Having three generations in the same workplace can present challenges. The speaker for this year’s “Respecting Differences” program in Kalamazoo says those can be overcome and make a company stronger.
Scott Zimmer is a generational expert and keynote speaker for Bridgeworks. His presentation is free and open to the public. Zimmer will speak on Wednesday April 13th at 9:30a.m. and again at 2:00p.m. The Respecting Differences Program is sponsored by Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo County, the cities of Kalamazoo and Portage, and Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Zimmer says people are shaped by the world around them as they grow up. He says that also leads to different approaches in the workplace. Zimmer says it’s important for companies to adapt and recognize that “one size does not fit all.” He says that goes for things such as giving feedback to employees.
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Baby boomers see “face time” and professionalism as the most important factors at work, according to Zimmer. He says generation Xers believe that if they could work more efficiently it would create a better balance between work and personal life. Zimmer says millennials came to the work place with the idea of “results oriented work” and always being connected.
A multi-generational workplace can make a company better according to Zimmer. He says Millennials are a growing part of the workforce. But Zimmer says too often they are still treated as students. He says companies should be “pulling from the strengths of each generation that you’ve got inside the walls of your company.”
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