1. Community Futures
Past Present & Future
Working with a Multi-Generational
Workforce
ASPECT 2010 Workshop
Dawn McCooey
McCooey Consulting Group Inc.
Thanks to Community Futures &
Women’s Enterprise Centre

2. Community Futures
Why is this important?
• Baby Boomer exodus between 2005-2020
• Birthrate in Canada
• Price of employee turnover
• Pressure on employers

3. Community Futures
Four Generations In The Workforce Today
• Veterans
• Baby Boomers
• Generation X
• Generation Y

4. Community Futures
Veterans
Matures, Elders, Silent Generation
– Born between 1922 and 1945
– Regimented lives, rules, authority
– Value sacrifice, dedication and conformity
– Men went to work – women stayed home

5. Community Futures
Veterans – Defining Events

6. Community Futures
Veterans – Work Style
– “Work First” Generation
– Respect for hierarchy, command management
– Lifetime commitment with gold watch
retirement
– Limited patience

7. Community Futures
Baby Boomers
– Born between 1946 and 1964
– Value commitment, loyalty and dedication
– The original “ME” Generation – largest age
cohort
– Original entrepreneurs

8. Community Futures
Boomers – Defining Events

9. Community Futures
Boomers – Work Style
– “Live to Work” Generation
– Job is part of their identity
– Loyal, sacrifice for the company
– Advancement based on loyalty and hard work
verses seniority

10. Community Futures
Generation X
Baby Busters, X-ers
– Born between 1965 and 1978
– Original “latchkey” and “ping pong” kids
– Encouraged to find a job they ‘enjoyed’
– Technologically adept, fine with change
– Value education, very independent

11. Community Futures
Generation X – Defining Events

12. Community Futures
Generation X – Work Style
– “Work to Live” Generation
– Value work-life balance, diversity and
individualism
– Look to be creative, want tangible results
– Self sufficient and entrepreneurial

13. Community Futures
Generation Y
Millennials, Nexters, Echo Boomers
– Born between 1978 and 1998
– Advanced technological, fast paced world
– Violence packed media

14. Community Futures
Generation Y
– Value self-expression vs. self control
– Hold very close relationships with family and
friends
– Demand respect, loyal to causes and people
– Highly educated, tolerant, accept and value
diversity

15. Community Futures
Generation Y – Defining Events

16. Community Futures
Generation Y – New Technology

17. Community Futures
Generation Y – Cultural Influences

18. Community Futures
Generation Y - Icons

19. Community Futures
Generation Y – Work Style
– “Live Then Work”
– Exceptional multi-taskers
– Want flexibility (dress code, work hours, etc.)
– Strong sense of entitlement
– Want challenging, meaningful work
– Loyal to people, not organizations
– Do not want work that defines who they are
– Boredom is their archenemy – want “fun”

20. Community Futures
Common Assumptions
• “They Have No Loyalty”
• “They Don’t Want to Pay Their Dues to
Get to the Top”
• “They Dress Inappropriately”
• “They Need Constant Praise”

21. Community Futures
Work Ethic Issue
Date: October 30th, 1972
“Is Work Ethic
Going Out of Style?”

22. Community Futures
Identifying the Positives in Gen Y
• Adaptability
• Innovativeness
• Efficiency
• Resiliency
• Tolerance

23. Community Futures
Video – 60 Minutes
“The Millenials are Coming”

24. Community Futures
Gen Y – Getting Buy In
What do they really want?

25. Community Futures
Management Techniques That
Work!
• Clear Expectations
• Coaching Management Style
• Recognizing Efforts
• Environment of Inclusion
• Effective Leadership

26. Community Futures
Communication
• Talk to Them!
– Trust & Respect
– Encouragement
– Humour & Fun
– Feedback

27. Community Futures
Recognition, Recognition,
Recognition
• Motivates and inspires
• Contributes to loyalty
• Needs to be specific & timely

28. Community Futures
Rewards & Incentives
• Consider perceived value
• Reward dependability
• Personal and tailored
• Watch for pitfalls

29. Community Futures
Wrap-up
• Final comments or questions
• Thank you
• Evaluations