Just what is the problem with Gen Y?

Just what is the problem with Gen Y? Plenty, it would seem, going by our recent seminars on Gen Y --- which have been totally sold-out!

We put this very question to managers and HR professionals across industries, in both the public and private sectors. Here are some of their raw, unedited, 'politically incorrect', no-holds-barred comments:

• Perpetually late!
• Under-dressed
• Clueless about workplace norms and 'rules' --- like that how to survive?!?
• Always online – but not necessarily working on 'real' work
• I thought they don't like supervision... so I left them to do the project on their own. When I realised it was going nowhere, I had to rescue it at the last minute!
• Ambitious and wants to do a lot, even though he understands very little about what's actually happening in the business.
• Easily bored --- and she has only been here for 3 weeks!!

So relax --- you are not alone!

Like you, managers across all industries are finding Gen Y employees to be a strange, bewildering and perplexing lot.

One question I am often asked is this: "Is this Gen Y thing just a teething issue that will go away in due time?" The bad news is --- I am afraid not. This Gen Y issue is not going to go away. In fact, if anything, this issue will only increase in proportion and magnitude, basically because the universities and schools are churning out Gen Y graduates by the thousands every year.

And if you think this is bad, think about what will happen in the next 10 years. Today, they are aged 26 and below. Chances are, they are only a minority in your organisation, and working at entry-level positions.

• What will happen to your organisation when more and more of them populate the organisation?
• When will happen when they reach middle management in a few years' time? 

Suffice to say, smart organisational leaders and managers will start engaging Gen Y today. 

Gen Y = A Career Opportunity?

Smile --- It's not all bad news! Here's some good news. The Gen Y issue actually presents some unique career opportunities for people managers.

Think about it for a minute. As a whole generation of baby boomer and Gen X managers struggle with Gen Y issues, you can differentiate yourself by updating your managerial skills to include managing Gen Y. It's a definite opportunity to distinguish yourself from the pack and value-add to your organisation.

In short, I believe that the ability to manage Gen Y employees will be an increasingly prized quality in the years to come.

If they can do it, so can you!

Here at LifeWorkz, we are graduating another bumper crop of Gen Y-savvy educators --- lecturers and campus administrators --- who are wising up to the antics of their Gen Y campus students.

Now, if the generational gap in the workplace is bad, it's probably worse on campus, where the age gap is even wider. So if these educators can become Gen Y-savvy, so can you!

I thought you might want to hear what these lecturers and campus administrators had to say about our Gen Y course. Their feedback was highly positive: 

"The programme is engaging and the facilitator is clear and confident with her content. I will definitely recommend this to my colleagues and encourage them to attend."

"The session has helped me understand Gen Y better and communicate more effectively with them."

"A concise workshop that offers an understanding of what makes Gen Y tick!"

"A wonderfully enjoyable course!"

Get up to speed --- or get left behind!

LifeWorkz's unique offering, "Y U So Like Dat --- A Crash Course on Decoding Gen Y" will help you get up to speed quickly on this new phenomenon that is literally changing our workplace and the way we work.

In just half a day, you will finally 'get' them, understand their worldview and learn how to motivate, manage and maximise their engagement at work.

How much time are you willing to invest to address your Gen Y-related issues, or to upgrade your managerial skills? 3 days? 1 full day? Now, what if you could get a quick and comprehensive update in just 2 or 3 hours? Now you can!

LifeWorkz - the Gen Y Expert!

Which training provider would you trust to bring you on this learning journey? In other words, why LifeWorkz?

• LifeWorkz is the preferred Gen Y consultant for a number of organisations and companies. We are trusted in the boardroom and give executive briefings to top management.
• LifeWorkz is widely recognised as the Gen Y Expert. We provide authoritative thought leadership on this issue in Singapore, and in Asia.
• No one but LifeWorkz presents a comprehensive suite of Multi-Generational solutions, with answers to the real-world challenges of managing across the generations.

Need we say more? Simply register by emailing us at Solutions@LifeWorkz.org!

Stop asking 'why', start learning 'how'!
Cheryl

Invite Cheryl Liew-Chng to speak at your organization!

Need a speaker for your company event? Need cutting-edge training for your staff? With the LifeWorkz team, there is never a dull moment! Contact LifeWorkz today!

All our programmes can be conducted in-house and customized for your organization.

Or you can send your staff for an open or 'public' programme when it is available.

Either way, email us today at Solutions@LifeWorkz.org to indicate your interest!