A New Workforce | Managing Today's Mixed Generation Workforce

THe Trophy Kids Grow Up

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:21:00 +0000

THE TROPHY KIDS Tells How Millenial Generation Will Transform the Workplace & the World

September 26, 2008 - As millions of millennial generation students graduate from college and join the work force, it’s becoming quite clear that the workplace will never be the same. Employers are bracing for some of the biggest management challenges they’ve ever faced as they try to integrate the most demanding and most protected generation in history into a workplace shaped by baby-boomers. Read more

The Millennials: America's First Post-Ideological, Post-Partisan, and Post-Political Generation

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:16:00 +0000

A new generation is poised to seize the reins of history. It's a generation unique in history--the Millennial generation. Born between 1978 and 2000, the Millennials currently include 95 million young people up to 30 years of age--the biggest age cohort in U.S. history.
The Millennial generation has already begun to emerge as a powerful political and social force. They are smart, well-educated, open-minded, and independent--politically, socially, and philosophically. They are also a caring generation, one that is ready to put the greater good ahead of individual rewards. (Hence our preferred name for them--"Generation We.") And they are already spearheading a period of sweeping change. Read entire article at the Huffington Post

Retaining younger workers

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:51:00 +0000

You’ve hired them.

Now how can you keep them around?

We know the myths of how employees in the youngest generations

are in the workplace.

Myth: They don’t want to put in the hours to get ahead. Myth: They have no respect for authority. READ ENTIRE POST AND SEE ARTICLE

Generation Y Connects II

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:28:00 +0000

Here is another post from Alan McDougall that I enjoyed. It is refreshing to see more millennial workders sharing their perspectives on the issue of their generation in the workforce.

Generation Y Connects Part II
September 25, 2008 — allanmcdougall
As promised, albeit over a month ago, this is a follow-up to my previous post about Gen Y in the workplace. In Generation Y Connects (Part I), I succinctly established who Gen Y are and how they’re perceived in the workforce; in this post I’m going to explain the strategies that my company uses to communicate with them. READ ENTIRE POST

Generation Y Connects

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:23:00 +0000

What is Gen Y?

Every 17 year old entering the workforce has been around the Internet for their entire life! Generation Yis the generation who has grown up around advanced networking technologies such as mobile phones and the Internet–also know as the iPod generation, the Echo Boomers, Generation “Why”, or the Millennials. I’ve been working on a research project for my employers to show how our clients can moreeffectively communicate with their Gen Y staff. Here’s the first part of what I’ve found: Read entire post

Here is an interesting set of misperceptions later in the post that I felt was worth adding:

Perception	Reality
They are spoiled.	Baby Boomer parents coddled this generation by constantly telling them how special they were and that anything they sought was possible. They were rewarded for every little thing, receiving trophies and prizes simply for participating.
They have a poor work ethic.	Actually, texting, instant messaging, social networking, and Web surfing have all made Generation Y workers more competent, efficient, and productive. They have a strong work ethic — not just in a 9-5 sort of way. Generation Y wants work to be fun and flexible and follows a mantra of working smarter, not harder.
They don’t respect authority.	This group has been raised to think critically, they’re very independent and not afraid to ask questions and challenge the status-quo. It’s not that these folks have little respect for authority; on the contrary, they admire their employers and want the same in return.
They’re self-centered and individualistic.	Gen Y have been taught the value of individuality and independent thinking. They see themselves as unique and, unlike previous generations, these workers do not plan to let their jobs define who they are.
They’re not committed to the company.	This generation has been raised in an age of unprecedented access to knowledge and communication. Gen Y workers believe their work should have meaning. More than ever, these workers are seeking greater fulfillment and are only willing to work hard at jobs that provide it.
They lack social skills.	Generation Y are some of the most social of any generational cohort; it’s just that they communicate and socialize much differently from the rest of us

Generalizing about Generations is good for you

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:20:00 +0000

Here's a great post from Penelope Trunk about why generalizing generations can be a good thing.

One of the most popular posts here is What Generation are You? Take the Test. I'm sure one reason it's popular is that people like tests. We all want self-knowledge, but we want it handed to us on a silver platter, not thrown at us in clumps of dirt by our families, or served up with Kleenex at therapy.

But the other reason I think that post is so popular is because people are generally indignant that they are pinned into a generation merely because of the date they were born.

