It (and author and Gen-Y expert Jason Ryan Dorsey) have been a valuable resource for recent articles I’ve written for INSTORE, so I’m also writing a “Cheat Sheet,” about it, Instore’s version of a 10-point book review.
It’s such a practical book – every chapter is overflowing with how-to tips -- that it’s going to be a challenge to narrow it down to just 10 tips.
So I’ll share a few now:
Gen Y, Dorsey observes, is entering the workforce later than previous generations with more post-secondary education than previous generations. This means, your new 20-something employee may not have had a chance to develop real life work skills. That means, he writes, your Gen Y employee may be able to pass a test on HOW to sell yet have no actual experience doing it. So be prepared to develop your young talent and make sure they feel immediately that they are making important contributions.
Start a Brainstorm Wall, which can be physical or an online Wiki that everyone has access to. Write down specific questions you are facing or strategic decisions you are contemplating. Employees are asked to write their best answers to the question on the wall and sign their names. The Brainstorm Wall is a simple, low-tech way to automatically multiply the number of people trying to solve your business problems.
Encourage Gen Y employees to read work-related books and continue their education. First compile a list of 50 books you believe would add value to your employees’ education. Offer to pay employees $50 for every book read if they write a three-page report that details what they learned from the book as well as their plan for implementing the books’ message int eh workplace.
Give all gen Y employees you want to retain an individualized Career Map within their first 90 months at work, showing them clearly one or more paths they can take to advance in your company and specific skills they need to make it each step of the way.
