 
Generational Expert to Speak at Glass Expo
Midwest: Will Offer Proven Methods of How to Communicate Effectively
with All Generations
February 5, 2010
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Marilyn Kennedy |
Are you a "boomer" frustrated with how to communicate
with your millennial employees? Or maybe it's the other way around?
You may think these are just annoyances that are just part of the
workplace, but that's not the case, according to Marilyn Moats Kennedy
of Career Strategies and author of Office Politics: Seizing Power/Wielding
Clout. Kennedy will serve as the keynote speaker on March 16 during
Glass Expo Midwest being held in Schaumburg, Ill.
This session will educate attendees regarding the five age groups
in the workplace, their traditional values and their differing views
on the role of managers, employer/employee loyalty, etc. Learn ways
of communicating that deliver the same message in ways that each
group understands and can respond. And be sure to capitalize on
this chance to help cultivate the employees you have by understanding
what motivates them. glassBYTEs.com/AGRR magazine caught
up with Kennedy to gain a glimpse into what she will share with
attendees.
glassBYTEs: Why is it is so important to understand the
differences among employees in the workplace?
Kennedy: Because if you don't understand them people unnecessarily
irritate each other. With a little explanation, they can work together
very well. This is even more important now because we're asking
people to do so much more, so why not pave the way for smooth working
relationships?
glassBYTEs: How can this information help managers improve
employee relations and their businesses?
Kennedy: What we want is for people to do their best work
as quickly as possible. They will work better together and will
stop with the petty stuff that makes people crazy. Here's an example:
If you say to a younger person, "Can you do this task if it's
not too much trouble?," they will think they have a choice
and may say no (though a boomer would never dream of doing this).
You can't hint with the younger people; you have to be direct. If
you do this, their feelings won't be hurt-they'll appreciate you
being direct.
Many people provide inadequate explanations. Think about the fact
that two-thirds of college graduates have never worked for money.
If you knew these people have never worked for money before, you
would have a whole different way of talking to them. You would fill
in the background for them because you know they don't have a clue.
What I'm trying to get people to see is there are no bad guys-there
is no good versus evil. What there is is a series of misunderstandings
that can be prevented.
glassBYTEs: What do you usually hear from people who leave
your seminars? How does it help them in their businesses?
Kennedy: They always say, "I never knew that."
That's why I'm teaching this stuff. I work with companies who don't
know how to communicate cross-generationally. I try to help them
understand the values of employees of all ages. It's not profound
stuff, but these issues are especially a problem for older managers
who think younger employees are rebellious. This is not a rebellious
generation: that's not the point and it's important to know that.
Moats' seminar is included in your registration for Glass Expo
Midwest, which will be held March 16-17 at the Renaissance
Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill.
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HERE for more information about Glass Expo Midwest.
CLICK
HERE to register for the event.
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