The ‘80s and ‘90s Babies: Understanding

the Millennial CohortPresented by: Christine Idokogi

Leadership and Organizational BehaviorProfessor Waugh

What Are the Generations?

Background

Matures Between the ages

of 90 and 70 Born before WWII

and the Great Depression

Less than 5% in the workforce

Baby Boomers Between the ages

of 64-46 years old Born post WWII

during the prosperity “boom”

Nearly 45% in the workforce

Many are gearing up for retirement

Generation X Born between

1965- 1980 Between the ages

of 45-30 years old They make up over

40% of the workforce

Millennials Born after 1980

until late 1990s The oldest

Millennial is in their late 20s

While the youngest is still in middle school.

Only about 10% are in the workforce

What Makes Us Different?

Times Have Changed …

Matures’ Characteristics

Strongly influenced by family Education was viewed more as a

dream Dedication Sacrifice Hard Working Rule Abiding

Baby Boomers Characteristics

Similar work ethic to Matures, but for their individual benefit

Education now seen as a birthright Optimistic Team Oriented Personal Gratification Investment

Generation X Characteristics

More vigorously working to live the way they wanted to live

More focus on work/life balance Diversity Global Thinking Fun Technological Literacy Self Reliance

Millennial Characteristics Strongly correlated

around technology “Connected

Generation” Work/ Life Balance

is very serious Civic duty Confidence Achievement Street Smarts

Who Exactly Are the Millennials?

‘80s and ‘90s Babies

Millennials’ Must-Haves

Salary Requirements anywhere from …› $21K to $90K› Medical and paid vacations are a MUST› NO Life Insurance and Childcare right now› 401K Plans› Short Commute (30-60 min)› Geographic Location› Maintain YOUNG Lifestyle (travel,

entertainment, Student Loans)

Millennials’ Must-Haves

Most of all, Millennials want…› Opportunities for growth and training› Work directly with others Millennials › Opportunities for Promotions› Variety in routine› Teamwork

Disconnected from the “Connected

Generation” Boomers vs. Millennials

Employers Think… Lazy Disloyal Self-indulged Non-existent

Work Ethic

Truth is… Want work that is

meaningful Do not want to work

from the bottom up Parents encouraged

them to follow their dreams

Millennials Need…

The newest technologies to put their tech savvy to work for the company

Meaningful project to prove themselves, NOT “busy work”

Nurturing and Mentorship Development Plenty of Feedback Flexibility

Debunking Myths about the Millennials

Myth 1: Little to No Work Ethic

› TRUTH: Younger generations have a more self-centered work ethic.

Debunking Myths about the Millennials

MYTH 2: Do Not Want to Put In the Work to Get Ahead

› TRUTH: Unlike the older generations, Millennials do not lose themselves in their work.

› They work to live… NOT Live to work.

Debunking Myths about the Millennials

MYTH 3: No Respect for Authority

› TRUTH: For Millennials, respect is earned. Once they have it, loyalty will follow suit.

Debunking Myths about the Millennials

MYTH 4: Do Not Want to Grow Up

› TRUTH: Millennials want to grow up, they just do not know how.

“Millennials are getting married later, having children later, and generally facing the real world later in life” – Marston.

Motivating and Managing Millennials

Employers MUST have these skills when managing Millennials › Interest in TECHNOLOGY› Provide CHALLENGING assignments› Offer HELPFUL and CONSTANT feedback› Ability to allow them FLEXIBILITY› Offer diversified opportunities for

DEVELOPMENT› FUN organizational culture

IT’S ALL ABOUT KEEPING US ENGAGED!

REFERENCES Behrens, W. (2009). Managing Millennials. MHS, Spring. 19-21.

Marston, C. (January 2008). Retaining Younger Workers in the Workplace. Houston Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management, 30 (1). 1-3.

Notter, J. (2002). Generational Diversity in the Workplace. Notter Consulting. 1-9.

Rawlins, C. , Indvik, J. , Johnson, P.R., Understanding the Generation: What the Millennial Cohort Absolutely , Positively Must Have at Work. Journal of Organizational Culture, Communication and Culture, 12(2). 1-8.

Stuart, A. , Surrette, R., Lyons, S. ( May 2008). Millennials in the Workplace: Understanding and Capitalizing on the Connected Generation. Robertson-Surrette VIEWPOINT. 1-3.

Sujansky, J. G., Ferri-Reed, J.. (2010). Motivating Millennials. Management/Millennials, p. 6

THE END!!

Any Questions ??