BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN ALL GENERATIONS

Sue Schlichtemeier-Nutzman, Ph.D.Director, Business Leadership Program * College of Saint Mary

(402) 416-8599sschlichtemeier@csm.edu

GET A PARTNER, PAPER, PENCIL…GET READY….

20 QUESTIONSFOR FAME AND FORTUNE

(MOSTLY FAME)!

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CURRENT AGE: 85-105

KEY FACTS ABOUT THE MATURES GENERATION:

1. Increased life expectancy has made Matures more likely to: a. Enjoy hobbies d. Travelb. Work part-time e. Volunteerc. Help pay for f. All of the above grandkids’ college

2. T or F? Matures Generation is highly likely to donate money for college scholarships.

MATURES GENERATION:Influences and Events

• World War I• Introduction of the Assembly Line• Personal Knowledge of Health Crises:–Spanish Flu – TB – Polio - AIDS

• (The real) Titanic Sinks (1912)• “Roaring Twenties”• 4-Leaf Clover was adopted as a 4-H

slogan (adding “Hustle” to Head - Heart - Hands)

INVENTED OR MADE POPULAR DURING EARLY MATURES YEARS:

Have You Ever Enjoyed…?

• Sipping soda at a Soda Fountain?• Eating Jell-o or Savoring a Lifesaver?• Drinking instant coffee?• Working a crossword puzzle?• Riding in a Ford car?• Flying in a plane?

CURRENT AGE: 62-82 KEY FACTS ABOUT

WWII GENERATION:

3. Name 2 events that shaped the lives of WWII Generation.

4. T or F? WWII Gen prefers a straight-line meeting approach.

WWII GENERATIONInfluences and Events:

• World War II • Great Depression• Women in Workforce• Barebones Needs• Intro of Antibiotics• Hero-Worship

INVENTED OR MADE POPULAR DURING EARLY WWII YEARS:

Have You Ever Enjoyed…?

1936

• Sipping A & W Root Beer?• Crunching Potato Chips?• Eating PEZ candies?• Watching a movie in

“technicolor?”• Writing with a ballpoint pen?• Playing with a slinky or silly putty?

Attributes of WWIIEmployees, Customers, Citizens

• Save and Pay Cash• Prefer “Made in the USA”• Prefer brand names that they recognize• Like to know the history of a company• Look for value and quality• Want hassle-free transactions for self/others• View of Entrepreneurship: If you work hard

enough, you can achieve anything

STRAIGHT-LINE vs. LOOP

• STRAIGHT-LINE = Prefers organization, structure, sequence, chains of command, working independently– Values the product

• LOOP = Prefers flexibility, “thinking outside the box”, multiple dimensions,networks, working together-- Values the process

LINEARITY BY GENERATION

• Matures

• WWII

• Boomers

• Gen X

• Gen Y

CURRENT AGE: 45-63 KEY FACTS ABOUT THE

BABY BOOM GENERATION:

5. In life, what do Boomers value most?

6. T or F? 4/5 of Boomers plan to work at least part time during “retirement”.

BABY BOOMERSInfluences and Events:

• Introduction of TV• “Flower Power” & Vietnam War• Assassination of JFK & ML King• Building College Dorms• Civil Rights Movement• Feminist Movement

inc. Title IX

INVENTED OR MADE POPULAR DURING EARLY BOOMER YEARS:

Have You Ever Enjoyed…?• Snacking on M&M’s?• Eating Pizza, Spaghettios, Fritoes & Dips?• Dining on Frenchees or McBurgers?• Drinking “New Coke”, Tang, Instant Tea?• Zapping a meal in the microwave?• Playing with a Frisbee, Yo-yo, a Hula

Hoop, Mr. Potato Head, or a Barbie Doll?• Using a credit card?

Attributes of Baby Boom Employees, Customers, Citizens

• Buy now, pay later• Respond positively to nostalgia and tradition• Prefer “natural” items• Want to “make a positive difference”• Require the “personal touch”• Want their time valued (“I know you’re

busy…”)• View of Entrepreneurship: Recent revival of

interest– freedom and flexibility are valuable

Boomers Grew Up with “Proverbs”With your partner, say how you would finish

these. Do you have the same responses?

“Absence makes the heart…..”

“Good things come to those who …..”

“A chain is no stronger than….”

“A friend in need…..”

“Don’t judge a book by its…..”

CURRENT AGE: 28-44 KEY FACTS ABOUT

GENERATION X:

7. In life, Gen Xers value ___ and ___ most.8. T or F? A higher % of Xers than Boomers

say spiritual teachings are important in making personal decisions.

HOW MANY CORRECT

ANSWERS DO YOU

HAVE SO FAR?

GENERATION XInfluences and Events:

• Small Size of Generation• Change to Many Family Structures• Pervasive Influence of Technology• Loss of Heroes/Heroines• Concern About AIDS• Greater Cultural Diversity

INVENTED OR MADE POPULAR DURING EARLY Xer YEARS:

Have You Ever Enjoyed…?

• Eating Cheesecake or Drinking a Smoothie?• Munching on Trail Mix / Granola Bars?• Getting cash from an ATM?• Recording on your VCR?• Playing Hacky Sack?• Using a Post-It? • Talking on a Cell Phone?

Attributes of Gen X Employees, Customers, Citizens

• Good at change• Not brand loyal/Always checking options• Comfortable with technology• Independent• Financially savvy and creative• Not intimidated / Impressed by authority• Want to be able to buy “just the basics”• View of Entrepreneurship: Too risky