With the emergence of the internet generation into the workplace, employers are being bombarded with individuals that are accustomed to rapid results. If you are still in doubt, just think of any pondering question and then time how long it takes you to get the answer on Google. This will be the average time span and unfortunately attention span of your internet generation employee. They will want to their day to flow at that speed and yes, their paycheck increments as well. How do we keep them engaged in the workplace?
Employers have to look at different management styles and strategies to get these workers to "be all they can be". Some employers will say that they are lazy or unmotivated but the truth is that they have spent a lifetime getting quick results and the hum drum of the typical workplace will be excruciatingly painful! They will not be willing to wait years for retirements and promotions to find their way in life and the short term plan will rule the day.
One thing that is evident of these workers is that they value their free time and will be less willing to put in those long days and overtime hours at the office. I think that in this facet lies our opportunity. Just like the internet we have to start looking at the office as a replication of the internet. The net is virtual and so our offices will follow suit. This means that the workplace will be guided by timelines and not time clocks.
The office will be project driven and everyone will therefore be assigned tasks and set about completing them. Teams will communicate by webcam and Voice over technology. This way, you can be at the beach and your 10 am meeting at the same time. You can hit the gym at 8 am and complete that report at 12 midnight when you work best. This is the reality of the 21st Century workforce and employers had better start adjusting or they will fail.
We as employers have to figure out ways to constantly capitalize on the new workforce’s creativity and their passion for new and changing technology. This of course will be a monumental challenge but if we can incorporate the technological skills of the young with the managerial and implementation skills that years of experience bring we will have a workforce second to none. Just my two cents. Where’s yours?
2 comments:
Ok first of all, I have already spent my two cents during the recent bailout wave. I literally have no money left to spare even two cents!:)
On the lighter note...great article Albert! I totally agree with you. This 21st century office, without boundaries, can also help organizations save more by tapping into a more flex-workforce. This flexibility has allowed today's businesses to tap into human resources all over the world. Mobility of the factors of production especially labor has never been so fluid leading to the birth and success of new breed of corporations.
I call it the "Power of the Geeks"! as it has finally conquered the senses of the "Cool Guy" and now everyone feels little bit proud to be a certain geek. Transforming a "Workplace" to a "Workspace", these powerful gadgety solutions are just a fingertip away from us in making us a Geek! Is it bad to be a "Geek" when you are saving money and accomplishing more and getting more out of your life? Here is my begging of your two cents since I am left with nothing after current economic crises and respective bailouts. Do you have any left? - Syed
January 14,
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