and desire for identity Felt overshadowed by Boomers Had lots of “stuff” Concerned with elderly parent care Concerned with child care Rebelled against the “looser” values of

Boomers

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Believe they can change the world Early televised image of protest and scandal Beatles were over rated

Nirvana was just noise

Saw cultural difference and conflict in politics

Will be the best leaders at the worst of times

Widely recognized as pivotal voting segment

Not loyal to a political party

Largest generational slice of each electorate

Major interest of top national media

Saw parents laid off by companies

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School integration Touch tone phones Michael Jackson Madonna Ice-T Prince Bryan Adams Magic Johnson Sandra Bullock Bruce Springsteen U2

Motown Monkeys ThirtySomething Dallas Brady Bunch The Partridge Family Disco One of these Nights Saturday Night Fever Jaws Sleepless in Seattle Fame

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► Resourceful► Think globally► Fun► Informality appreciated► Work is an exciting adventure► Freedom is best reward► Appreciate money for reward► Provides feedback immediately► Likes honesty and no politics► Non-traditional

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► Positive► Internally competitive► Do not care for long range planning► Likes and learns change► Very upfront about what they want► Self reliant► Idealistic but cynical

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MTV Generation

Nexters

Boomlet

Video Generation

Me Generation

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Born 1966 to 1977 Ages 30 to 41 years old About 49 million Grew up in widespread divorce Moms were working moms First “latchkey” kids Very independent and resourceful Questions the meaning of life Will not have the wealth as parents did First time a pill could have stopped their

lives Skeptical of government & religious

institutions Women’s Liberation in action

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Questions authorityQuestions authority Intensely loyal to peopleIntensely loyal to people Don’t care for short or long term planningDon’t care for short or long term planning Time is currencyTime is currency Seeks balance in lifeSeeks balance in life Do not need someone looking over shoulderDo not need someone looking over shoulder ResilientResilient AdaptableAdaptable Entered workforce with economy downturnEntered workforce with economy downturn Commitment to work careerCommitment to work career Want open communication regardless of Want open communication regardless of

age, age, title, position or tenuretitle, position or tenure

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The SimpsonsThe Simpsons The Cosby ShowThe Cosby Show Family TiesFamily Ties The CureThe Cure FriendsFriends Guns and RosesGuns and Roses U2U2 Band-Aid AidsBand-Aid Aids Berlin WallBerlin Wall The ChallengerThe Challenger Monica LewinskyMonica Lewinsky OJ Simpson trialOJ Simpson trial

Ferris Bueller’s Day OffFerris Bueller’s Day Off Pretty in PinkPretty in Pink Breakfast ClubBreakfast Club Barack ObamaBarack Obama Tom CruiseTom Cruise Johnny DeppJohnny Depp Chris RockChris Rock Tyra BanksTyra Banks Snoop DoggSnoop Dogg Drew BarrymoreDrew Barrymore Andre AgassiAndre Agassi Cell phonesCell phones

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Look for a person to whom they can devote Look for a person to whom they can devote loyalty – not a companyloyalty – not a company

Can spot a phony a mile awayCan spot a phony a mile away Rely on peer referrals not other generationsRely on peer referrals not other generations Embrace technology as a way to control timeEmbrace technology as a way to control time Expect immediate and ongoing feedbackExpect immediate and ongoing feedback Comfortable giving feedbackComfortable giving feedback Work well in multicultural settingsWork well in multicultural settings Desire fun in workplaceDesire fun in workplace Pragmatic approach to getting things donePragmatic approach to getting things done There is no career ladder – career latticeThere is no career ladder – career lattice Work to live not live to work Judged by characteristics given by the media

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Serious about their employabilitySerious about their employability Fluid career movesFluid career moves Likes flexibilityLikes flexibility Loves taking leaveLoves taking leave Concerned with proper child careConcerned with proper child care Carpe diem – can’t count on futureCarpe diem – can’t count on future Will run companies successfully but Will run companies successfully but

differentlydifferently Work is a contract or a difficult challengeWork is a contract or a difficult challenge Freedom is rewardFreedom is reward Motivation is to forget rules and do it their Motivation is to forget rules and do it their

wayway Taught to speak upTaught to speak up

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MTV Generation (latter years) Boomerang Generation

