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Strategies for Managing the Generation Mix in an IT Workplace

Strategies for Managing the Generation Mix in an IT Workplace. Joe Lim Karen McRitchie Rebecca Klein. Generations in the Workforce. Baby Boomers (1946-1960) Generation X (Xers) (1961-1977) Generation Y (Millennials) (1978-1990). Dr. Spock. Baby boomers (1946 – 1960). Characteristics.

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Strategies for Managing the Generation Mix in an IT Workplace

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  1. Strategies for Managing the Generation Mix in an IT Workplace Joe Lim Karen McRitchie Rebecca Klein

  2. Generations in the Workforce • Baby Boomers (1946-1960) • Generation X (Xers) (1961-1977) • Generation Y (Millennials) (1978-1990)

  3. Dr. Spock Baby boomers (1946 – 1960)

  4. Characteristics • Dominant workforce in Higher-Ed • Raised with TV and transistor radios • Historical events • Vietnam War • Civil Rights Movement • Space Exploration • “CounterCulture”

  5. Attitudes and Values • “Workaholic” • Loyal • Simplicity • Being in control • Risk takers

  6. cynical Generation X (Xers) – 1961 - 1977

  7. Characteristics • Latch-key kids • Possess high technical skills • Historical events • Challenger disaster • Fall of Berlin Wall • Death of Kurt Cobain • Stock Market Crash • “Me” generation

  8. Attitudes and Values • Generation of cynicism and skepticism • Postponed growing up • Self-reliant and entrepreneurial • First generation to live together without marriage

  9. Generation y (Millennials) – 1978-1990

  10. Characteristics • Technologically savvy • Welcomed and celebrated by parents • Historical events • 9/11 • Internet coming of age • Iraq War

  11. Attitudes and Values • Global-centric generation • Most resilient in navigating change • Ambitious and entrepreneurial • Community-oriented

  12. Workplace personalities

  13. Workplace Personalities - Assets

  14. Workplace Personalities - Liabilities

  15. Workplace Personalities – Motivation – why they work

  16. Workplace Personalities – Management Style

  17. Workplace Personalities – Communication Style

  18. Workplace Personalities – Need for feedback and supervision

  19. Workplace Personalities – Work/Life Balance

  20. Workplace Personalities – What information and communication technology represents

  21. Role of technology

  22. Boomer • Grew up in the era of technology • Look to technology for answers • Easily overwhelmed by gadgets

  23. Xers • First generation to experience home computers • Become technology fluent out of both interest and necessity • Interact with technology and not have technology pre-programmed

  24. Millennials • Plays central role • Generation of learners by exploration • 2007 ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology • 98.4% respondents own a computer • 64% entering freshmen have a laptop less than a year old • 21.8% use wireless as primary internet connection • Technology Policy Issues

  25. Working together

  26. What we know… • Boomers • Work Ethic • Patient and willing to sacrifice • Know how to fit • Money is not always an incentive • Xers • Often misunderstood • Try to maintain more work/life balance

  27. What we know … (Con’td) • Independent – not receptive to micromanaging • Comfortable with finding own solution to problem • Millennials • Not loyal to the company but rather to the person for whom they are working • Social interaction • Constant feedback

  28. Managing the Mix • We can no longer manage everyone the same way • Each individual is unique • Celebrate successes and find positives in failures • Mentorship program • Staff development

  29. Conclusion • Same generation – similar attitudes and value • Generation is only a piece of the puzzle • We tend to generalize and label our generation • Use generational characteristics as a guide

  30. References

  31. Atkinson, P. (2008). MILLENIALS: Researching the application of demographics to build customer relationships and HR strategy . Management services, 52 (1). Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2003). Reframing Organizations : Artistry, Choice, and Leadership (Third Edition ed.). San Francisco, California: Jossey-Bass. Marston, C. (2007). Motivating The "What's In It For Me?" Workforce : Manage Across The Generational Divide and Increase Profits . Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Martin, R. L. (2007). The Opposable Mind : How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking . Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business School Press. Salacuse, J. W. (2006). Leading Leaders : How to Manager Smart, Talented, Rich and Powerful People . New York, New York: American Management Association. Salkowitz, R. (2008). Generation Blend : Managing Across the Technology Age Gap. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Tapscott, D. (2009). Grown Up Digital. New York: McGraw-Hill.

  32. Q &A Slides to be posted at http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/~joe/siguccs/gen_mix.pdf

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