People don't like to be told they are similar to everyone else. But that's ridiculous, really. Because feeling special and different is a luxury only for those who are very mainstream. I can tell you, as a person who does not fit in that well, I work very hard to fit in. You think the eccentrics are trying to be eccentric, but they are not. It's not fun to be eccentric if you really are. It's only fun to be eccentric if you aren't. Read entire post at Brazen Careerist

Passion Multitasking

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:02:00 +0000

We have heard of millennials being described as multitaskers for years, and I thought this article was interesting, because it is a different take on multitasking. Vanessa at Subject to Change challenges the idea of having "a passion," arguing instead for a non-monogamous relationship with passion. "You can date other passions."

At first, I thought it was more Generation Y navel gazing. But having come across a couple of articles questioning where is the passion in the lives of Millennials, I thought it was time to say something.
So many people spend their adult lives looking for that “one thing” that causes them to light up. The one thing that makes them jump out of bed in the morning. That one passion that we are all supposed to find and pursue.
This sounds great until you realize that we are human: multifaceted beings with the ability to discern among the many choices available. Trying to find that one passion in life is like looking for your soulmate: it might be out there, but while you are looking for this supposed ideal, what else are you missing? It’s perfectly acceptable to “date” other interests; why should you commit to just one? Read entire post

Stop calling us that! Perspectives on millennial labeling

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:54:00 +0000

Um, Could You Not Call Us Gen Y Or Millennials?

Posted by anastasia on 08-21-2008

I found this really interesting press release about a study Harris Interactive did (Harris is a Ypulse Research sponsor) for Charles Schwab and Age Wave where they asked 4,000 Americans aged 21 to 83 what they thought of different generations. As you might expect Gen Y is getting a bad rap right now unless you consider being called and calling themselves "self indulgent" a positive characteristic. I think the youngest generation will always be dissed by older generations until they're old enough to rag on the new young generation. I thought it was funny that a few of the generations including Gen Y, my own (Gen X), and the Silent Generation all want to rebrand ourselves. As for the rest, like on "Family Feud," survey says? Read Entire Post

Over a month without a post!

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:54:00 +0000

As a blogger, no posting for an entire month is tantamount to being missing in action. Thank you to those of you who have sent notes asking where I am. Well, I have been doing some "field research." In the last 30 days, I have worked with around 30,000 millennial college students (and their parents) as they move in to our communities around the country.

I look forward to sharing some of my observations and thoughts as I continue to look into these dynamics at the college level and how those affect the workforce when these students graduate and join the ranks of the "real world." We also can't forget about their Boomer and Xer parents, whom they are joining in the workforce, and sometimes even supervising. More to come!

Generation Y keeping companies on their toes - ZDNet.co.uk

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:06:00 +0000

Generation Y keeping companies on their toes - ZDNet.co.uk: "Companies are having trouble keeping up with Generation Y consumers who are now setting the technology agenda.

Generation Y consists of 18- to 28-year-olds who are leading the way in technology adoption with nine out of 10 owning a PC and 82 per cent a mobile phone.

Generation Y is also the most internet-savvy group, spending more time online than they do watching television, with 42 percent watching online video at least once per month.

Meanwhile 72 percent of Generation Y mobile-phone users send or receive SMS messages." Read entires tory at ZDNet.co.uk

An Answer to the Gen-Y Question « The Office Newb

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:43:00 +0000

An Answer to the Gen-Y Question « The Office Newb: "As a young professional in the business world I try really hard everyday to fight the stereotypes bestowed upon my generation: lazy, incompetent, entitled. Sadly, for every qualified, ambitious young person I know who is trying to climb the corporate ladder, I know of five more who show up late, in flip flops and spend most of their day surfing the net and wondering why their bosses don’t treat them with the respect they think they deserve." Read entire post at The Office Newb

Web 2.0 - The machine is US/ing us

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:12:00 +0000

I saw this video a while back and just ran across it again as it is created by the same person as the previous post. While this may seem to not be directly related to the topic of this blog, the awareness of changing technology is critical in understanding how the members of today's workforce communicate.

College Students Today: Lifestyle Study « Everybodysagenius’s Weblog

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:09:00 +0000

This is a fantastic video about today's college student. Check it out!!

Trophies for Everyone? Debunking Another Gen Y Myth - Tammy Erickson

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:35:00 +0000

I can't tell you how many times I've heard Gen Y described and explained with the "even the losers got trophies as they grew up" illustration. In this post, Tammy Erickson at Harvard Business Review goes head to head with a different take on what she says is another Gen Y Myth. Post your opinions on this below!

