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Understanding Four Generations in the Workplace

Presented by:Patricia PippertP2 Enterprises

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PRESENTER BIOGRAPHYPatricia Pippert, a consultant, trainer, and presenter, works both domestically and internationally. Her career includes working for American International Group (AIG), where she started up a training department. Ms. Pippert is a skilled learning and development expert and executive coach, with extensive experience in assessing needs and implementing solutions for senior management.  She is a member of the American Management Association and has an MA in Organizational Management. With a background as a stage and screen actress in New York, she brings a vitality and dynamic energy to her training and is a sought-after keynote speaker at financial, manufacturing, and technology conferences.

“These young people are not living in our times; we are living in theirs.”

www.Managing-Generation-Y.com

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Traditionalists / Silent /Veterans: 1900 - 1945

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Baby Boomers: 1946 – 1964

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Generation X: 1965 - 1980

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Generation Y / Millennials /Echo Boomers : 1981 - 1999

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“We were all young once – but the truth is we were not all young under the same circumstances.”

Garrison Wynn, Wynn Solutions

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Why is knowledge of the various generations important to us?

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Why is knowledge of the various generations important to us?

• Baby Boomers are retiring (50% within next 3 years)• “Those who have shaped and guided our path are

preparing to retire” in record numbers • By 2014, 31 million Gen Y’s will be in the workplace

(outnumbering X’s)• Largest # college graduates entering workforce, 2013-14• Reputation of business as “questionable”; scandals that

have led public to question the integrity of the industry• Helps us to recruit and retain Gen Y’s to remain

competitiveDeloitte & Touche USA, Generational Talent Management for Insurers, 2008

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What are Our Similar Values?To be:• Respected• Recognized• Remembered

To be:• Coached• Consulted• Connected

W. Stanton Smith, Decoding Generational Differences, 2008 11

What are Gen Y’s Additional Values?

W. Stanton Smith, Decoding Generational Differences, 2008

• Flexibility

• Balance

• Respect

• Accessibility

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How do the Dissimilarities Manifest At Work?

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• Relationship with organization• Relationship with authority• Relationship with information/feedback• Work styles / work ethic• Learning styles / technology

How the Dissimilarities Manifest At Work

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Relationship with OrganizationVeteran Boomer Gen X Gen YLoyal to one organization (employer)

Loyal to the team; driven to succeed

Loyal to the manager

Career =My life

Career =Self worth; an anchor in life

Career =One part of me; looking for work-life balance

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Relationship with AuthorityVeteran Boomer Gen X Gen YRespect for authority and hierarchy

Challenge authority;competitive

Unimpressed by authority; pragmatic

Seniority and job titles are respected

Tell me what I should do

Desire a flat, democratic organization

Let me show you what I can do

Competence and skills are respected

Tell me what you can do for me

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Relationship with Information

Veteran Boomer Gen X Gen YShares on a “need-to-know” basis

Seeks out info; communicates with others

Very commu-nicative; has personal networks

Feedback =“No news is good news”

Feedback =Once a year, with lots of documentation

Feedback=“Sorry to interrupt, but how am I doing?”

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Work Styles / Work Ethic

Veteran Boomer Gen X Gen YLinear Structured Flexible

Follow the rules

Challenge the rules

Change the rules

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Learning Preferences / Technology

Veteran Boomer Gen X Gen YStructured, traditional classroom

Interactive / group learning through facilitation

Fluid, OJT using technology

Not very comfortable w/technology

Fairly comfortable w/technology

Very comfortable w/technology as a tool

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What Has Shaped Generation Y?SITUATION HOW IT PLAYS OUT AT WORKTrophy Children

Over-programmed

High expectations

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What Has Shaped Generation Y?SITUATION HOW IT PLAYS OUT AT WORKGenerational Isolation

Technology/Simulations

Disrupted families and communities

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What can we do to appeal to them?WHAT WE CAN DO

Recruiting •Utilize available online tools to promote (schools’, your organization’s website)•Tell them what our industry contributes to society•Point out the balance between “profit” and “people”•Bring Gen Y person with you to speak at Career Fairs•Make PowerPoint professional & presentation interactive•Specific examples of how people learn thru experience•Utilize webinars to reach candidates (interactive)•BE TOTALLY HONEST; don’t make promises you can’t keep

Setting goals

•Be clear about goals (attire, deadlines, writing, Internet usage, how tasks fit in to the big picture)•Let them drop in; hold roundtables to get their input•Ask them about their skills & interests; build into the job•Assess with them regularly (not just year end) & revamp their path•Reward for progress, effort, not just results

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WHAT WE CAN DODeveloping •Have them “tag along” with you to meetings, etc.

•“Hand them off” to another team member•Do role plays (cold calling, client interface)•Give variety of tasks & experiences (job rotation)•Give them best tools & technology you can (get them on technology task force; have them teach YOU how to use)

Managing & Motivating

•Think like a mentor/coach, not an authority figure•Give frequent feedback (progress, effort, results)•Communicate often (multi-channel); be transparent•Make sure they know who to go to for answers•If various offices, erase barriers (email, text, video, webinar); let them lead a meeting•Help them build networks within organization•Flexible work arrangements (virtual, telecommuting)•Regularly ask for their suggestions and ideas (their job, how to reach consumers, how to communicate)

What can we do to appeal to them?

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“These kids are learning how to do things faster, smarter and better. They have the potential to be the most productive work force in history.”

Dr. Carolyn Martin“Managing the Generation Mix” (HRD Press)

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Understanding Four Generations in the Workplace

YOUR QUESTIONS?If you do not have the opportunity to have your question addressed during the Seminar, you may contact the presenter directly:

Patricia PippertP2 EnterprisesPeesquared@aol.comwww.P2Enterprises.com(773) 404-8960