The Future Workforce:Connecting with Gen X and Gen V

Students & Employees

Presented to

The Associationof Collegesof AppliedArts &Technologyof Ontario

February 19, 2007Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto

Agenda..., Brief overview of the four generations

~. Gen X and Gen Ys'life-defining events, values and keycharacteristics

..., Translatingidentitiesinto behavioursin the workplace-relationship with authority & work styles

~. Attitudes and expectations towards post-secondary education

~. The role of colleges as a bridge

..., Collaboratingwith GenX & GenY employees

..., Collaborating with Gen X & Gen Y students

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n~g~!l"'__The FourGenerations

Traditionalists (1922-1945)

Baby Boomers (1946-1964)

Gen Xers (1965-1980)

Gen Ys (1981-2000)

62 - 85 years old

43 - 61 years old

27 - 42 years old

7- 26 years old

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n~g~Q"'__Generation X (1965-1980)

(Ages 27 -42)

Life-defining Events: PCs, AIDS, Challenger Disaster,Massive Corporate Downsizing, QuebecReferendum, Berlin Wall

Attitudes & Values: Self-relianceand independence,pragmatism,skepticism,balance,

'- collaboration

Characteristics &.Skills: Flexible& adaptable,creative,independent,multi-taskers,results-driven,techno-literate

"Goal is to maintain independence"

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n~g~Q_OI,..pIfI~

Generation Y (1981-2000)(Ages 7 -26)

Life-defining Events: 9/11, School Violence, Reality TV,Digital Technology, Scandals,Y2K,Polarized Canadian Politics

Attitudes & Values: Confidence, diversity, optimism,dedication, civic duty

Characteristics & Skills: Techno-savvy,collectiveaction,packmentality,innovative,acceptingof differences,self-reliant

"Goal is to find work and create a life that hasmeaning" \

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ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS

Identities Translate Into" Behaviour

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n~g~!!_"'--Link Between Generational Identities

and Workplace BehaviourGenerational identities translate into distinct workplacebehaviors as they relate to:

~. Relationship with organization~. Relationship with authority~. Relationship with colleagues~ Work styles~. Management styles~. Learning styles

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n~g~~Relationship with Authority

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Traditionalist Boomer Gen Xer GenY

Respect forRespect for

authority and Challenge Unimpressedauthority who

Definition demonstratehierarchical authority by authority

competencesystem

Seniority and Desire flat Competence ThisBehaviours job titles are organization and skills are generation

And respected s that are respected holds theExpectations democratic competency

Tell me what Let me show Tell me what Show me whatI should do you what I you can do you can do forfor you can do for for me me right now

you

Work Styles

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POST SECONDARY EDUCATION

Expectations & Role

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Traditionalist Boomer GenXer GenY

Definition Unear Structured Flexible Fluid

Followthe Challengethe Changethe Createtherules rules rules rules

BehavioursAnd Change= Change= Change= Change=

Expectations Somethingis Caution Opportunity Improvementbroken

-.

n-,;'g~Q_"--Attitudes & Expectations Towards Post

Secondary Education~. Consumerism

~. Personalization

~. Entitlement

~' Egalitarian relationship with authority

~.Engaging (Edu-tainment)

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n~'g~Q"---The Role of Colleges as a Bridge

to the Work WorldGreater gap between high school and the working world +

Greater expectations of employees =A need to:

~ Provide students with realistic expectations of how they canadd value in the work world

...

~ Reinforce the valu~ 9~certain skill sets I knowledge

-.;' Provide coaching - business etiquette, receiving performancefeedback, collaborating with colleagues

~ Prepare students to navigate the business environment byunderstanding corporate values and expectations

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COLLABORATION TECHNIQUES

Employees and Students

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n~g~Q"'---CollaborationTechniques that Clickwith

Gen X &Y Employees"V Viewemployeesas investors

"V Seeka win-winrelationship

~.Demonstratethe characteristicsof organizationalengagement- transparent,responsiveand partnering"'

"V Participateactiv~lyin. : Cc;ireercollaboration" ":.

"V Initiatea feedbackloop

"V Actas a coach/ mentor/ guide

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..

n-,;'g~Q"'---Collaboration Techniques that Clickwith

Gen X &Y Students-.;'Communicate and be accessible via technology

-.;'Be collaborative in all communication - engagestudentsandcolleagues in dialogue, don't just "tell"

~ Communicatefrequentlyand informally

-.;'Seek feedback, suggestions and opinions

-.;'Be direct and specific when providingfeedback

-.;'When communicating an assignment or task answ~r thequestions 'what's in it for them?'

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Questions?Contact us:

Giselle Kovary:Qkovarv@nQenperformance.com

Adwoa K. Buahene:,!.buahene ~ nQenperformance.com

Telephone: 416-362-7564

Toll Free: 1-877-362-7564

Website: www.nQenperformance.com

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n~'gen"'==~out n-gen People PerformanceInc.

nilen People Perfonnance Inc. (WW\.m;!enLJerformance.com) supports clients withperfonnance challenges by creating solutions that improve metrics throughout the employeelife-cycle. nilen designs and implements winning perfonnance solutions by tackling the rootcauses of people perfonnance issues from a generational perspective. We layer on agenerational perspective to our practice areas, where appropriate. which adds depth andbreadth to the analysis and solution building phase.

nilen delivers key note presentations, workshops and designs end-to-end solutions to improvemetrics and increase engagement in:.Recruitment.Orientation.Retention

.Employee Branding.Talent management

.Succession planning

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