Trophies for Everyone? Debunking Another Gen Y Myth - Tammy Erickson: "Trophies for Everyone? Debunking Another Gen Y Myth

Posted by Tammy Erickson on June 25, 2008 11:24 AM

One of today’s popular data points on Gen Y is the number of trophies that were handed out at a typical little kids’ soccer match or softball game. Commentators are quick to observe that a lot of kids got a lot trophies (boy, manufacturing those cheap, gold plastic loving cups must have been a great business in the 1990s) and jump to the conclusion that Gen Y’s as young adults are in constant need of praise and reassurance.

Really?

Let’s explore this thought: who got the trophies?"

Read this entire post at Harvard Business Review

Forget About Generation Y: We're All to Blame for Workplace Woes | Employee Evolution

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:56:00 +0000

Forget About Generation Y: We're All to Blame for Workplace Woes | Employee Evolution: "Forget About Generation Y: We’re All to Blame for Workplace Woes
Published by Ryan Paugh on June 27th, 2008 in Work, Career Development, Blogging, Generation Y, Millennials

I’ve been blogging about generational differences for over a year now. But with all the back and forth, constant banter, and little resolution, it feels more like ten years.

It feels like everyone is saying the same stuff over and over. Boomers and X’ers complain about Generation Y, and then Generation Y complains about everybody else. But really, we should all just be complaining about ourselves together." Read the rest of Ryan's post at Employee Evolution

7 Things to Look Past When Managing Gen Y | Employee Evolution

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:25:00 +0000

7 Things to Look Past When Managing Gen Y | Employee Evolution: "7 Things to Look Past When Managing Gen Y
Published by Ryan Healy on July 1st, 2008 in Generation Y

Managing Generation Y isn’t all that different from managing anyone else. You need to demand a lot, manage a lot and respect the fact that they have a life outside of work. That being said, there are some things that Gen Y employees believe that past generations may not have thought at the same age. So for all you confused managers out there, here’s a list of things you should consider accepting when it comes to managing Generation Y."

Read Ryan's entire post at Employee Evolution

MillennialGeneration.org: Turning On the Lights

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:16:00 +0000

MillennialGeneration.org: Turning On the Lights: "Turning On the Lights

So, recent technology is pretty amazing. And when you know how to use it, you've got a gift that will allow you to access important resources like information and communication. Probably the premier scholar of the Millennial Generation and technology is Marc Prensky, and he's written an article called Turning On the Lights. It explores how schools expect young people to unplug from contemporary technology when they're in school:"

Read entire post at MillennialGeneration.org

Top 7 Baby Boomer Myths about Generation Y | BlogoBlackmore

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:28:00 +0000

Top 7 Baby Boomer Myths about Generation Y | BlogoBlackmore: "Top 7 Baby Boomer Myths about Generation Y
Posted by James Blackmore
July 4, 2008

Picture Source: Joel Stein’s column for TIME | “You are Not My Friend“ Illustration by Francisco Caceres for TIMEI’m a 25 year-old, true-blue Millennial and I’ve got the internet flowing through my veins.

I’m plugged in: I’ve got an iPod, a BlackBerry and a laptop. I’ve got a Facebook account and my own personal blog. I’m a walking Gen Y stereotype and my net-sense has been tingling lately.

The more I read about my generation, the more I think we are being unfairly stereotyped." Read entire post

millennial makeover: Interview with Justin Krane of Weoped

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:03:00 +0000

millennial makeover: Interview with Justin Krane of Weoped

Interview with Justin Krane of Weoped

While attending the 2008 Personal Democracy Forum in NYC the other week, I had the pleasure of listening to an enlightening and motivating talk by Morley Winograd, who along with Michael D. Hais co-authored Millennial Makeover: MySpace, YouTube, and the Future of American P.... The book is a illuminating and detailed study of American generations and how each one has redefined the political and cultural landscape of our history.

Mr. Winograd was kind enough to speak with me at length after his lecture and both he and Mr. Hais agreed to an interview for Weoped, which was conducted over email and is published below. On behalf of the Weoped community, Geoffrey, and myself, I want to thank both Mr. Winograd and Mr. Hais for their time and for building a case for the potential of my generation to effect some real change around here. What's a-matter with kids today? Absolutely nothing!

Read Entire Interview

Web 2.0 at work

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:58:00 +0000

Here is a great post from an IBM employee about the value of Web 2.0. This post is geared toward millennials, and focuses on how to use blogging to grow professionally.

Are you encouraging this in your workforce, or is it being stifled?

Here is a great presentation from an IBM employee, aimed at millennials, about effective use of Web 2.0.

