Welcome To:Welcome To:“Keeping & “Keeping &

Motivating Your Motivating Your Next-Gen Next-Gen

Technician”Technician”

By John C. Mrazek

Who Are These Next-Who Are These Next-Gener’s?Gener’s?

According To The According To The Experts:Experts:

• Gen-X = Gen-X = – Born Between 1964-1980Born Between 1964-1980– Extremely image driven, even grungeExtremely image driven, even grunge– Don’t really careDon’t really care– Heavily influenced by peers & perceptionHeavily influenced by peers & perception– Play is everything and the only thingPlay is everything and the only thing

• Gen-Y =Gen-Y =– Echo-Boomers or MillennialsEcho-Boomers or Millennials– 70 million plus babies of Boomers70 million plus babies of Boomers– $100 a week in disposable income$100 a week in disposable income– Grew up during OJ, Monica, Columbine Grew up during OJ, Monica, Columbine

and the 2000 Presidential Electionand the 2000 Presidential Election– Heavily influenced by peersHeavily influenced by peers

http://www.bcentral.com/articles/krotz/122.aspMarketing Intelligence / Joanna L. Krotz

Specifically They Are:Specifically They Are:• ..your 2 income 20/30+ something neighbors ..your 2 income 20/30+ something neighbors

with a new baby, leased cars, and the need to with a new baby, leased cars, and the need to look good.look good.

• ..a very diverse group and tolerant of ..a very diverse group and tolerant of different cultures and family situations.different cultures and family situations.

• ..more “Worldly” then we were but not any ..more “Worldly” then we were but not any better prepared to handle the “real” world.better prepared to handle the “real” world.

• ..takers instead of givers because they grew ..takers instead of givers because they grew up during the economic boom and have been up during the economic boom and have been given everything by guilty parents.given everything by guilty parents.

• ..not respectful of authority or position...not respectful of authority or position.• ..seekers of truth and do not trust advertising..seekers of truth and do not trust advertising• ..very lonely, looking for community and a ..very lonely, looking for community and a

sense of belongingsense of belonging

Why is This Happening to Why is This Happening to Us??Us??

• Boomer technicians are retiring or Boomer technicians are retiring or have become so specialized that daily have become so specialized that daily support is a waste of their big salary support is a waste of their big salary

• Boomers have also moved into Boomers have also moved into leadership positions and a vacuum leadership positions and a vacuum has developed in the entry level has developed in the entry level positions.positions.

• X-ers are becoming professors and X-ers are becoming professors and chairs and technology is not an add-chairs and technology is not an add-on but integral to their teaching on but integral to their teaching process.process.

Why Are They This Why Are They This Way?Way?

Media & Next-GenersMedia & Next-Geners• According to Sitcoms, life’s issues wrap up in 18 minutes or less & According to Sitcoms, life’s issues wrap up in 18 minutes or less &

always with everyone happy.always with everyone happy.

– Translation = Short attention span & my life must always be happy and upbeat.

• If you lose at a video game, you get to start over and everything is If you lose at a video game, you get to start over and everything is

forgottenforgotten

– Translation = Mistakes are no big deal & have no lasting effects so its OK to try new ideas or not always do my best.

• A “successful” life looks like MTV, happens just as fast, and based A “successful” life looks like MTV, happens just as fast, and based

on instant gratification instead of long term rewardson instant gratification instead of long term rewards

– Translation = Short attention span, life is all about excitement and fun, and whatever the “herd” is doing right now must be right!

• They have a Game boy, Xbox, Cell Phone, Super Fast PC, iPod, They have a Game boy, Xbox, Cell Phone, Super Fast PC, iPod,

Digital Camera, Broad-Band, and use IM to get “hooked up” with Digital Camera, Broad-Band, and use IM to get “hooked up” with

friends:friends:

– Translation = Technology is as natural to me as a TV, VCR, Microwave Oven, and Refrigerator are to my parents and just as necessary!

School & Next-School & Next-GenersGeners• There isn’t only one “right” answer to most problems.There isn’t only one “right” answer to most problems.

– Translation = You’ve got your way, I’ve got my way and that is Ok, and I don’t want or have to do it your way.

• Everyone is part of a team and there are lots of group projectsEveryone is part of a team and there are lots of group projects

– Translation = They are very good at working in teams and communicating. They also understand how to contribute enough to make the team successful but not themselves.

• Everyone is a success because we don’t want to damage your self Everyone is a success because we don’t want to damage your self

esteem.esteem.

– Translation = Under achievers and don’t want to be different from the rest by excelling too much. Why excel if there is no benefit?

• Even grade school homework is typed and all research is done on Even grade school homework is typed and all research is done on

the Internet and not in a Library with card files and indexes.the Internet and not in a Library with card files and indexes.

– Translation = Very familiar with computers and search engines but not research methods and finding things through deduction.

Family & Next-GenersFamily & Next-Geners• Mom & Dad are always work and I am by myself again.Mom & Dad are always work and I am by myself again.

– Translation = I can only count on me so I have to be self sufficient and my ideas and advice comes from peers who are around more and understand me better.

