In tech matters, play to Generation Y's strengths
Posted by Craig Clarke
by Judith Crown
The Rotarian -- September 2009
Dodie Butler considers herself reasonably savvy when it comes to technology. But when the 50-year-old baby boomer was looking for high school and college students to volunteer for a community mentoring project, it never occurred to her to use Facebook. To the marketing director at her firm, however, that was the obvious solution. Kayleb McKelvain, 21, "thinks in a different way about the tools that are out there," Butler says.
Dodie Butler considers herself reasonably savvy when it comes to technology. But when the 50-year-old baby boomer was looking for high school and college students to volunteer for a community mentoring project, it never occurred to her to use Facebook. To the marketing director at her firm, however, that was the obvious solution. Kayleb McKelvain, 21, "thinks in a different way about the tools that are out there," Butler says.
Members of Generation Y, also called millennials born between 1981 and 2001 have been making their mark in the workforce at an early age, thanks to their mastery of technology. Having grown up with personal computers, cell phones, and iPods, they have a huge advantage and often expect to use it to advance quickly in the workplace. But some boomer managers say these young workers can seem cocky and demanding, spend too much time socializing online, and have yet to pay their dues.
Simon Fulber, who at 33 is a Gen Xer sandwiched between the boomer and millennial generations finds that he sometimes acts as a mediator between his older and younger co-workers. Millennials, with their easy grasp on technology, crave respect, notes Fulber, a senior performance and learning consultant at Vancity credit union in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. At his firm, they balk at boomers' methodical way of teaching, such as having everyone sit in a classroom to learn about the credit union's products. "They don't want a lecture," Fulber says. "They say, 'Let me experience it.'"
Instead of carping at each other, boomers and millennials should take advantage of each others' strengths. Boomers may have valuable institutional knowledge and insight into the way business works, while millennials can often see more efficient ways to do things. "They want to improve how work gets done," says Diane Thielfoldt, a Seattle consultant who specializes in generational differences in the workforce. "They're used to a fast pace and want to keep things moving."
In Rotary, too, tech-savvy millennials are dragging their sometimes hesitant elders into the 21st century. Heather Jennings, the 24-year-old executive director of the Rotary Club of Dallas, has encouraged members to use text messaging as a method to reach her. "I offer club members various ways to contact me ÃÆ'¢â‚¬" either by calling, e-mailing, or texting," she says. "That way I can respond right away."
Their vaunted technical proficiency has made many millennials confident ÃÆ'¢â‚¬" very confident. Fulber, who is president of the Rotary Club of Vancouver Quadra, recalls one employee who believed he'd already mastered his own work and began seeking out assignments in different areas. That angered his superior, who needed him to concentrate on his job. "He didn't play by the rules, and his boss was hesitant to promote him," Fulber says. In the end, the up-and-comer did land the job he wanted as a branch manager, but he ruffled feathers along the way.
By tapping into their greater maturity and experience, boomers can try to see things from the millennials' perspective and work with them rather than digging in their heels. They can also turn to younger workers as a resource to boost their own skills and understanding. Millennials don't want or need to take over all the technical tasks of the workplace ÃÆ'¢â‚¬" they are ready to share their expertise. "They want you to tap their talents," says Thielfoldt. "Let them teach you what they intuitively already know how to do."
Judith Crown is a Chicago-based freelance writer specializing in business.
Simon Fulber, who at 33 is a Gen Xer sandwiched between the boomer and millennial generations finds that he sometimes acts as a mediator between his older and younger co-workers. Millennials, with their easy grasp on technology, crave respect, notes Fulber, a senior performance and learning consultant at Vancity credit union in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. At his firm, they balk at boomers' methodical way of teaching, such as having everyone sit in a classroom to learn about the credit union's products. "They don't want a lecture," Fulber says. "They say, 'Let me experience it.'"
Instead of carping at each other, boomers and millennials should take advantage of each others' strengths. Boomers may have valuable institutional knowledge and insight into the way business works, while millennials can often see more efficient ways to do things. "They want to improve how work gets done," says Diane Thielfoldt, a Seattle consultant who specializes in generational differences in the workforce. "They're used to a fast pace and want to keep things moving."
In Rotary, too, tech-savvy millennials are dragging their sometimes hesitant elders into the 21st century. Heather Jennings, the 24-year-old executive director of the Rotary Club of Dallas, has encouraged members to use text messaging as a method to reach her. "I offer club members various ways to contact me ÃÆ'¢â‚¬" either by calling, e-mailing, or texting," she says. "That way I can respond right away."
Their vaunted technical proficiency has made many millennials confident ÃÆ'¢â‚¬" very confident. Fulber, who is president of the Rotary Club of Vancouver Quadra, recalls one employee who believed he'd already mastered his own work and began seeking out assignments in different areas. That angered his superior, who needed him to concentrate on his job. "He didn't play by the rules, and his boss was hesitant to promote him," Fulber says. In the end, the up-and-comer did land the job he wanted as a branch manager, but he ruffled feathers along the way.
By tapping into their greater maturity and experience, boomers can try to see things from the millennials' perspective and work with them rather than digging in their heels. They can also turn to younger workers as a resource to boost their own skills and understanding. Millennials don't want or need to take over all the technical tasks of the workplace ÃÆ'¢â‚¬" they are ready to share their expertise. "They want you to tap their talents," says Thielfoldt. "Let them teach you what they intuitively already know how to do."
Judith Crown is a Chicago-based freelance writer specializing in business.
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