DAY TWO
Zap the Gap
Solving the Multi-Generational Puzzle
Now is an exciting time. We have four generational flavors in the workplace:
The Traditional Generation
raised in the Great Depression, listening to Fred Allen
Baby Boomers
raised during Viet Nam, watching Ozzie & Harriet
Gen Xers
raised in single parent homes, imitating Beavis & Butthead
New Millennium
raised on the internet, living in Southpark
If you do not understand these examples then you definitely need to ZAP THE GAP!
Each generation brings to the table their own set of expectations and hopes. In each generation there is an opportunity to learn new perspectives and get fresh ideas. With each generation there is an opportunity to grow frustrated, upset, angry and have a disaster on your hands.
Let's start with the Traditional Generation. It is sometimes referred to as the Silent Generation. Some people do not like the use of the word silent to describe this generation.
Silent seems to imply the generation did not contribute anything to society, they remained silent. This is the opposite of the truth. The word silent comes from some of the significant Generational Signposts of this generation.
Signposts like the Great Depression and WWII taught this generation to postpone immediate gratification for a greater good. By postponing immediate gratification and working toward a common goal, this generation was successful and rewarded. Big business and government rewarded this generation by helping them to improve their quality of life.
The Traditional generation withstood the great depression, was successful in WWII, rebuilt Europe & Japan, and staved off the spread of communism.
This generation created the consumer products we use everyday: washers, dryers, televisions and microwave ovens. Big business took these products and through mass production made them available to the many rather than the elite few.
The homes we live in today were influenced by this generation. This generation built the neighborhood homes outside of the center of the city. With the help of VA and FHA loan, more people could afford homes than ever before. The average cost of a first home for this generation was $7,000.00. (Many of us have spent more on a used car.)
According to Mallow's hierarchy of needs, we have a set of basic needs like food, shelter and clothing. In addition, we have a set of higher needs, such as the need to feel loved and accepted, and to be self-actualized. As human beings, we will not try to satisfy the higher needs until the basic needs are taken care of.
For a generation, the basic needs were not being satisfied. However, when this Silent generation pulled together, they were able to satisfy the basic needs.
The long lasting impact of these Generational Signposts for the Traditional Generation is loyalty to the country and the company, tenacity, and hard work.
It is no surprise this hard working generation has not wanted to fade into retirement. Advances in medicine have left a generation of older workers who are healthy and able and willing to work. This generation has come out of retirement looking for a new place in the workforce.
One of the benefits of hiring retirees is that they are typically not looking to climb the corporate ladder. They are looking for a place to use their skills. Often, they do not want to work full time but just part time. This is a labor source that is too valuable to be ignored.
When you walk into a Wal-Mart the first person to greet you is the Greeter. The Greeter is someone typically of retirement age who stands at the front door of Wal-Mart, greets the customers and gets you a shopping cart. One of the biggest differences between a Wal-Mart and a Target is the Greeter.
Ironically, Wal-Mart did not create the Greeter to give a senior citizen a job. Wal-Mart discovered that when someone stood at the door, looked people in the eye and greeted them, shoplifting went down.
The point is that Wal-Mart did not do what some people do when they work with someone from the Traditional Generation: stick them behind a counter because they needed a warm body. The number one complaint from this generation is that we do not take advantage of their skills and experience. Wal-Mart made the Greeter part of the Wal-Mart team.
When you hire or work with someone of the Traditional Generation, there are six things you can do:
Communicate traditional values- Let them know you appreciate them being on time and working the extra shift.
Let them know their age & experiences are highly valued-The number one complaint from this generation is we treat them like they do not know anything.
Pronounce words clearly/Look them in the eye/ 'Use Please' and Thank you-especially, if you have teenagers working with someone from the Traditional Generation. (Give your teenagers some communication training.)
Take plenty of time to train- Rationales are jumping onto the internet in larger numbers then any other age group right now. They are learning to use the Internet at home with the help of their kids or grand kids. When you are teaching a new skill to someone from the Traditional Generation, try teaching her one on one. They may be more likely to ask questions and try the new skill with just you vs a large group of people.
Stress the long haul- Communicate with them about the history of the company, their position, and your history with the company.
Reward with a personal touch- Rewards like certificates, plaques or a picture with the company president are significant. Give them something they can take home or hang in their office
IN THE NEXT SESSION LEARN HOW THE BABY BOOM GENERATION BOOMED ONTO THE SCENE AND BECAME OUR MOST MEMORABLE GENERATION!
