Came across this commentary on inspiring Millennial employees in Forbes the other day and thought it was worth sharing. The theory and tips and “story behind the story” of managing across the generations that our team provides to clients around the country is important. But sometimes it’s helpful to hear it straight from the folks in the trenches figuring out how to make things work. This guy gets it – and what’s even better, he admits he didn’t always get it. Change can lead to good things. Author Ty Kiisel confirms the experiences I’ve had over the years and what… Read More
Categories: Financial Services, Generations, WorkplaceOne of the core theories in generational management is that generational norms exist based largely in response to the world environment during a group’s formative years. For the older half of the millennial generation (those currently 18 – 34) the rollercoaster economy seems to be making its mark. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Millennials are more cautious about debt than is typically expected of twenty somethings. In fact, in the past 12 years, the average debt in young households was reduced by almost half. I was especially interested in the author’s comment that this behavior is… Read More
Categories: Generations, Matures, Recession EconomyMerrill Lynch recently released a white paper Millennials and Money that surveyed some of the most affluent members of the youngest generation currently in the workforce and found them to be at odds with many of the stereotypes typically applied to this group. Michael Liersch, director of behavioral science for Merrill Lynch writes: These young people aren’t rebelling against the traditional investment approaches advocated by their parents—not only do most say they would have no objection to using their parents’ financial advisors, they are also most likely to describe their investment philosophy as “buy and hold.” They aren’t turning to… Read More
Categories: Blog, Financial ServicesEven while being diagnosed as the most narcissistic generation ever, Millennials continue to have an altruistic streak which showed up in the results of a study by the National Society of High School Scholars, which published its 6th Annual Career Survey Results last week. Yes, the Millennials heading to college this fall have big dreams for 2017. They want to work for Apple, DreamWorks, Disney and Google. But their number one preferred company to work for: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. True to their generational traits, it is not just about the paycheck – they want to feel good about… Read More
Categories: Generation Y / Millennials, GenerationsYou have to appreciate the irony of a totally younger generation communication tool being used to explain an older generation. Check out this info graphic/comic that attempts to convince advertisers and businesses that their traditional target demographics are not aligned with the actual buying power in the country today. There are so many things I love about this. As I mentioned, an info graphic is such a Gen X and Millennial way of looking at things – content may be king, but only if it is entertaining! And yet the comic styling is classic Boomer. It really is brilliant piece. … Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Blog, Product DesignSecession planning is an important part of any organization’s business strategy, and the onslaught of Baby Boomers entering retirement has been woven into news reports for several years now. So why did a recent study by executive search firm Odgers Berndston find that nearly 60% of executives surveyed were unprepared for the change? Turns out they may be ignoring the cultural differences among the generations. That is, while they’ve identified who is leaving and are dutifully transferring business knowledge down the line, they may not be looking at the more subtle – but significant – differences in how each generation… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Generations, Succession PlanningIn June 1997, TIME magazine ran a cover story about Generation X – “Great Expectations of So-Called Slackers” where they attempted to enlighten Boomers and Matures about the benefits of Xers in the workplace and the world in general. The discussions that piece sparked with clients, colleagues and peers were the impetus for what is now Generational Insights. This week the folks at TIME are at it again with their cover story “The Me Me Me Generation” and its companion piece “Millennials: The Next Greatest Generation.” On the one hand, this feels a little like seeing dock siders and day-glow… Read More
Categories: GenerationsJust last week we were talking about how 50% of Gen Xers are confident in their retirement savings. Today, we’re hearing that the confidence may not match up with the bank accounts. The Associated Press reported on the findings of a recent Pew study of the retirement readiness of Boomers and Gen Xers. While retirees are advised to have enough savings to replace 70% of their income, Gen Xers are on track to replace only 50%. The report seems to point to the timing of major economic events during the Gen X lifetime – where Boomers largely benefited from the… Read More
Categories: Financial Services, Generations, Recession EconomyIt’s taken a good long while, but it seems Generation X is finally starting to settle down and act its age. At least according to a new study conducted by the MetLife Mature Market Institute. The findings indicate that Gen Xers are now as “affluent, stable and responsibility-ridden as their parents were at the same age” as reported by the MediaPost News. The first generation to show signs of delayed adulthood, Generation X is now more typical than ever before. Or are they? It would be easy to read a report like this and assume that Gen Xers are becoming… Read More
Categories: WorkplaceWhen I was growing up a popular show on PBS had a song that teased “one of these things is not like the others, one of these things just isn’t the same.” It’s becoming clear that etiquette, common sense and social media just do not belong in the same sentence and it is affecting the one of the most etiquette-focused areas of the business world: the job interview. Yes, the “I can’t believe somebody actually did that” HR files include job candidates who have texted or accepted cell phone calls while in an interview, according to this story from USA… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Downloadable Media