Generation Internet (latter years) Millennial Generation

iGeneration MySpace Generation

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Born 1978 to 1993 Age 14 to 29 years old About 74 million Lived in Advertising Age Raised at the most child-centered time Pampered in childhood Been showered with attention Parents scheduled children with activities Merged families and alternative families Rode with soccer moms in vans Will know more technology in life than others

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Grew up with affluence with growing economy Protected by parents through every situation Bumper stickers and shoe polish praise kids Used to busy schedule and day timers Hung out in groups rarely pairing off Only known of terrorism Only known of computers Treated like friends and equal of parents Often busy and stressed in childhood

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Programmed parents VCR and computers Do not know a world without computers Blogs, MTV, Wikipedia, YouTube, Internet Last group wholly born in 20th century Well educated Earn to spend Education is an expense One of three is a minority Gay parents Single parents Live Earth is global thinking

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Photo phones Email Text Computer games Mean Girls Body piercing Lord of the Rings The Matrix Rap Hip hop Challenger First Gulf War 9/11

War on Terror Columbine High Extreme sports D.A.R.E. Meth Pharming parties Shoe polished cars Robot pets Ipod Avril Lavigne Kelly Clarkson Jessica Simpson Nelly

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Group orientation Hard time focusing Have huge goals Future is very short term “Success” means “balance” Like their own work hours Very self confident Works well in teams Prefers to work independently Have high expectations of workplace and

people Believe in civic duty Have stricter moral codes like Greatest Gen

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Street smart Likes diversity Willing to work and learn Work is means to an end for fulfillment Likes structure in the workplace Multitasking is easy Respects positions and titles Believes everyone can work and play hard Enjoys the material comfort and the good life Demands respect and prove themselves later Likes flexibility at work Pack mentality

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• May walk from job if unsatisfied• Achievement oriented• Extremely well connected in workplace/networks• Do not want to be hurried• Search for person to help them achieve goals• Works easy with Greatest Generation• Look for ways to shred stress in lives• Looks at companies’ altruism • Loyal consumers• Taught to speak up and wants others to do so• Want to be challenged• Expect to be paid well• Want friendly environments

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Greatest Stable

Boomers Service oriented

Jonesers Adaptable

Xers Work/life balance

Yers Multitask/ techno -savvy

STRENGTH

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Greatest Practical

Boomers Optimistic

Jonesers Cautious

Xers Skeptical

Yers Hopeful

OUTLOOK

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Greatest Dedicated

Boomers Driven

Jonesers Independent

Xers Balanced

Yers Determined

WORK ETHIC

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Greatest Trust hierarchy

Boomers Want consensus

Jonesers Likes team

Xers Value competence

Yers Pulling together

LEADERSHIP

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Greatest Respectful

Boomers Crave it

Jonesers Not impressed

Xers Not intimidated

Yers Polite

AUTHORITY

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Greatest Personal Sacrifice

Boomers Personal Gratification

Jonesers Reluctant to commit

Xers Fluid

Yers Inclusive

RELATIONSHIPS

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Greatest Segregated

Boomers Integration began

Jonesers Integration partially implemented

Xers Fully integrated

Yers No majority race

DIVERSITY

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Greatest No news is good news

Boomers Once a year with documentation

Jonesers Year round feedback

Xers Interrupts and asks for feedback

Yers Wants feedback at the push of a button

FEEDBACK

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Greatest In writing / memo or letter

Boomers Face to face

Jonesers Phones and meetings

Xers Cell phones, emails, anytime

Yers Internet, cell phones, text during the work day

COMMUNICATION

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Greatest Put it away and pay cash

Boomers Buy now, pay later

Jonesers Save and spend

Xers Conserve

Yers Earn to spend

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Greatest Traditional nuclear

Boomers Disengaged

Jonesers Disintegrating

Xers Latch key kids

Yers Merged families

FAMILY

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Greatest Chain of command

Boomers Competitive

Jonesers Paticipatory

Xers Self-commanding

Yers Collaborative

MANAGEMENT STYLE

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Greatest Build a legacy

Boomers Build a stellar career

Jonesers Build yourself in job you love

Xers Build a portable career

Yers Build parallel careers

CAREER GOALS

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Needs to hear ideas by linking to strategic plans.Needs to hear ideas by linking to strategic plans. Needs help in work/life balance programs.Needs help in work/life balance programs.Needs to use diversity in offices and teams.Needs to use diversity in offices and teams.Must handle conflict with generations immediately.Must handle conflict with generations immediately.May need to lighten up about work times.May need to lighten up about work times.Use rewards such as raises and promotions.Use rewards such as raises and promotions.Provide elderly care programs.Provide elderly care programs.Be visible and available for younger workers.Be visible and available for younger workers.Need public recognition and statusNeed public recognition and statusRun political interference for younger workers.Run political interference for younger workers.Boomers need to allow fun in the workplace.Boomers need to allow fun in the workplace.Value their history.Value their history.

