When Generations Collide: When Generations Collide Bridging the generation gap in your workplace Jana Dobbs Community Bank President CornerBank, www.cornerbanks.com


The Gap: The Gap More generations than ever before are represented in today’s workplace Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation Xers Millennials Who are these people and why are they getting on your nerves?


Gauging the gap: Gauging the gap The Funky Chicken is… A dance created in the late 1960s A description of malodorous fowl in the 1970s Football’s now-traditional touchdown dance, which premiered in 1974 None of these All of these


Gauging the gap: Gauging the gap The Funky Chicken is… A dance created in the late 1960s A description of malodorous fowl in the 1970s Football’s now-traditional touchdown dance, which premiered in 1974 None of these All of these


Gauging the gap: Gauging the gap Spam is… A canned spiced ham requiring no refrigeration Unsolicited email, usually an advertisement, considered junk mail A comedy routine by Monty Python Credited with keeping the Red Army alive during World War II All of the above


Gauging the gap: Gauging the gap Spam is… A canned spiced ham requiring no refrigeration Unsolicited email, usually an advertisement, considered junk mail A comedy routine by Monty Python Credited with keeping the Red Army alive during World War II All of the above


Gauging the gap: Gauging the gap P. Diddy is... A happy little tune, easily remembered, usually whistled A move in tiddlywinks that wins the game The name of a rapper and member of the Bad Boy family A specialized drive on a motherboard


Gauging the gap: Gauging the gap P. Diddy is... A happy little tune, easily remembered, usually whistled A move in tiddlywinks that wins the game The name of a rapper and member of the Bad Boy family A specialized drive on a motherboard


Gauging the gap: Gauging the gap Instant messenger is… The latest acquisition by Federal Express aimed at making inroads in the local delivery market A form of email in which conversations are held in real time Hallmark’s newest line of greeting cards A rock band with social and political overtones


Gauging the gap: Gauging the gap Instant messenger is… The latest acquisition by Federal Express aimed at making inroads in the local delivery market A form of email in which conversations are held in real time Hallmark’s newest line of greeting cards A rock band with social and political overtones


Gauging the gap: Gauging the gap When I think of nationally advertised fast-food restaurants, I think of… Good fries The meal deals with toys I collected as a kid Drive-thru efficiency High-fat, high-salt and empty calories


Gauging the gap: Gauging the gap When I think of nationally advertised fast-food restaurants, I think of… It depends… Gen X & Millennials: great fries and popular toys Driven Boomers: Efficient, but slightly evil, necessity Traditionalists: Potentially fatal and artery-clogging


Traditionalists: Traditionalists Born 1922 to 1945 AKA… World War II generation The Greatest Generation Shaped by… Two world wars The Great Depression Characteristics Loyal, hardworking, financially conservative Approaching retirement or partially retired


Traditionalist Values: Traditionalist Values Obedience Consistency Uniformity Conformity Law and order Give them logic—not feelings or personal information They believe in “brighter futures,” and when making hard decisions, they look to history to find precedents that worked


Baby Boomers: Baby Boomers Born 1946 to 1964 Characteristics Boundless optimism Workaholics Challenge the status quo Deeply connected to career achievements Politically adept in the workplace


Baby Boomers: Baby Boomers Shaped by John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy assassinations Vietnam War Civil Rights movement Moon landing


Baby Boomer Values: Baby Boomer Values Personal gratification Individuality Unpredictability Older Boomers are idealistic workaholics and economic achievers Younger Boomers value family


Generation Xers: Generation Xers Born 1965 to 1980 Characteristics Used to adapting, they are skilled at reacting to change Technologically savvy They prefer informality in the workplace Don’t expect employer loyalty Resourceful and hardworking, but have a life after 5 p.m.


Generation Xers: Generation Xers Shaped by Watergate Rising divorce rates Challenger explosion Religious scandals Corporate corruption


Generation Xers Values: Generation Xers Values Unimpressed by leaders Skeptical of authority Give trust or loyalty only cautiously Family time, life “balance” Not afraid to change jobs to advance professionally


Millennials: Millennials Born 1981 to 1999 Approximately 79 million Americans Being compared to Boomers due to the size of the generation AKA… Generation Y Echo Boomers Shaped by OJ’s acquittal Columbine shootings President Clinton’s impeachment 9/11


Millennial characteristics : Millennial characteristics They are volunteering in record numbers. They view Boomers as “talkers” and consider themselves “doers.” Nearly 35 percent of Millennials are nonwhite or Latino, versus only 14 percent of Traditionalists. One out of every four members lives in a single-parent environment and three in every four have working mothers.


Millennial values : Millennial values Family Community Collaboration and teamwork Flexibility Eager to learn Closely resemble Traditionalists Value rules More socially conservative than their parents


Millennial Values: Millennial Values In fact, this generation has reversed nearly every negative societal trend started by the Boomers. Violent crime among teenagers is down 60 to 70 percent. The use of tobacco and alcohol are at all-time lows. So is teen pregnancy. Five out of 10 Millennials say they trust the government and virtually all of them trust mom and dad.


Bridging the gap: Bridging the gap View the world through another generation’s eyes Multiple lens exercise The world events that shaped their lives have created their unique perspective in the workplace


Bridging the gap: Bridging the gap Build on each others’ strengths to maximize your efficiency. Traditionalists – lessons learned Boomers – navigating politics Gen Xers – multitasking Millennials – technology and reverse mentoring


Working with traditionalists: Working with traditionalists Honor the chain of command Offer them job security Value their experience Appreciate their dedication


Working with Baby Boomers: Working with Baby Boomers Show respect Choose face-to-face conversations Give them your full attention Play the game Learn the corporate history


Working with Gen Xers: Working with Gen Xers Get to the point Use email or IM (instant messaging) Give them space Get over dues paying Lighten up


Working with Millennials: Working with Millennials Challenge them Ask them their opinion Find them a traditionalist mentor Provide timely feedback


The best bridge…: The best bridge… Finding common ground What do you value?


Bonus points…the 5 C’s of winning the Millennial audience: Bonus points…the 5 C’s of winning the Millennial audience Clarity. Drop the gimmicks and start shooting it straight. Connexity. Use technology to add convenience to hectic lifestyles and to cut through the clutter. Customization. If a Millennial can build the exact Jeep they want, why not the exact checking account they want? Community. Millennials like hands-on organizations that get things done. Choice. It’s the Millennials’ prerogative.


Sources: Sources Howe, Neil and Strauss, William. Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation. Copyright 2000. Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Generation Studies, www.northwesternmutual.com www.onpoint-marketing.com. Accessed July 19, 2005. www.census.gov Harris Interactive Millennium Generation Studies: The Fifth Study. Revised Report, June 13, 2004. www.cnn.com. Workplace generation gap Kroft, Steve. The Echo Boomers. Sept. 4, 2005. CBS News. Transcript accessed at www.cbsnews.com on Oct. 24, 2005.