Solving the Multi-Generational Puzzle
Now is an exciting time. We have four generational flavors in the workplace:
The Traditional Generation
raised in the Great Depression, listening to Fred Allen
Baby Boomers
raised during Viet Nam, watching Ozzie & Harriet
Gen Xers
raised in single parent homes, imitating Beavis & Butthead
New Millennium
raised on the internet, living in Southpark
If you do not understand these examples then you definitely need to ZAP THE GAP!
Each generation brings to the table their own set of expectations and hopes. In each generation there is an opportunity to learn new perspectives and get fresh ideas. With each generation there is an opportunity to grow frustrated, upset, angry and have a disaster on your hands.
Let's start with the Traditional Generation. It is sometimes referred to as the Silent Generation. Some people do not like the use of the word silent to describe this generation.
Silent seems to imply the generation did not contribute anything to society, they remained silent. This is the opposite of the truth. The word silent comes from some of the significant Generational Signposts of this generation.
Signposts like the Great Depression and WWII taught this generation to postpone immediate gratification for a greater good. By postponing immediate gratification and working toward a common goal, this generation was successful and rewarded. Big business and government rewarded this generation by helping them to improve their quality of life.
The Traditional generation withstood the great depression, was successful in WWII, rebuilt Europe & Japan, and staved off the spread of communism.
This generation created the consumer products we use everyday: washers, dryers, televisions and microwave ovens. Big business took these products and through mass production made them available to the many rather than the elite few.
The homes we live in today were influenced by this generation. This generation built the neighborhood homes outside of the center of the city. With the help of VA and FHA loan, more people could afford homes than ever before. The average cost of a first home for this generation was $7,000.00. (Many of us have spent more on a used car.)
According to Mallow's hierarchy of needs, we have a set of basic needs like food, shelter and clothing. In addition, we have a set of higher needs, such as the need to feel loved and accepted, and to be self-actualized. As human beings, we will not try to satisfy the higher needs until the basic needs are taken care of.
For a generation, the basic needs were not being satisfied. However, when this Silent generation pulled together, they were able to satisfy the basic needs.
The long lasting impact of these Generational Signposts for the Traditional Generation is loyalty to the country and the company, tenacity, and hard work.
It is no surprise this hard working generation has not wanted to fade into retirement. Advances in medicine have left a generation of older workers who are healthy and able and willing to work. This generation has come out of retirement looking for a new place in the workforce.
One of the benefits of hiring retirees is that they are typically not looking to climb the corporate ladder. They are looking for a place to use their skills. Often, they do not want to work full time but just part time. This is a labor source that is too valuable to be ignored.
When you walk into a Wal-Mart the first person to greet you is the Greeter. The Greeter is someone typically of retirement age who stands at the front door of Wal-Mart, greets the customers and gets you a shopping cart. One of the biggest differences between a Wal-Mart and a Target is the Greeter.
Ironically, Wal-Mart did not create the Greeter to give a senior citizen a job. Wal-Mart discovered that when someone stood at the door, looked people in the eye and greeted them, shoplifting went down.
The point is that Wal-Mart did not do what some people do when they work with someone from the Traditional Generation: stick them behind a counter because they needed a warm body. The number one complaint from this generation is that we do not take advantage of their skills and experience. Wal-Mart made the Greeter part of the Wal-Mart team.
When you hire or work with someone of the Traditional Generation, there are six things you can do:
Communicate traditional values- Let them know you appreciate them being on time and working the extra shift.
Let them know their age & experiences are highly valued-The number one complaint from this generation is we treat them like they do not know anything.
Pronounce words clearly/Look them in the eye/ 'Use Please' and Thank you-especially, if you have teenagers working with someone from the Traditional Generation. (Give your teenagers some communication training.)
Take plenty of time to train- Rationales are jumping onto the internet in larger numbers then any other age group right now. They are learning to use the Internet at home with the help of their kids or grand kids. When you are teaching a new skill to someone from the Traditional Generation, try teaching her one on one. They may be more likely to ask questions and try the new skill with just you vs a large group of people.
Stress the long haul- Communicate with them about the history of the company, their position, and your history with the company.
Reward with a personal touch- Rewards like certificates, plaques or a picture with the company president are significant. Give them something they can take home or hang in their office
IN THE NEXT SESSION LEARN HOW THE BABY BOOM GENERATION BOOMED ONTO THE SCENE AND BECAME OUR MOST MEMORABLE GENERATION!
written by Meagan Johnson; copied here
(in "Dancing With Moose") with permission
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