LB Bexley: the generation game

Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk

The Generation GameAnne-Louise Clark (Baby Boomer)

Rahima Shariff (Generation Y)


Three days to goWhat were you thinking …


Generation Y Updating facebook status looking forward to

making wicked group of friends Drinks after work – can’t wait!!!!! Great career boost - Am on the path Was told they really want young blood and I’ll

be working with senior managers to shape the organisation

Expect its going to be really high tech People will see me as young and inexperienced Worried that it might be last in first out if there

are job cuts


Baby Boomer Will leave a postit note on my desk to remind

me to get her desk ready and print out all the policies and procedures

Really looking forward to having another pair of hands in the team – I am so busy

Must finalise the induction programme and buddy with Jane she know the ropes and I thinks a daughter her age Have identified some tasks I need doing to ease her in gently – after all this is her first real job Just a bit worried that she may not appreciate

the way we do things here …


One month in What are you thinking now


Generation Y Loving the flexible working conditions –

great work life balance People are so weird about their desks

and what hell are tea clubs So much paper to carry about, ironic to

get a paper copy of the ICT Strategy Not yet been introduced to any senior

managers OMG Only got one BBM pin so far … lame


Baby Boomer Wow she is fantastic on the computer – no idea how she does it – I keep asking her to weave her magic with excel! Result! It is great she got loads of ideas but I can’t always drop everything to discuss them in depth – I am so busy! Need to talk to her about interacting with the

team more – I wonder what the policy is on confiscating her phone She keeps asking me about training, development and future opportunities already ... one step at a time I say


It has been six months now What have you learned?


Generation Y Tea making can be just as social as after work drinks – great way to network Not just old and crusty but experience

really does count for a lot A good manager makes a huge difference I can see myself here in four to five years time You only get out what you put – I need

to get involved and get noticed


Baby Boomer I really appreciate the fresh thinking that

she has brought to the team Having someone who if happy to work

more flexibly leaves us time to focus on outcomes

I need to find opportunities for personal development and keep her stimulated – don’t want her to leave

I have another new starter around her age and I will buddy them together


What the research tells us? Baby boomers

Seek authority to make decisions

Stays with current employer more than any other generation

Organisation demonstrates social/environ responsibility

Movement up the ‘corporate ladder’

Generation Y

Expects empowerment to get things done

Changes job every 2 – 3 years

Challenging work and able to get things done

See promotion as more of a ‘scramble net’.


What the research tells us? Baby boomers

Want autonomy and serving the community

Generation Y

Want specialist skills development

See themselves as technological multi-taskers

Don’t want to be micro managed


Any Questions


And finally Gen Y – ‘You don’t necessarily need to tick boxes in your life plan – you need to maximise the here and now …’

BB – ‘The constant need to provide opportunities for creative challenges, professional development and recognition can be difficult but rewarding’.

Gen Y – ‘Don’t be threatened – I here to learn not take your job’.

BB – ‘Just because I’m over 45 don’t think am over the hill’

LB Bexley: the generation game

Education

Transcript of LB Bexley: the generation game