Animal House, Prince and Avocado Toast: Can They All Work Together?

GENERATIONS  Traditionalists---Born from 1925 to 1942.  44 million in U.S.  Baby Boomers---Born from 1943 to 1966.  80 million in U.S. Generation X---Born from 1966 to 1980.  46 million in U.S.   Millenials---Born from 1980 to early 2000s.  92 million in U.S.

BABY BOOMERS 70 to 80 million will exit the workplace in the next decade Constitute a large majority of today’s company leaders. Major influences:  Suburbia, Vietnam, Watergate, Protests Characteristics:  Idealistic, individualistic, believe in “paying your dues” and moving up the ladder Loyalty is important, but not as much as with Traditionalists.  May change jobs, but afraid of “getting behind.”

GENERATION X Will be taking over positions from Baby Boomers---different values Major influences:  Television, early video games, higher divorce rate among parents, latch-key kids Characteristics:  Self-reliant, distrustful of institutions, skeptical, comfortable with technology, focus on family Seek fun and meaningful work environment.  More entrepreneurial.  Must earn their respect.

MILLENIALS – HOW OLDER PEOPLE SEE THEM Reputation of being tough to manage. Major influences:  Hand-held technology, social media, diversity, global thinking, “helicopter” parents, “everybody gets a trophy” Characteristics:  Cyber-savvy.  Quick absorption of information.  Realists. Do not follow “climb the ladder”. Strong belief in self-expression. Want flexibility in work environment.

PERCEIVED DIFFERENCES AMONG GENERATIONS (from a Brown University study): Traditionals       Boomer Gen X Millenial Changing Jobs Carries a stigma Puts you behind Is necessary The ultimate multi-taskers Motivators Job well done $, title, promotion Freedom, fun Personal fulfillment Workplace flexibility Who will do the work? Judges those not at office I’ll go where I can get it Should suit my needs Productivity in many areas Inputs and outputs matter Input matters most Output is all that matters Churn lots of topsoil Give me more… Essential Money Time Affirmation Performance Reviews If no one is yelling, good Once a year; documented Sorry to interrupt, how am I doing? What do you mean I’m not outstanding?

COMMUNICATION---Try Something New Baby Boomers----Prefer face-to-face or verbal communication. Generation X----Want communication to be instantaneous Millenials---Much happier with electronic communications TIPS:  Manage expectations on response times Realize that you may not catch all employees in their office -try electronic notices Pick a time for telephone conversations. Don’t over-meet

MENTORING-----IT WORKS BOTH WAYS Millenials----Want to learn new skills.  Used to following leadership. Baby Boomers---Benefit from learning about new technology and trends. Generation X---Like cooperative thinking and validation of a plan

OVERALL TIPS---WE SHOULD ALREADY KNOW THIS STUFF Treat co-workers with respect. Recognize that people process information and work differently. Try new ideas and methods. Don’t be afraid to have fun in the office.

Thank you for your attention ! Will Manuel, Partner Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP 188 E. Capitol St., Ste 1000 Jackson, MS 39201 601.948.8000 wmanuel@babc.com Thank you for your attention !