On Tuesday, November 12th, IABC Los Angeles partnered with AMA Los Angeles to host a multigenerational workplace communications panel.
Moderated by IABC LA’s VP of student relations, Kyle Kearney; the panel included Stefan Pollack, author, “Disrupted: From Gen Y to IGen” , Sean McGill, Sales Director: Ustream , Craig Rosenkranz, Public Policy advisor & millennial trend guru Katelyn O’Shaughnessy, founder of mobile trip app “Tripscope.”
“For the first time in history, workplace demographics span 4 generations, meaning 20 year old new hires find themselves working side by side with colleagues 50 years older.” – Trinet HR service.
As work paradigms shift, a communications gap may emerge between generations. Our panelists discussed millennial work ethics, economic challenges and communications trends across baby boomers, Gen X & Gen Y; referred to as “millennials.”
Millennial travel expert & CEO/founder Katelyn O’Shaughnessy described the employment landscape as “entrepreneurial.”
Having exhausted traditional employment hunting tactics, O’Shaughnessy cut her own path, creating demand for positions that weren’t officially open. The approach eventually worked. O’Shaughnessy also launched a travel app, Tripscope ,for which she recently won Social Media Week’s $100k StartUp demo competition.
“If circumstances don’t exist, you need to create them,” said O’Shaughnessy.
Online video guru Ustream Sales Director Sean McGill agreed with O’Shaughnessy, likening today’s millennial work approach to the 2000/2001 dot com bubble.
The Pollack PR Marketing Group President and author IGen, Stefan Pollack pointing out that Millennials may be quick to skip jobs for a salary bump. O’Shaughnessy disagreed, citing college debt loads and a tight job market.
The panel discussed workplace nuances such as professional clothing attire, office vs. home work hours and corporate hierarchy. O’Shaughnessy said she might be 30 minutes late, but stays 2 hours after work.
Regardless of whether you’re a Boomer or Gen X, Pollack said their employees are expected to pull their weight equally.
“Can millennials be drivers, or do they need to be pulled along?” Live tweeted IABC guest Richard Romero.
Pollack and O’Shaughnessy disagreed about Boomers texting and emailing clients at 1am if necessary. Pollack made it clear that iGen doesn’t have a lock on this 24/7 practice.
Former public policy advisor Craig Rosenkranz described Government millennial work life as a different ball game. Positioning towards his UCLA Anderson School marketing MBA, Rosenkranz looks forward to the private sector’s opportunities & challenges.
On Goverment workers’ multigenerational standards, a couple audience members spoke up, describing baby boomer culture vs. Gen X and Gen Y expectations.
The panel agreed with Pollack’s observation, outlined in his book, IGen; Disrupted, that marketers and employers need to gain millennials’ trust by listening.
For more event details, follow IABC Los Angeles on facebook and Twitter.
Special thanks, IABCLA volunteers, panelists, board of directors, AMA Los Angeles & Chipotle Burritos.