Baby Boomers Gen X & Gen Y How do we work together?

1. Baby Boomers Gen X & Gen YHow do we work together?

2. The Generations • Veterans pre 1946 • Baby Boomers 1946 – 1964 • Generation X 1965 – 1977 • Generation Y 1978 – 1994

4. Understanding Y by Peter Sheahan

5. GEN X 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 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 Characteristics

6. VETERANS Privacy Hard work Trust Formality Authority Social order BABY BOOMERS Competition Hard work Success Team work Body language Anti rules Fight for a cause Values GEN X • Entrepreneurial spirit • Independence • Creativity • Information • Feedback • Quality work-life GEN Y • Positive reinforcement • Positive attitude • Diversity • Money • Technology • Team work

7. Factors to consider: • 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

8. 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

9. Differences & similarities to benefit our businesses

10. DIFFERENT OUTLOOK • Veterans work first • Baby Boomers live to work • Generation X work to live • Generation Y live then work

12. Benefits from multigenerational work teams • More flexible • Broad insight in your customer base • Talented people of all ages • Decisions are stronger • More innovative • Meet the needs of diverse public

13. Strategies • 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

14. Examples • Use IT savvy Gen Y with technology • Workplace flexibility • Reward interest with projects • Regular meetings • Include in goal setting • Ask them what they want

15. 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

16. Communicate with Xers • 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

17. Communicate with Yers • 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

18. Team Work Y Style • Team members mix outside of work • Enjoy staff gatherings • Encourage to mix with workmates • Arrange social events to involve team

19. Y’s sense of team runs deep • 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

20. Remember Gen X & Gen Y • They don’t tolerant poor leadership • They are not afraid to speak up • Use their communication medium • Use their terminology • Have fun at work!