• Since I was 6 weeks old I’ve always gone to “school” or had a lot of Since I was 6 weeks old I’ve always gone to “school” or had a lot of

“Aunts” to take care of me (except at night or on weekends).“Aunts” to take care of me (except at night or on weekends).

– Translation = Mistrust of older people because of inconsistency.

• Accumulating lots of new stuff is what life is about:Accumulating lots of new stuff is what life is about:

– Translation = A successful grown up has a lot cool stuff and family fits in 2-3 weeks a year or on weekends.

• Mom and dad take a long time to decide stuff and are more interested Mom and dad take a long time to decide stuff and are more interested

in relaxing/recovering from work by doing their thing instead of having in relaxing/recovering from work by doing their thing instead of having

fun with me.fun with me.

– Translation = Grown ups are boring, slow, and not interested in me.

What’s the Result?What’s the Result?• Next Gen-ers are parallel thinkers and assimilators Next Gen-ers are parallel thinkers and assimilators

that can absorb enormous amounts of information that can absorb enormous amounts of information

quickly and create solutions much faster then us.quickly and create solutions much faster then us.

• They are not loyal to the institution or vision because They are not loyal to the institution or vision because

they’ve seen too many lay-offs and down-sizings to they’ve seen too many lay-offs and down-sizings to

trust any organization, boss, or grown-up.trust any organization, boss, or grown-up.

• They process data faster then us so they bore easily They process data faster then us so they bore easily

and need constant input or excitement to keep their and need constant input or excitement to keep their

attention and focus.attention and focus.

• Since collecting stuff, or having fun is everything, they Since collecting stuff, or having fun is everything, they

want and need lots of money! (which HED has little of)want and need lots of money! (which HED has little of)

• Long term is 3-6 months and their short attention Long term is 3-6 months and their short attention

spans can make normal IT operations and projects spans can make normal IT operations and projects

incredibly boring.incredibly boring.

If I Don’t Have If I Don’t Have Money, Then How Money, Then How

Do I Keep or Do I Keep or Motivate Them?Motivate Them?

Strategies I’ve Seen Strategies I’ve Seen Work…Work…

• Treasure themTreasure them• Become their personal/trusted “Head Become their personal/trusted “Head

Hunter”Hunter”• Challenge them to not become their parentsChallenge them to not become their parents• Protect them from Protect them from youryour peers peers• Create crusades to accelerate “binding”Create crusades to accelerate “binding”• Shorten all projects to “micro-deliverables” Shorten all projects to “micro-deliverables” • Lavishly & creatively celebrate each Lavishly & creatively celebrate each

milestonemilestone• Plan to get rid of them, and make them Plan to get rid of them, and make them

aware of itaware of it

TreasuringTreasuring Them?? Them??• Why?Why?

– Because God only really has one Because God only really has one treasure and its people, and if you treasure and its people, and if you treasure something other what He treasure something other what He treasures you are wasting your one treasures you are wasting your one and only life!and only life!

– Because it’ll be a new experience Because it’ll be a new experience for them and will help build loyalty for them and will help build loyalty & identity in them.& identity in them.

– Because the rest of the world won’tBecause the rest of the world won’t– Because it doesn’t require $$$ to Because it doesn’t require $$$ to

do itdo itBill Hybels, Willow Creek Church

Become Their Become Their Personal/Trusted “Head Personal/Trusted “Head

Hunter”Hunter”• Earn their trust by helping build their Earn their trust by helping build their

resume your watch by:resume your watch by:– Challenge them to do 2 interviews a yearChallenge them to do 2 interviews a year– Continually point out how each project, task, Continually point out how each project, task,

or daily responsibility helps their resumeor daily responsibility helps their resume– Offer training as a carrot to build their Offer training as a carrot to build their

resumeresume– Mention other job opportunities to them and Mention other job opportunities to them and

discuss why they are better or different from discuss why they are better or different from their currenttheir current

– Regularly discuss their 5 year career plan Regularly discuss their 5 year career plan and how their current job and training is and how their current job and training is helping them get there (or not).helping them get there (or not).

Challenge Them Not To Challenge Them Not To Become Their Parents…Become Their Parents…

• What is wrong with their parents?What is wrong with their parents?– Everything or nothingEverything or nothing

• Isn’t this dangerous or inappropriate?Isn’t this dangerous or inappropriate?– Depends on person and their family Depends on person and their family

relationshiprelationship– Its not the specific person, but their mindsetIts not the specific person, but their mindset

• Does this cross any H/R lines?Does this cross any H/R lines?– Only if specifics are usedOnly if specifics are used– Stay very general and point out trends or Stay very general and point out trends or

perceptionsperceptions– Use reverse psychologyUse reverse psychology

Protect Them From Protect Them From YourYour Peers…Peers…

• Nobody understands Technical PeopleNobody understands Technical People• Nobody understands Next-Gen-er’sNobody understands Next-Gen-er’s

– Including you! Including you!

