Generations - What Motivates the Four Generations?

1. Generations - What Motivates the Four Generations? Pat Wittmann Questar Corporation

2. So What’s the Big Deal? • For the first time ever, there are four generations in the workplace at the same time.

3. So What’s the Big Deal? • Each generation offers their own biases. • The challenge is to attract, motivate and retain all generations. • Understanding these biases and their effects will help businesses in selecting, hiring, managing, motivating and knowing what benefits to offer.

4. Matures • Also known as the Traditionalist, Veterans and Silent Generation • Born in 1945 and before

5. Matures • Duty first, civic pride, loyalty • Respect for rules and authority • Trusting • Conformers • Dedicated, sacrifice and hard work • “Paying your own way” • Delayed reward

6. Matures Events and Influences • Hard times then prosperity • Political and economic uncertainty • World War II • Hitler • Pearl Harbor • Korean War • Great Depression • Clearly defined sex roles • Rosie the Riveter

7. Matures Remember when… • Jitterbug • Frozen TV Dinners • Slinky • Diner • Radio

8. Baby Boomers • Boomers • Born between 1946 and 1964 • Me, I can speak from experience

9. Baby Boomers • Optimistic • Work-a-holic • Competitive • Respect for Power • “Paying Your Dues” • Work = Identity • Success is highly visible - homes, cars, trophies, plaques • Consumers

10. Baby Boomers Events and Influences • After World War II, new families, new homes, new jobs • Growth everywhere • Vietnam War • Civil Rights • Hippies • Women’s Lib

11. Baby Boomers Remember When? • Disneyland • Barbie dolls • Hula hoops, silly putty • TV and color in 1954 • Sitcoms and Soap Operas

12. Generation X • Also known as Baby Busters, the 13th Generation • Born between 1965 and 1980

13. Generation X • Independent • Balance • Question the Boomers’ sacrifices • Informal • Question authorities • Parent’s friend • Prove it to me and I’m in • Loyal to people not companies • No public heroes. They are personal.

14. Generation X Events and Influences • Saw lifelong employment end • Watergate scandal • Microwave technology • Latchkey kids • Internet • Anti-war movement • Kent State

15. Generation X Remember When? • Pet Rock • The Leisure Suit • Videocassette recorder (VCR) • Star Wars • Sesame Street

16. Generation X • 77% of Gen Xers say they’d quit in a minute if offered “increased intellectual stimulation” at a different company. • 51% would jump ship for the chance to telecommute • The top three things they want in a job are positive relationships with colleagues, interesting work, and continuous opportunities for learning What do Gen Xers Want?, By Anne Fisher, January 20, 2006, CNNMoney.com,

17. Millennial • Also known as Generation Y, Generation Next • Born between 1980 and 2000

18. Millennial • Optimistic and confident • Technical know-how • Extreme informality • Personal time is more important • Social consciousness • Busy, Multitask through multimedia • Job hoppers • Raised as parents’ friends • Adultolescence

19. Millennial Events and Influences • Columbine High School massacre • MTV • World Wide Web • Dot com bubble • 9/11 • O.J. Simpson

20. Millennial Remember When? • Andy Warhol • Body Piercing • E.T.- The Extra-Terrestrial • Cabbage Patch Kids • Beanie Babies

21. Generations

22. Generations * Generation & Gender in the Workplace, An Issue Brief by Families and Work Institute, Published by the American Business Collaboration

23. Generations • Most American workers today are rejecting the work-aholic lifestyle.

24. Generations • Adopt the Platinum Rule • Treat others the way they would like to be treated • Respect • Flexibility • Options, the menu approach

25. Matures Motivational • Acknowledge their experience, expertise and dedication • Let them know the importance of the work they are doing • “Pick their brains” • Provide flexibility in schedules and times.

26. Baby Boomers Motivational • Acknowledge their experience, expertise and dedication • Give them meaningful work • Give them awards, titles and promotions • Ask their opinions. What has worked (or not) and why?

27. Gen X Motivational • Acknowledge their talent and expertise • Don’t waste their time • Allow as much autonomy and flexibility as possible • Respect their need and provide the means for balance between their work and personal lives.

28. Millennial Motivational • Acknowledge their talents and fresh perspectives • Make work fun, fast paced and challenging • Plan for success. • Offer flexible schedules • Access to state-of-the-art technology

29. Millennial Motivational (continued) • Show that you respect their opinions • Communicate the civic side of your company • Offer telecommuting options • Offer more vacation time, time off

30. Resources Generation X in the Workplace: Age Diversity Issues in Project Teams, Electa W. Mulvanity, MBA, CCP, PMP, National Practice Leader, Atos Origin, Inc. May 11, 2006 Generation & Gender in the Workplace, An Issue Brief by Families and Work Institute, Published by the American Business Collaboration. Generations working together – What Everyone Needs to KNOW and DO!, By Laura E. Bernstein, WALKTHETALK.COM Your adult kids are back. Now what? By Jean Chatzky, Money Magazine editor-at-large, December 29, 2006 Generations At Work, By Ron Zemke, Claire Raines and Bob Filipczak Pat Wittmann Questar Corporation Pat.Wittmann@Questar.com 324-5257