"A traditional model of work focuses on recruiting, training, supervising and retaining". According to Aliah D. Wright, (shrm HR magazine, July 2010) "the "new" model focuses on initiating, engaging, collaborating and evolving. The important way to reach the "Net Gen" employee are to customize position descriptions, use game based training, use former employees to find new people to continuously bring in new ideas".
According to Wright, "the characteristics of such youth are that they grew up with digital technologies. This influences how they respond to all facets of life. They enjoy freedom and freedom of choice. They are natural collaborators who enjoy conversation rather than lectures. They want to have fun while at work and school!"
Most of us have learned that there are changes to how a prospective employee seeks their next employer. They are more actively involved in the process. They use technology, they make judgments on how our websites appear, whether we are on social media sites and how we handle that. They handle the interview process as a two way dialogue, the introductory period (typically the first 90 days) is a time when the new employee "evaluates" the new employer, rather than only the other way around.
Conflict often results due to the gaps between this generation and the older generation. The style of work is different. The older generation is focused on working hard, long hours, the "newer" generation finds "down time" important, free time, a priority. Employers need to be sure they are aware of this difference and set up the climate to addresses such gaps and differences. Many of the "new gens" group lack social skills as we know them. They are more open expressing themselves in writing given the time many spend on social media sites. They often require more immediate, regular feedback . They often find constructive criticism a challenge to accept, they are much more used to positive feedback related to their work.
Further, the use of technology varies from generation to generation. Texting and use of social media is a way of life for the "new generation". Email is seens as "old fashioned" communication and hardly used by this generation. Relationships are often developed through such methods of communication. The reality is that both traditional and non traditional methods of communication are important and necessary as part of our work life. It is extremely important that management sees this and addresses the gaps so we all learn from one another.
More and more it is important to have your foundation for managing employees in place. This includes updated "personal" position descriptions, updated policies/handbooks, a good performance management system.
If we plan to remain competitive, we need to understand the importance, value and risks with social media and our current and new approaches to the workplace. Time management becomes more and more important. We need to understand that the role of mangaement is becoming more and more important and time consuming. It is not only worth the time but required if you want to remain competitive and productive.