• Circle the wagons around them and Circle the wagons around them and their differencestheir differences– Never record “Comp Time”Never record “Comp Time”– Wrap proper “business” vocabulary around Wrap proper “business” vocabulary around

their creative and off-the-wall ideastheir creative and off-the-wall ideas– Focus their angst about structure & rules Focus their angst about structure & rules

on the magic “them”on the magic “them”– Help them work through conflicts with your Help them work through conflicts with your

peers using an “Art of War” view pointpeers using an “Art of War” view point

Create Crusades To Accelerate Create Crusades To Accelerate “Binding”…“Binding”…

• What is “Binding”?What is “Binding”?– Short for “binding our hearts together”Short for “binding our hearts together”– Espirit de Corp, camaraderie, TeamEspirit de Corp, camaraderie, Team– Everyone wants to be a part of something Everyone wants to be a part of something

bigger then themselves, especially Next-bigger then themselves, especially Next-Gener’sGener’s

• What is the difference between normal What is the difference between normal projects and crusades?projects and crusades?– Only spin and perceptionOnly spin and perception

• I thought Next-Gener’s are loners?I thought Next-Gener’s are loners?– They are by circumstance but not by choiceThey are by circumstance but not by choice

Shorten All Projects To Shorten All Projects To “Micro-Deliverables”…“Micro-Deliverables”…

• The days of 12-18 month long projects The days of 12-18 month long projects are over! are over! – Think days and weeks nowThink days and weeks now– Next-Gener’s do not have the attention span Next-Gener’s do not have the attention span

to stay focused for that longto stay focused for that long• But some projects take longer then 30 But some projects take longer then 30

days?days?– True, but only you need to know that.True, but only you need to know that.– It’s the old “Eat the Elephant 1 Bite at a It’s the old “Eat the Elephant 1 Bite at a

time” ideatime” idea– Spin it to them as small bites and you Spin it to them as small bites and you

manage the macro-level aspects and how manage the macro-level aspects and how they all plug together.they all plug together.

– Great opportunity for a Gantt ChartGreat opportunity for a Gantt Chart

Lavishly & Creatively Lavishly & Creatively Celebrate Milestones!Celebrate Milestones!

• Milestones?Milestones?– Project Management speak for critical Project Management speak for critical

path completionspath completions– Except everything is a milestone nowExcept everything is a milestone now

• Remember their MTV world? Big Remember their MTV world? Big Party!Party!

• Does celebrating cost anything?Does celebrating cost anything?– It can but doesn’t have to. Can you say It can but doesn’t have to. Can you say

“Staff Improvement” budget?“Staff Improvement” budget?– Try BBQ’s, field trips for Ice Cream, Kick-Try BBQ’s, field trips for Ice Cream, Kick-

ball, Hawaiian Shirt & Bermuda Shorts ball, Hawaiian Shirt & Bermuda Shorts Day, an afternoon at the movies, Donut Day, an afternoon at the movies, Donut Day, Frisbee catch, send them home earlyDay, Frisbee catch, send them home early

Always Plan To Get Rid Always Plan To Get Rid of Them, & Tell Themof Them, & Tell Them

• The current trend for technical people The current trend for technical people (in a good market)(in a good market) is 18 months and out is 18 months and out

• If you chase or hold them they’ll runIf you chase or hold them they’ll run– Be bold and set a date for their departure Be bold and set a date for their departure

and tell them!and tell them!

• Its all about reverse psychologyIts all about reverse psychology• If they leave its OK because “Moore’s If they leave its OK because “Moore’s

Law” is true for people too!Law” is true for people too!

How Isn’t This How Isn’t This Manipulation?Manipulation?• It is in a way, but that is such an “ugly It is in a way, but that is such an “ugly

word”…word”…– How about behavior modificationHow about behavior modification– Or helping them make healthier choices?Or helping them make healthier choices?

• How can we do this and still be good How can we do this and still be good people and Christian’s?people and Christian’s?– Matthew 10:16 says: “I am sending you out Matthew 10:16 says: “I am sending you out

like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”doves.”

– I believe that we need to be as shrewd as a I believe that we need to be as shrewd as a snake in order to be as gentle as a dove.snake in order to be as gentle as a dove.

• As a Christian in a business setting, I As a Christian in a business setting, I believe that we need to show our Next-believe that we need to show our Next-Gener a different way that honors Gener a different way that honors them. them.

The $10k QuestionThe $10k Question• Does This Stuff Really work?Does This Stuff Really work?

– I still chat with Next-Geners that I still chat with Next-Geners that worked for me 10 years agoworked for me 10 years ago• They still ask me for career advice

– I’ve had Next-Gen Technicians working I’ve had Next-Gen Technicians working for me over 18 months @ Judsonfor me over 18 months @ Judson

– I’ve had Next-Geners stay with me for I’ve had Next-Geners stay with me for 29 to over 44 months at previous jobs.29 to over 44 months at previous jobs.

• What’s the alternative?What’s the alternative?– Your budget growing anytime soon?Your budget growing anytime soon?– Are they going to become us??Are they going to become us??

Questions?Questions???