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Baby Boomers Got the Blues - washingtonpost.com

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:46:00 +0000

Interesting article on Boomers in the Washington Post:

Baby Boomers Got the Blues - washingtonpost.com: "By Monica Hesse
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 10, 2008; Page C01

The baby boomers -- that prominent group of middle-agers whose massive numbers invite never-ending dissection and speculation -- have once again spoken. What they have said is, ' Waaaaaahhh.'" Read entire article

What do you think?

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide - The Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Young Internet Voter of 2008 Study

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:41:00 +0000

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide - The Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Young Internet Voter of 2008 Study: "The Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Young Internet Voter of 2008 Study
The Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Young Internet
Voter of 2008 Study

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide has released groundbreaking research on how Young Internet Voters (18-35 year olds) are using digital communications to gather information in the 2008 US presidential election.

Contrary to previous reports this election cycle, The Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Young Internet Voter of 2008 Study, conducted June 9-12, 2008, found that the proliferation of digital communications, not the Obama and McCain campaigns, is the key to engaging this demographic in politics." Read study

Why Every Company Needs to Embrace Social Media | Employee Evolution

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:01:00 +0000

Why Every Company Needs to Embrace Social Media | Employee Evolution: "Why Every Company Needs to Embrace Social Media
Published by Ryan Healy on May 29th, 2008 in Recruiting, Technology

Social media is changing everything. Business Week recently published an article about the power of social media and how companies are beginning to embrace it, because they really don’t have a choice. Not everyone has a blog, or wants to blog, but you would be hard pressed to find many people who aren’t on some type of social network. Now it’s time for corporate America to follow suit and meet their potential customers on their own turf, or risk falling behind the times.

The article says, “It’s as if the walls around our companies are vanishing and old org charts are lying on their sides.”

There is truth to that statement. Social media is changing how business works, so businesses better figure out how social media works. Here’s why every company needs to embrace social media, now." Read entire post

How to be a good manager: Be generous » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:34:00 +0000

Here is a fantastic post about management from Penelope Trunk. While this doesn't address generational issues specifically, it really speaks to the importance of managing in a way that speaks to individuals with different needs and differing work styles.

How to be a good manager: Be generous » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk

There are a lot of rules for first-time managers. For example, never hold a meeting without an agenda, because if you don’t know what you’re going to do there, then no one else will know what you’re doing, either. But the rule about agendas is a great example, because, like most rules for good management, it is about being kind. Read entire post...

Emphasis Added : Millennials and the End of Process

noreply@blogger.com (Dan O) — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:17:00 +0000

See this great post at Emphasis Added, about Millennials and the End of Process. I'd recommend downloading the file Rob links to. Fantastic information. I wish I could have been at the conference.

"Tuesday, May 20, 2008 1:10 PM
Millennials and the End of Process

Last week, my colleague Dan Rasmus and I co-keynoted the Business Process Management conference in Orlando. Our talk was titled 'Millennials and the End of Process,' and talked about how the characteristics and technology affinities of the current generation of younger workers posed a challenge to organizations using traditional business process engineering and structured workflows. The deck we used in our presentation is posted as a PDF file at my Windows Live Skydrive, here."

A New Workforce | Managing Today's Mixed Generation Workforce

THe Trophy Kids Grow Up

THE TROPHY KIDS Tells How Millenial Generation Will Transform the Workplace & the World

The Millennials: America's First Post-Ideological, Post-Partisan, and Post-Political Generation

Retaining younger workers

You’ve hired them.

Generation Y Connects II

Generation Y Connects Part II

Generation Y Connects

What is Gen Y?

Perception

Reality

Generalizing about Generations is good for you

Passion Multitasking

Stop calling us that! Perspectives on millennial labeling

Um, Could You Not Call Us Gen Y Or Millennials?

Over a month without a post!

Generation Y keeping companies on their toes - ZDNet.co.uk

An Answer to the Gen-Y Question « The Office Newb

Web 2.0 - The machine is US/ing us

College Students Today: Lifestyle Study « Everybodysagenius’s Weblog

Trophies for Everyone? Debunking Another Gen Y Myth - Tammy Erickson

Forget About Generation Y: We're All to Blame for Workplace Woes | Employee Evolution

7 Things to Look Past When Managing Gen Y | Employee Evolution

MillennialGeneration.org: Turning On the Lights

Top 7 Baby Boomer Myths about Generation Y | BlogoBlackmore

millennial makeover: Interview with Justin Krane of Weoped

Interview with Justin Krane of Weoped

Web 2.0 at work

Baby Boomers Got the Blues - washingtonpost.com

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide - The Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Young Internet Voter of 2008 Study

Why Every Company Needs to Embrace Social Media | Employee Evolution

How to be a good manager: Be generous » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk

Emphasis Added : Millennials and the End of Process