Defines the differences between the Silent Generation, the Baby Boomer, and Generations X, Y, and Z (i) and how to promote effective communication between groups.

1. Generations &
Communication

2. Generations

3. What is a generation?
A group of generally contemporaneous individuals
regarded as having common cultural or social
characteristics and attitudes.
Generations
Same?

4. ∗ A saeculum is a length of time roughly equal to the
potential lifetime of a person or the equivalent of the
complete renewal of a human population.
Generations

5. ∗ The Silent Generation - 1927 and 1945
∗ The Baby Boomers - 1946 and 1964
∗ Generation X – 1965 and 1980
∗ Generation Y (Millenials) – 1980 and 1999 (more/less)
∗ Generation Z (iGen) – 2000 on…
Generations

6. ∗ Born between 1927 and 1945, Traditionalists (also
known as the Silent Generation) are in their 60s, 70s
and 80s. About 95% of Traditionalists are retired from
the workforce. Those who are not retired are at or
near retirement age and many are working reduced
hours.
The Silent Generation

7. ∗ The Silent Generation Characteristics
∗ Hardworking
∗ Loyal
∗ Cherish their jobs
∗ One employer their entire work life
∗ Great team players
∗ Not tech savy
∗ Perfer face-to-face interaction
∗ Video-conferencing and web-based technology into the
workplace.
The Silent Generation

8. ∗ Baby Boomers
∗ With almost 80,000,000 (USA) born between 1946
and 1964, the Baby Boomer generation is
predominately in their 50s and 60s. They are well-
established in their careers and hold positions of
power and authority.
Baby Boomers

9. ∗ Characteristics
∗ Loyal
∗ Work-centric
∗ Cynical
∗ Equate salaries, high billables and long hours with success
∗ Commitment to the workplace
∗ Value face time in the office and may not welcome work
flexibility or work/life balance trends
∗ High levels of responsibility, perks, praise and challenges
will motivate this generation
Baby Boomers

10. ∗ Famous baby boomers
∗ Carlos Santana Ricardo Darin Bill Clinton
Baby Boomers

11. ∗ Let's see how that breaks
down:
per year: 4,000,000
per day (4.0 mil / 365):
10,958
per hour (10.6 k / 24): 456
per minute (456 / 60): 7.1
Baby Boomers

12. Generation X

13. ∗ Generation X encompasses the 44
to 50 million Americans born
between 1965 and 1980. This
generation marks the period of
birth decline after the baby boom
and is significantly smaller than the
previous and succeeding
generations. Members of
Generation X are largely in their
30’s and early 40’s.
Generation X

14. ∗ Generation X Characteristics
∗ After witnessing the burnout or layoff of their hardworking parents,
Generation X entered the workplace with different work ethic and
culture than previous generations
∗ Break rules for the sake of it
∗ Ambitious and hardworking
∗ Value work/life balance
∗ Dislikes rigid work requirements.
∗ Value the freedom to set their own hours. Flexible work schedules
and work-from-home options
∗ Entrepreneurial spirit. This generation thrives on diversity, challenge,
responsibility and creative input
Generation X

15. ∗ Generation X Characteristics
∗ A hands-off attitude
∗ Value freedom and autonomy
∗ Prefer to work alone rather than in teams
∗ Dislike “meetings about meetings” and don’t want
face time
∗ Flexible hours and challenging assignments will
motivate this generation
Generation X

16. Generation Y

17. Generation Y

18. ∗ Tech-Savvy: Generation Y
grew up with technology and
rely on it to perform their jobs
better.
∗ Armed with BlackBerrys,
laptops, cellphones and other
gadgets, Generation Y is
plugged-in 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.
Generation Y

19. ∗ This generation prefers to
communicate through e-mail
and text messaging rather than
face-to-face contact and prefers
webinars and online technology
to traditional lecture-based
presentations.
Generation Y

20. ∗ Family-Centric: willing to
trade high pay for fewer
billable hours, flexible
schedules, and a better
work/life balance.
∗ Different vision of
workplace expectations
and prioritize family over
work.
Generation Y

21. ∗ Achievement-Oriented:
∗ Not afraid to quit a job
∗ Will have had 10 to 14 jobs by the time they retire
∗ Generation Y is confident, ambitious and
achievement-oriented. They have high expectations
of their employers, seek out new challenges and are
not afraid to question authority. Generation Y wants
meaningful work and a solid learning curve
Generation Y

22. ∗ Team-Oriented: As children,
Generation Y participated in team
sports, multiplayer videogames,
and other group activities. They
value teamwork and seek the
input and affirmation of others.
Part of a no-person-left-behind
generation, Generation Y is loyal,
committed and wants to be
included and involved.
Generation Y

23. Attention-Craving: Generation Y
craves attention in the forms of
feedback and guidance. They
appreciate being kept in the
loop and seek frequent praise
and reassurance. Generation Y
may benefit greatly from
mentors who can help guide and
develop their young careers.
Generation Y

24. Generation Y

25. Baby Boomers Generation X Generation Y
78 million 43 million 73 million
Diversity as a cause Accept Diversity Celebrate Diversity
Idealistic Pragmatic, cynical Optimistic, realistic
Mass movement Self-reliant, individuals Self-inventive
Conform to the rules Reject rules Rewrite the rules
Killer job Killer life Killer lifestyle
Became institutions Mistrust institutions Irrelevance of
institutions
TV PC Internet
Have tech. Use tech. Assume tech
Task-focused Multitask Multitask fast
Generation to Generation

26. Lifers?

27. Stats

28. ∗ marketing campaign for a new product: As a team, you will
have to develop a marketing campaign for a new product.
You must first think of a name for your product. You’ll have to
appeal to generation Y and the Baby Boomers. Develop two
different marketing strategies. Be prepared to explain you
technique.
∗ Products:
∗ A fan An air-conditioner
∗ A language course A credit card
∗ A broom A cell phone
∗ Yerba mate A cell phone application
Production

29. Generations