Generations: The Myths and the Realities · The Myths and the Realities Tamara Dixon, Town of...
35
Generations: The Myths and the Realities Tamara Dixon, Town of Parker Jennifer Fairweather, Jefferson County
Transcript of Generations: The Myths and the Realities · The Myths and the Realities Tamara Dixon, Town of...
Generations: The Myths and the RealitiesTamara Dixon, Town of Parker
Jennifer Fairweather, Jefferson County
Learning Objectives
What’s Myth and What’s Real: the 5 generations
Effective marketing practices
Effective communication practices
Effective retention practices
Do’s and Don’ts
MYTH
Reality
Myths and Realities
Greatest Generation
Silent/Traditional Generation
Baby Boomers
Gen X
Millennials
Gen Z
Who is this about?
They always stick together and keep their distance from other age-groups.
I hate the way they drive. They’re a menace on the road.
They’re always taking and never giving. They think the world owes them a living.
They’re so opinionated. They think they know everything.
They’re never satisfied, always complaining about something.
Don’t hire them, you can’t depend on them.
Don’t they have anything better to do than hang around the parks and shopping malls?
Why are they always so forget-ful?
I wish I had as much freedom as they have.
Why don’t they act their age?
Five GenerationsMyths & Realities
Silent/Traditional
BabyBoomers
Generation X
Millennials Generation Z
Approx. Birth Years
1928-1945 1946-1964 1965-1980 1981-1997 1998-2010
Formative Experiences
• Rations• Wars• Gender roles• Nuclear
family
• Cold War• Wood-
stock• Teen
power• Apollo
• Live-Aid• First PC’s• Latch-key
kids• Challenger
• 9/11• Play Station• Social
Media• Mobile Tech
• Economic downturn
• Wiki-Leaks• Global
Warming• The Cloud
Super Power Loyalty Work Ethic Self-Reliant Social Minded
Multi-taskers
Key Takeaways?
Greatest 1901-1927
Alpha 2011-2025
MarketingMyths & Realities
Characteristics Silent/Traditional
BabyBoomers
Generation X Millennials Generation Z
Support Planned Giving
Spotlight Short and to the point
Involvement Social
Attitudes toward technology
Disengaged Early adapters
Digital immigrants
Digital natives Technoholics
Signature Product
Key Takeaways? Gen Alpha?
Communication Myths & Realities
Characteristics Silent/Traditional
BabyBoomers
Generation X
Millennials Generation Z
Communication Face-to-face
Face-to face,
ideally
Text message/
Online & mobile
Facetime
Media Formal Letter
Telephone Email and text
messaging
Text or Social Media
Wearables
Key Takeaways?Gen
Alpha?
Retention Myths & Realities
Characteristics Silent/Traditional
BabyBoomers
Generation X
Millennials Generation Z
Motivation Respect Needed My way Balance Flexibility
Aspirations HomeOwner-ship
Job security
Work-Life Balance
Freedom & Flexibility
Security & stability
Decision Making
Meetings Meetings,ideally
Online,meeting if time
Face-to-face
Digital
Career Attitudes
Jobs for life
Careers defined by employer
Loyal to profession, not organization
Work withorganizations not for
Career multi-taskers
Key Takeaways? Gen Alpha?
Teamwork Myths & Realities
Characteristics Silent/Traditional
BabyBoomers
Generation X
Millennials Generation Z
Change Adapt Dislike Accept Demand The Norm
Focus Task Relationships Task Network Social
Style Individual Team Player Entrepreneur Participative Crowdsourcing
Key Takeaways? Gen Alpha?
Leadership Myths & Realities
Characteristics Silent/Traditional
BabyBoomers
Generation X
Millennials Generation Z
Recognition Job well done
FormalRecognition
Freedom Meaning Autonomy
Rewards Respect Goal-Oriented
Flexibility Feedback Social
Feedback No news is good news
Formal Only if relevant
Timely Constant
Views on Authority
Based on seniority
Based on tenure
Skeptical Earned Respect
Equal
Key Takeaways? Gen Alpha?
The Sniff Test on Slang
“SICK”
1980
2006
1965
“DREAMBOAT”
1941
1953
1995
“GRODY”
1984
1953
1965
“WHATEVER”
2006
2014
1995
“HIPPIE”
2014
1976
1953
“MAJOR”
1995
1984
1941
“FLEEK”
1953
2014
1976
“HARDBALL”1995 1984 1976
Top Values Across All Generations
1. Family (72%)
2. Integrity (65%)
3. Achievement (48%)
4. Love (48%)
5. Competence (47%)
6. Happiness (46%)
7. Self-Respect (45%)
8. Wisdom (45%)
9. Balance (39%)
10. Responsibility (38%)
DO’s
DON’TS
Key Thoughts
In the end your generation does not ultimately define you; but how you interpret your unique place within it…one community.
QUESTIONS
Video Link –Open inBrowser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfYjGxI6AJ8