Baby Boomers

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Include Jonesers in work decisions and info.Include Jonesers in work decisions and info.Discuss project expectations right away.Discuss project expectations right away.Allow Jonesers some changes, if not more.Allow Jonesers some changes, if not more.Provide elderly and child care programs.Provide elderly and child care programs.Jonesers do not trust politics and office games.Jonesers do not trust politics and office games.Offer flexibility in schedules.Offer flexibility in schedules.Schedule career discussions.Schedule career discussions.Provide feedback continuously.Provide feedback continuously.Link employee work to “bottom line” Link employee work to “bottom line” performance.performance.Delegate more work to younger employees.Delegate more work to younger employees.Allow them to have fun and balance their lives.Allow them to have fun and balance their lives.Jonesers do not like offices with conflict.Jonesers do not like offices with conflict.

Generation Jones

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Show employees the future.Show employees the future.Value their risk-taking.Value their risk-taking.Xers see authority as casual – so be flexible.Xers see authority as casual – so be flexible.Break bonds of tradition.Break bonds of tradition.Invest in talent.Invest in talent.Build balance into their work.Build balance into their work.Add fun into workplace.Add fun into workplace.Offer flexibility in schedules.Offer flexibility in schedules.

Create continuous learning/training program.Create continuous learning/training program.Others need to be computer literate.Others need to be computer literate.Xers like to be flexible with changing rules.Xers like to be flexible with changing rules.Reward with time off.Reward with time off.Allow them to test authority figures.Allow them to test authority figures.

Generation X

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Others need to focus on performance results notOthers need to focus on performance results not how, when and where got it done.how, when and where got it done.

Assign group projects for Yers.Assign group projects for Yers.Provide engaging and varying experiences for Yers.Provide engaging and varying experiences for Yers.Benefits with tuition pay off, career path, child care.Benefits with tuition pay off, career path, child care.

Maintain advanced technology to keep Yers.Maintain advanced technology to keep Yers.Yers need to be constantly challenged.Yers need to be constantly challenged.Allow Yers to share their new ideas.Allow Yers to share their new ideas.Offer flexibility in their schedules.Offer flexibility in their schedules.Yers jobs need to fit personality.Yers jobs need to fit personality.Yers need intervention with health factors.Yers need intervention with health factors.Yers need work in friendly & positive environment.Yers need work in friendly & positive environment.Yers want to be respected and treated fairly.Yers want to be respected and treated fairly.

Generation Y

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Our shared hunger for knowledge

the thrill of pooling

our intellectual resources and discoveries creates a climate

where age has become irrelevant.

•Sean Clayton, Department of Energy, Generational Core Values, 2007.•Craig Seigle, Washington Post, Some Call it the Jones, April 6. 2000.•Cosmo Landsman, The Sunday Times (London), I’ve Finally Found My Generation, November 2004.•Geoff Williams, The Entrepreneur Magazine, 2000.•David Wastell, Telegraph.co.uk, 2001.•http://en.wikipedia.org, 2007.•U.S. Census Bureau, 2006.•Douglas Coupland, Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, 2005•Ron Zemke and Claire Raines, Generations at Work, 2000.•William Strass, Commentary on Nightly Business Report, 2007.•Reynol Junco and Keanna Mastrodicasa, Connecting to Net.Generation, 2007.•CMS Report, The New Workforce, February 2007.•United Way, Building Relationships with Generations X and Y, 2007.•www.fgiwqorld.com, Four Generations, 2007•Deloitte and Touche USA LLP, Connecting Across the Generations in the

Workplace, 2007.•Cam Marston, Four Generations in the Workplace, Marston Communications,

2007.•Sean Clayton, Department of Energy, Generations at Work, 2007.

REFERENCES

generations research

alabama training

cell phones

greatest generation

rights reserved

younger workers

sean clayton

2007 auburn

offer flexibility

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