Engaging Multi-Generational Workers
The multi-generational workforce is here, which means this is an exciting time to be in business.
Often, it’s difficult to see limitless treasure amassing before our eyes, but right now, it’s happening and well-documented. What is this treasure, and where can you find it?
It’s your multi-generational workforce!
Right now, five generations, approximately 167 million people in 2024, are working side-by-side to solve problems and learn from one another. It’s an amazing moment, which, if handled right, could create untold innovation and strong communities for decades to come.
Who is in the multi-generational workforce of 2024?
The current cohort includes people between the ages of 16 and 75, and is composed of:
- Traditionalists/Silent Generation
- Baby boomers
- Generation X
- Millennials/Generation Y
- Generation Z
Why does this matter?
With ages and experiences covering every year, every movement, every challenge from the 1940s through today, this cohort is a wealth of knowledge. The potential to combine innovation with wisdom and learned experience has never existed in America’s history.
How do we leverage it?
The short answer is internal communications. But it’s obviously more complex than that.
Many challenges run parallel with this incredible resource. Many of them stem from personal preferences and learning styles. Technology cannot (and arguably should not) address all of the hurdles, but that does not mean those hurdles are insurmountable.
Furthermore, there are significant benefits for your customers and clients when they can work with an individual from their generation. Similar learning styles, common language, conversation pace (speaking too fast or too slow), and lack of judgment are just a few.
Are you interested in benefiting from this vast resource pool and creating better engagement? Let’s walk through a few ideas:
The human touch means better (and more efficient) customer service
- 30% of people would rather do their taxes
- 28% would rather go to the dentist
- 25% would rather go to the DMV
- 24% would rather shave their head
- 22% would rather spend a night in jail.
If nothing else, this tells us we can do a lot to improve the quality of that engagement.
Utilizing your multi-generational workforce, you are more likely to begin the experience with a sense of belonging and commonality. This is especially useful for those who support technical assistance, for the novice and the expert alike.
Multi-generational means multi-learning styles
Your internal communications plan can be a huge help here! Focus on a layered approach to your communications and your knowledge repository or single source of truth/intranet.
Perform a channel assessment to learn which distribution channels are preferred and effective, and then create your campaigns on those platforms using different types of content.
Pay attention to the channels and create content that compliments each delivery system to ensure you reach as many people as possible in a way that connects to their communications needs. If you share your message via email or text-heavy format, focus on brevity. Create content using headers, bullet points, and summaries so people can get what they need quickly and easily.
Good “old tech” still works
Remember, just because we have new cool tools like AI, that doesn’t replace all of the ‘golden oldies.’
Tools provide a way to work around a problem, but they do not solve problems themselves. They need to be ‘right fit’ and used in the right way, which means using them strategically.
Though AI can help write draft documents or provide analytical data, but don’t get shiny object syndrome and forego the human touch. Messaging must receive a thorough review at a minimum to prevent sharing misinformation. Ideally, your messages will also contain enough of the human element that resonates with each audience segment (yes, segment your messaging for your multi-generational workforce participants).
And honestly, nothing beats a good old-fashioned focus group for activities like channel assessments. You need more than data to tell you why people do or don’t use specific platforms.
A layered internal communications strategy
Post channel assessment, you will know the most effective ways to reach your audiences: specific generations, deskless vs. at desk, new hires and established workers, etc.
When you develop your internal communications strategy, focus on the layers. That means, for every campaign, you identify a root message and find several ways to say it again, complementing each channel you use for distribution.
Multimedia and videos, text, internal podcasting, infographics, and the good old phone call are ways you can enhance your communication to reach audiences with different learning styles.
Your message will look and sound different in email than in a short video clip or podcast soundbite. Your newsletter message will be more like a promo statement and your single source of truth/intranet will resemble a blog or news post.
Reverse mentorship
Facilitate professional development relationships where different generations can benefit from each other. When pairing people together, consider what they can teach each other.
Does one person have institutional knowledge that the other doesn’t? Does someone else have digital and tech skills they can pass along to make it easier to function in the environment? How about the ability to teach or train? When shared, these are priceless skills to foster within your workforce.
Encourage partnerships and develop a culture where these activities are the norm.
“Healthy Aging” programs awareness
As the population of workers ages, so does the understanding of their needs. (When I say “their,” I really mean “our”). Women specifically have challenges previously unrecognized, and excellent resources are now available that provide awareness, insight, ideas, and solutions.
For insight and guidance, my favorite resource is Kate Milne, Founder of Cardea Health Consulting. Her team is the best I’ve come across, and her resources (blog, podcast, LinkedIn) are top-notch.
Staff Spotlight
A Staff Spotlight on your single source of truth/intranet and in your newsletter is an excellent way to create organizational awareness and enhance collaboration.
When done right, these interviews provide insight into what types of work, specialty skills, interests, and opportunities individuals have to offer to the team. Team members get a feel for who they can reach out to and learn more about the cultural makeup of the organization. It’s a win for all concerned.
The bottom line:
Your multi-generational workforce is an asset that, when leveraged correctly, can pay huge dividends. Take the time to nurture these cohorts because this is not a fad; it’s the next big thing in business and a long-term trend.
FOR MORE INFORMATION...
Contact us today at 202.415.6987 or info@L12Services.com if you want to enhance collaboration and engagement. Together, we can create an environment that drives success through effective communication.
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