Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Bridging the Gap Generations Working Together

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Have you ever heard? “Gen Xers don’t want to work the way we work. They won’t commit the time and put in the hours.” Quote courtesy of Craig Weidel,

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Or this... “These older generations don’t work as smart as the rest of us. They don’t want to learn the new technology.” Quote courtesy of Craig Weidel,

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. For the first time EVER... four generations are working and volunteering together, simultaneously

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. 4 Generations in the Workplace : Silent Generation : Baby Boomers : Gen X : Millenials

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Dramatic Change 2005 scales tipped more Gen X & Y in the workplace Since 2011 roughly 10-million more Y’s join outnumbering X’s Baby Boomers – 330 turn 60 every hour More than a million 75+ are still working Slide courtesy of Craig Weidel,

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Each Generation... Expectations Defining Moments Modes of Communicating World Views Values

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What do these changes mean? One-on-one coaching and mentoring More astute at hiring best person Differences need to be bridged Slide courtesy of Craig Weidel,

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. What We’ll Cover Unique Qualities of Each Generation Ways to Work Effectively with Each Generation Big Actions to Consider when Working Together Questions to Ask Yourself

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Word to the wise... We’re generalizing.

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Watch out for Cuspers!

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. 4 Generations Silent Generation Baby Boomers Gen X Millennials

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Famous Silents Slide courtesy of Craig Weidel,

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Silent Generation Born 1925 to 1945 Approx. 30 million Americans Experienced World War II as children Came of age in Cold War Conformity 40% of men served in military

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Major Technology Change

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Values Loyalty Hierarchy Patience Respect for Rules and Authority Self-Sacrifice Caution about Technology

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. When working with... Tradition Loyalty to a key issue in their lives Value of joint work ethic No “coasting” allowed Offer learning experiences Create knowledge transfer programs

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Famous Boomers Slide courtesy of Craig Weidel,

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Baby Boomers Born 1946 to 1962 Approx. 80 million Americans Largest generation in US history Grew up with huge social change Openly rebelled against government Experienced the Cold War

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Values Career-Focused Technology that Makes Life Easier Self Improvement and Growth Cynicism about Institutions Optimism Sense of Entitlement

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. When working with... Value to the team Need for them Ability to improve your services Young and “cool” workplace Public recognition Help “change the world”

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Famous Xers Slide courtesy of Craig Weidel,

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Gen X Born 1963 to 1980 Approx. 45 million Americans Worked in the Boomers’ shadow Interested in stability

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Values Work-Life Balance Informality and Fun Stability Self-Reliance Independence Latest Technology

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. When working with... Provide flexible work arrangements Give career development opportunities Access to decision makers Compensation commensurate with contribution

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Famous Millenials Slide courtesy of Craig Weidel,

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Millennials Born 1981 to 2002 Approx. 75 million Americans Children of boomers Born in high-tech society Life-long learners Collaboration

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Values Work-Life Balance Achievement- Focused Social Commitment Comfort with Technology Networking Quick Impact

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. When working with... Remember work-life balance Don’t parent or micro-manage Give immediate feedback Give voice in decision-making and planning

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Commonalities 85% 74% Want to feel valued Want to be recognized and appreciated

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Commonalities 73% 72% Want a supportive environment Want a capable workforce

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Commonalities 68% Want to be part of a team

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. So, what’s the big deal?

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Respect.

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Work/Volunteer-Life Balance Boomers: –“Live to Work!” –Work is a location Gen X/ Gen Y: –“Work to Live!” –Work is an activity

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Big Actions Include generational issues in planning Mentor & discuss among generations Target market by generation Age down Meet techspectations

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Mentor and Discuss Formal and informal mentoring and discussions Break down barriers between generations –Younger generations can mentor on technology –More experienced can mentor on managment

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Target Market By Generation Rethink your marketing by generation Consider: –Medium of Communication –Emphasis in Messaging –Values

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Age Down Compute the mean age of: –Board –Management –Volunteers –Donors Actively seek to reduce age Balance effort: –Don’t want to discriminate –Value contributions of all

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Meet Techspectations and Gen X have high expectations Even Boomers have high expectations

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. “The solution to generational differences has to do more with respecting people as people and unique individuals than any prescribed formula.” ~Paula Gregorowics, The Paula G Company “The solution to generational differences has to do more with respecting people as people and unique individuals than any prescribed formula.” ~Paula Gregorowics, The Paula G Company Closing Thoughts

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Questions for SNA In recruiting for and recognizing volunteers, do we imply that older or younger people are the most involved or are the best?

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Questions for SNA Do we confuse changes in volunteering with the demise of volunteering?

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Serving the Next Generation Generation Z, iGeneration, Gen Tech, Gen Wii, Net Gen, Gen Next, Post Gen Born 2002-Present Most diverse generation

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Generation Z Values Highly connected “Digital Natives” Don’t believe in American Dream Diversity

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Closing Thoughts Meet in the middle Different isn’t wrong Find similarities Focus on strengths

Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Sources Craig Weidel, Generations: The Challenge of a Lifetime by Peter C. Brinkerhoff “PART TWO: Managing Event Volunteers Across Generations” by Florence May “Bridging the Generation Gap” Workplace Learning and Performance: Building the Skills for Your Success facilitated by Deborah Laurel for the South Central Library System, Laurel and Associates, Ltd. “Understanding the Different Cultures of Different Generations” by Peter Brinckerhoff, the Bridgespan Group “The Volunteer Generation Gap” by Susan J. Ellis, Generations at Work, by Ron Zemke, Claire Raines, and Bob Filipczak. (New York: AMACOM, 2000) pp