© global foresight 2013 all rights reserved [email protected] geeks, not geezers-...

© Global Foresight 2013 all rights reserved www.global-foresight.net [email protected]

Geeks, not Geezers-Millennials On the Rise

‘Their Future Will Not Resemble Your Past’

Mary O’Hara-Devereaux, Ph.D


The Millennials-Raised by Soccer

Moms


Smart, Savvy and Spoiled-Smothered in Possibilities

Baby on board-Have you hugged your child today? Coddled and directed by their ‘active’ parents. Lived scheduled,structured lives. Busy generation Like and feel close to their parents whoever they

are. Immersed in a digital world. Most highly educated generation ever. Global citizens. Grew up in a multicultural context. New economic opportunities abound. Terrorism all around-Columbine to 9/11.


Millennial Profile

Born 1980-1995 70 Million *Millennials, Gen Y, Echo Boomers, Nexters, Net

Generation, Hip Hope Generation, Sunshine Generation,

Heroes-parents, ordinary people, a few celebrities.

Embedded in social networks Beyond Geek-technology an extension of their

bodies. ‘What’s in it for me?’


Millennial Seminal Events

1995-Internet takes off. Columbine Dot Com Era-Boom and

Bust Google Glass Ceiling Commission TV Talk Shows-about

everything

NAFTA Decade of Mergers 2001-September 11th

Iraq War Don’t ask, Don’t Tell. Gay

Marriage Controversy Rise of China My Space


Adult-o-lescence

Peter Pandemonium Delayed adulthood—to late twenties. Leave home later/ return home to live Marry later—if at all First child later First jobs are not too meaningful-

experimenting


Millennial Comparison with Gen X

Gen X Often cynical Prefer solitary work Often pessimistic Technology masters Exclusive

Millennial Usually open minded Prefer teams Optimistic Tech ubiquitous-

extension of bodies Inclusive


Sibling Rivalry with Lots of Common Ground

Time currency Palpable impatience Work is for self expression Multi-taskers Many possible lives Grab the brass ring first time around Re-boot if things don’t work out Get best ideas in action not reflection Don’t trust institutions, politics


Myths, Magic and Mentoring a

Generation Apart


Conventional Wisdom-Millennials

Today’s Kids are going to hell in a hand basket.

Today’s kids are violent. Use more drugs/ more teen pregnancies Gen Y is just Gen X squared. No work ethic No respect for authority Not loyal Need constant praise


Magical Thinking

Peter Pan-Delayed adulthood. Households are communication zones and

refueling stations. Immediate gratification always. Change the world.


Millennials at Work

Want to start at the top-do not want menial tasks

Learning all the time Multi-tasking-hard to

maintain focus on one thing

Do the work better, faster than co-workers

Entrepreneurial spirit; re-boot quickly

Tolerant

Direct, uninhibited communication

Work should be fun, gyms, Email/text not talk-even to

the person next to you Embedded in their social

networks Need frequent rewards,

feedback Co-workers as buddies Time not money


Be the Leader

Want their bosses to lead not be their friend Get to know them as a person Do what you say, have character Clear straight forward language; concise

directions Paint the picture of how they fit in-their role Don’t make assumptions Negotiate don’t dictate Reward and celebrate success frequently


Messages that Motivate

You’ll be working with other bright creative people.

You will gain skills that prepare you for your next job.

You can be a hero here, help turn this company around.

Your boss will be your advocate.


Best Practices-Recruiting

Peer to peer recruiting. Listen more, talk less. How they can contribute to a greater goal. ‘We encourage you to have a life’ How you are ‘green’. Crucible for their learning Meritocracy-can move up fast Get to know their Boss before signing up


Best Practices-Retention

Socialization of employees with each other Advocate Program-What do you need?

How can we help you achieve your goals? Create with them ‘Project Me’

Reverse mentoring from them Spot rewards Try to keep them for 3 years Millennial Council to CEO


Best Practices-Rewards

Time off! Extra vacation-earn another hour+ of

vacation-accumulate up to 1 or 2 days. Ask how do you want to be rewarded?

Give, create a list with them—manicure, golf, massage.

Paid time off to be spent at a non profit? Small frequent rewards.

© global foresight 2013 all rights reserved [email protected] geeks, not geezers-...

Documents

global foresight

rights reserved

global citizens

generation apart slide

politics slide

space slide

d slide

bodies inclusive slide