Laugh and LearnBridging Generational Gaps

Presented by

Mark Stevenson andAmanda Freeman

Baby Boomer Gen X Millennial Gen Z

Born between

1980 - 1996

Millennials

Gen Y | Peter Pan | Boomerang

The Peter Pan Generation

“I Won’t Grow Up!”

The BOOMERANG Generation

According to a study, in 2012 40% of millennial men

ages 18-30 lived at home

Millennials…

...Oh, and theycrave awards.

(Exhibit A)

…are high on self-esteem.

…feel entitled.

That #selfie life

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is nearly

3 TIMES as high for millennials as it is for

people ages 65 or older

They are going to be famous for all the right

(and wrong) reasons.

Thanks, Snapchat.

Millennials and the Quantified Self

Reality TV = REALITY

Baby Boomer Gen X Millennial Gen Z

Born between

1964 - 1980

Generation XThe Forgotten Generation

A Generation of “Survivalists”

•Historical events shaped their deep distrust in corporate America

•Cynical about most everything

• Economic busts

• Lone wolf mentality

Gen X in the Workplace

• Nontraditional view of time and space

• Flexible hours, informal work environment, just the right amount of supervision

• Not intimidated by authority, but simplyunimpressed by it.

• Technology = success = survival

• Willingness to buck the system

Pop Culture + Gen X

Gen X Movies

Generation X

What’s old is new again…

Baby Boomer Gen X Millennial Gen Z

Baby Boomers

born 1946 - 1964

Baby Boomer Traits:

• Strong work ethic (workaholics)

• Competitive

• Goal-oriented

• AMAZINGLY long attention spans

• Very team-oriented

• Still very much willing and able to learn

Baby Boomers also value…

Baby Boomer Gen X Millennial Gen Z

Who Are Generation Z?

Gen Z is the most diverse of any generation in the U.S.

Generation Z make up 25%of the U.S. population

OutnumberingBaby Boomers & Millennials

They are more independent than previous generations.

uses an average of

screens per day

5

Generation Z

of Gen Z will display symptoms of emotional distress if kept away from their personal electronic devices for too long79%

Gen Z Traits:

• Less interested in sharing their lives for the public record

• Impatient with VERY short attention spans

• YouTube over Facebook

• Place a high value on honesty

• Highly educated

• iGen

Baby Boomer Gen X Millennial Gen Z

Communication Cycle … it’s a mess.

Hello Katie. This is Barb.

Wuts up? #worklife

Communication DifferencesBaby Boomers

• Prefer face-to-face or phone calls

• Avoid meetings at all costs

• Body language is vitally important – “Show Me” generation

• Will press for details – so be prepared to get thorough

• Speak in an open, direct style but avoid controlling language

Communication DifferencesGen X

• Direct communication is preferred –just keep them in the loop

• Email is preferred workplace communication

• Feedback is encouraged and welcomed

• Keep it casual –informal communication is best

Communication DifferencesMillennials

• Prefer text or instant message

• Do not talk down to them

• Fun and humor in work and learning –not everything has to be so serious

• Use action words and challenge them at every opportunity

Communication Differences Gen Z

• Don’t typically look their communication partner in the eyes because they are constantly looking around

• 4D thinking because their minds are constantly streaming • ….if you don’t communicate with 5 words and a

big picture, you will not reach them

• Their attention span is 2.8 seconds

Something that might surprise you….

Gen Z actually prefers face-to-face communication in

their workplace

LOL … JSYK … IKR … LMAO … BRB … OMW … ILY … GR8

JK …

NP

…O

MG

…TM

I …T

TYL

SRRY… ROFL … AFAIK … G2G … IMHO … LMS … IDC

IRL …

RN

…N

SFW …

SMH

…LM

K

Kitchens

¡Hola!مرحبا

Здравствуйте

talofa

Hello!

Communication in your Kitchen

When you have employees from 4 generations working in your cafeteria…

…and all 4 have a different preferred communication method

…how do you bridge the gaps?Hint: Don’t be this version of

Mark.

Think: Tech Evolution

• Nutrition technology adoption rates ↑

• Apps as an option for younger generations

Think: Training Methods

• Millennials and Gen Z:• Ad-free videos to watch at their leisure

• Gen X & Boomers:• In-person or group training classes

Acknowledge and accept the generation gap

RULE #1 ----

AGE

NO ‘ONE SIZE FITS ALL’

RULE #2 ----

DEFERRULE #3 ----

General Rules to Follow

Thanks for listening!

Questions?

Mark would be more than happy to answer them ;) I’m going to go put my feet up. I can only make this man look good so many times...

Chat at us!

Mark Stevenson

Manager, Solution Experts

Mark.Stevenson@primeroedge.com

(281) 453-8515

Amanda Freeman

Solution Expert

Amanda.Freeman@primeroedge.com

(281) 453-8580

Linky Links

• Link #1 -https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/2013/12/8-millennials-traits-you-should-know-about-before-you-hire-them

• Link #2 - https://www.mindtickle.com/blog/10-millennial-personality-traits-hr-managers-cant-ignore/

• Link #3 - http://bizmology.hoovers.com/millennial-characteristics-mindset

• Link #4 - http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/

• Link #5 - www.popsugar.com/tech/Things-Millennials-Do-37596324

• Link #6 - http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/02/03/7-reasons-millennials-are-the-worst-generation/

• Link #7 - http://www.scarymommy.com/29-things-that-identify-you-as-generation-x/

• Link #8 - https://elearningindustry.com/8-important-characteristics-baby-boomers-elearning-professionals-know

• Link #9 - https://www.thebalance.com/baby-boomers-2164681

• Link #10 - http://www.the-baby-boomers-webplace.com/humorous-baby-boomer-characteristics.html

• Link #11 - https://growingleaders.com/blog/six-defining-characteristics-of-generation-z/

• Link #12 - https://www.forbes.com/sites/causeintegration/2016/11/28/get-ready-for-generation-z/#6f40fda52204

• Link #13 - http://www.speeli.com/articles/view/Characteristics-of-generation-z

Linky Links (continued…)

• Link #15 - http://www.inc.com/ryan-jenkins/1-tip-to-eliminate-miscommunications-across-generations.html

• Link #16 - http://michaelsseaver.com/careerbusinesscoaching/generational-differences-and-improving-communication/

• Link #17 - https://www.iofficecorp.com/blog/8-tips-to-communicate-with-4-different-generations-in-the-workplace

• Link #18 - http://old.biz.colostate.edu/mti/tips/pages/InteractionAmongTheGenerations.aspx

• Link #19 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmNzZf0996o

• Link #20 - https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/236560

• Link #21 - http://rise.xyz/blog/gen-z-communication/

• Link #22 - http://time.com/247/millennials-the-me-me-me-generation/

• Link #23 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lfxYhtf8o4