Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

Tips on Managing Generations X and Y

Tips on Managing Generations X and Y

It's amazing how much debate goes on about the challenges of managing generations X and Y in the workplace.  Usually, the questions start because organizations are trying to figure out how best to communicate with, and engage, the post baby-boomer age who have been raised on facebook, text messaging and im's, and who operate according to a language all their own as a result. 

I hear and see questions like the ones below all the time and offer the following answers:

Q: "How do we get them to hear us?"

A:  Speak their language.  It's not hard to learn.  (a.k.a. LOL) Everything is condensed, which isn't bad in my opinion since life in corporate has become laden with too many words that go round and round regurgitating the same thing, but that often misses the point in the process. The younger generations rely more on fragments - tight, direct and less circular.  In many ways, it makes them more efficient.  Oh, and make it fun. 

Q:  "How can we engage them (in their work) when traditional methods of communication don't work?"
A:  Don't impose your way or the old way of doing things on them.  Ask them what they want and how you can most effectively bring out the best in them.  They'll tell you.

Q:  "How should we handle their compulsive need to text, twitter, im and check facebook status updates constantly while at work?"

A:   Set policy that says they can't.  If they do it during a meeting or conversations with another person, it has nothing to do with technology or age.  It's flat out rude and should not be accepted as permissible behavior any more than standing up and walking away while someone is talking is. 

Q:  "How do we handle their ADD/ADHD attention spans?"

A:  Speed things up.  Add more variety.  They'll be fine. 

Q:  "How do we train them?"

A:  Make training more interesting.  Make it relevant to their jobs.  Don't bog them down with theories and don't drone on.  Have them speak more than the trainer does and use slides that move, have sound, color and numbers in addition to the words.

Q:  "How should we manage them?"

A:  Be very clear about what is acceptable and what isn't in your organization.  Values, goals and priorities shouldn't be all that different because a younger generation is suddenly present. 

The most important thing to remember is that communicating effectively and managing for results are not necessarily the same things.  To communicate with employees you generally need to reach them, which usually happens through affect.  Yet to manage people you need to establish a structure that supports and shapes the behaviors necessary to fuel a business that thrives.  The common ground for both is that, you need to be clear, clear, clear in how you articulate and convey your messages. 

In terms of whether social media should be "allowed" in the workplace at all, it's really very simple.  If it's work related then it is totally appropriate, and if it's personal then it should be treated as such - not forbidden, but kept to a minimum.  If employees abuse it, then it's time for the firewalls to go up.  Meanwhile, take the best of both the pre and post information age and make the most out of the opportunity to be stretched and then try to meet somewhere in the middle.

 





Tips on Managing Generations X and Y - To learn more about this author, visit Donna Flagg's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
Cheryl Matthynssens

Cheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur.  Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well.  A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles.  She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide-  to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being.  Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com

- Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website

George Ludwig
George Ludwig is a recognized authority on sales strategy and peak performance psychology. An international speaker, trainer, and corporate consultant, he helps clients like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Northwestern Mutual, CIGNA, and numerous others improve sales force effectiveness and performance. Though it's George's strategies and processes that help corporations increase productivity and performance, it's his tremendous energy and dynamism that spark the transformation. Again and again, clients remark on his amazing ability to unleash human capacity and inspire men and women to break out of their comfort zones. The result is a whole new type of salesperson. His customized presentations teach achievers to make stunning advances in their lives. From helping salespeople realize cherished dreams to helping corporations exponentially accelerate revenue streams, George Ludwig leaves audiences and individuals empowered, emboldened, and clamoring for more. George is the best-selling author of Power Selling: Seven Strategies for Cracking the Sales Code and Wise Moves: 60 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life & Business. - Visit George Ludwig's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Donna Flagg
(Visit Donna's Website) Donna Flagg spent 15 years in sales, management and training before becoming a consultant specializing in organizational development and its relationship to business results. Her management career began in sales at CHANEL, and before branching out on her own to launch Krys alis, she spearheaded a new training function within the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs. After earning a BA from Rutgers University and gaining experience on the front lines of Corporate America, Donna went on to attend New York University’s Graduate School of Education where she obtained a Masters Degree in Organizational Development and Human Resource Management, and a post graduate degree in Business Education. She has also been a visiting instructor and speaker at New York University through Delta Pi Epsilon. In addition, she speaks at various conferences including those conducted by The Business Leadership Network and The Conference Board. Donna is currently a blogger on ExpertBusinessSource.com and frequently quoted in the press for her workplace expertise. She has also been a guest on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Life’s Work with Lisa Belkin and The Joan Hamburg Show.  Her first book on workplace communications titled, Su rviving Dreaded Conversations comes out this fall.

Donna Flagg is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Donna Flagg's

Complete
List Of
Human-Resources
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Donna Flagg's Complete List of Human-Resources Articles For FREE!

More Donna Flagg
Guidelines to Help Busineses Manage Friendships at Work
Social Media Management in the Workplace
The Difference between Performance Reviews and Performance Management
The Pitfalls of Delegation
A Better Way to Implement Mentoring Programs
Employee Promotions Worthy and Ready
Managing Employees and How to Get Respect
HR Departments Need Business Acumen Too
Strategic HR Plans Integrating People and Business
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Casey Gollan  
John Alexander  
John Power  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Business Emotional Intelligence Icon Business Emotional Intelligence
Referral Networking Solution Icon Referral Networking Solution
3 Networking Skills Icon 3 Networking Skills
The Money Game Icon The Money Game
Business Coaching Icon Business Coaching
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
The Top 10 ProBlogger Posts - Best Posts for Bloggers
The Top 10 ProBlogger Posts
Best Posts for Bloggers
 
More PR Resources
More PR Resources
Press Release Builder
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Nosakhare Omoruyi Benin City, Nigeria,
Nosakhare Omoruyi
Benin City, Nigeria
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Erez Zevulunov, $150k to $504k in 2 years
Erez Zevulunov
$150k to $504k in 2 years
Kerry Shapansky, $2.0 to $51 Mil in 5 years
Kerry Shapansky
$2.0 to $51 Mil in 5 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Rupert Murdoch, Fox Network
Rupert Murdoch
Fox Network
P.T. Barnum, Barnum Circus
P.T. Barnum
Barnum Circus
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Tom Peters, In Search Of Excellence
Tom Peters
In Search Of Excellence
Paul Kedrosky, Venture Capitalist
Paul Kedrosky
Venture Capitalist
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Doing what you love priceless even at minimum wage
By Teresa Bohannon
     How To Promote Your Business For Free By Hosting Your Own Online Giveaway
By Teresa Bohannon
     Online Guru Bashing As An International Past time
By Teresa Bohannon

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information