Thursday, 09 February 2012

Employers told to enlist Gen Y in fighting downturn

Mon, 9 Mar 2009

Employers have been urged to get Generation Y involved in fighting this recession.

Emma Reynolds co-founder of Gen Y consultancy e3 Unlimited, told Recruiter that while times may be tough for some right now we are not seeing any drastic changes in the values that have been formed over the last 20 years.

“Gen Y still want to be deeply involved, receive instant feedback and feel they are making a difference. They are also seeing their Gen X managers doing a good impression of ‘rabbits in headlights’ as they enter a recession, and Baby Boomers trying to solve today’s challenges with yesterday’s solutions. This is causing some disengagement with this generation who has only ever known economic growth and prosperity. 

“They need to be totally transparent in the ‘state of affairs’ within the company. Gen Y thrive on information. They are used to accessing what they want, when they want whenever they want, keeping them in the dark is not an option.

“We are seeing some amazing results within organisations that are embracing the different approach that Gen Y take to solving problems and creating Gen Y boards to discuss real business issues.  Go on, throw them the challenge, you may be surprised at the results.”

Readers' comments (2)

  • Anonymous | Tue, 10 Mar 2009 2:26 pm

    Oh please - Generation Y? Those that have never worked through a recession, never experienced a downturn, been cossetted by helicoper parents? And who want to look at what their employers can offer them rather than the other way round? So Gen X do a good impression of rabbits in headlights and baby boomers apply 'yesterday's solutions' do they? Have you never heard of age discrimination? Perhaps if a few of 'yesterday's solutions' has been applied in the investment banking sector, the army of Gen Y bankers, who played with our money like they were in some sort of casino dreaming up 'terribly clever' and ever more complex financial products, would have been shown up for what they really were. Wake up and smell the coffee, Ms Reynolds – and grow up.

    (Aged 47 and running a successful business with yesterday's solutions – because they work.)

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  • Imogen Hesp | Wed, 11 Mar 2009 5:06 pm

    As a Gen Y myself I totally disagree with your comments and think this is a great article highlighting the need for openness and honesty throughout the ranks in times of economic troubles. Generation Y are shown (on the most part) to be resilient, good at coping with change and reacting to new circumstances and will tackle situations head on. They are also said to be full of bright ideas too. It stands to reason then that they may be coping with the recession slightly better than their older counterparts and they may think about solutions to problems differently as well. I’m not being discriminatory by saying this. It’s a well known generalisation and if bringing people who think, react and cope with situations in this way can help businesses to fight back in this chilly economic climate, then why not get the message out there.

    Imogen Hesp
    Graduates Yorkshire

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