genX

generation- : 

generation- We are here…

Who we are—The Hoax: 

Who we are— The Hoax “reckless bicycle messenagers, hustlers, & McJobbers in the low wage/low benefit service economy.” “not knowing how to do an honest day’s work.” Flesh & blood Bart Simpsons, so poorly educated that we can’t find Vietnam on a map or date the Civil War within fifty years.” “slackers” “a lost generation, filled with drunks, druggies and hopeless losers” “The Doofus Generation” “This is a generation without a soul” “The Hard-Luck Generation” “twenty-somethings”

Who we are– The Facts: 

Who we are– The Facts Never liked being categorized as slackers First generation with large number of divorced parents First generation where being a “latchkey kid” was not uncommon Graduated during a time of corporate “downsizing” & “restructuring” Thus, few know anyone who has 40 years of services in one institution Came of age in the time of AIDS By the age of 30 most have had two post graduate jobs Celebrate our diversity & individuality Lost between the “Baby Boomers” and the “Net Generation”

Cohorts not Generations: 

Cohort- a category of people with a common characteristic, usually their age Generation- usually 20 to 25 years in length, or roughly the time it takes a person to grow up and have children Cohorts not Generations

Attitudes Among Students Entering US Colleges, 1968 & 1990: 

Attitudes Among Students Entering US Colleges, 1968 & 1990 Source: Macionis, John J. Sociology. 4th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. 1993 pg. 79

Attitudes Among Students Entering US Colleges, 1968 & 1990 cont…: 

Attitudes Among Students Entering US Colleges, 1968 & 1990 cont… Source: Macionis, John J. Sociology. 4th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. 1993 pg. 79

Studies find our characteristics to include…: 

Studies find our characteristics to include… Increase talent base by acquiring skills both within & outside of an organization Rely on selves rather than institutions for stability Fiercely independent Process information quickly Speed at manipulating data results in a need for immediate feedback Want to be fairly compensated for a job well done Flexibility in schedule and fluidity in job assignments

What’s a manager to do?: 

What’s a manager to do? Formulate a plan with many pieces Use seniority as only one factor in the promotion plan Annual goal setting Reward employees based on achievement Utilize teams Stress a mutual-win relationship Have something to say when communicating & give feedback Manage your time well Outline tasks do not micromanage