Generations in the Workplace
Managing a Changing Workforce
Jane O’Connor, TJP Solutions
As we move into 2010, a new decade in the 21st century, it is important to remember key issues when addressing your workforce. We hope this information will provide some insight and offer resources to facilitate your operations.
Workforce - When thinking about your workforce, keep in mind that you often interact with many different facets. Of course there are the employees of your organization, however as a non-profit organization, you are also intricately involved with volunteers, donors and Board Members. Together these build the fabric of your organization and it is the diversity of those elements - all working together for a common cause - that make your organization so unique.
Approach this as a positive attribute of your organization and it can become a fundamental building block. This can provide reference when working with your boards, doing presentations or conducting fund raising.
Organizational Morale - Your employees, your volunteers, your donors and your Board Members are all a major resource. Organizational morale is a key factor during these tough economic times. Understand that personal motivators and drivers have a direct impact on their dedication to your organization.
Managing a Changing Workforce - We often hear the word diversity and it is used in different ways. When looking at your organization’s diversity, please remember this includes many different factors. There are generational issues, demographics, personal traits and technology that impact your organization.
Generational Issues
There are many ways to identify different generations and we present four categories with some overview and insight. (See Chart)
Just looking at these four basic categories, one can see some differences and how the events of their lives can impact their outlook. But it is also important to draw from the experiences of each generation.
Demographics
Demographics include many different factors. One of course is male/female. There are many other areas to consider. The prime location where a person is born, or spends the majority of their life growing up, helps shape how they view various situations. Also, individuals core beliefs and their core values impact how they address issues.
Personal Traits are also a key component in how people act and respond to others and situations. An Introvert is often more quite and thoughtful while an Extrovert is more outgoing and involves others in the thought process. A Sensor will look at the facts before them in black and white while an Intuitive will think outside the box. Some are Thinkers that are driven by their thoughts while others are Feelers who are driven more by their feelings. Some will plan events in detail while others will be more flexible and driven by the events that surround them. These are just four sets of aspects of personality traits that impact a person’s motivation.
The Technological Background of an individual also impacts how they function and relate to others. Those that are fully proficient on computers often use cell phones, blackberries, I-phones and I-pods for many of their daily functions. This includes how they connect with co-workers, family and friends, how they listen to music, take and share pictures and even read books. Your organization can often learn from these individuals to stay abreast of the ever evolving graphics operations and internet marketing and networking.
Successful Workplace
The main key to a successful workforce is having the Right Person in the Right Place. Giving the Right Job to the Right Team. Getting the Right Facts to the Right People. All while understanding their drivers and motivators to build a solid foundation and a Functioning Team. Communication within the workplace is an excellent way to obtain these objectives, but be careful of Death by Meeting as this can bring your work productivity to a standstill. Always remember that the motivators and drivers of your employees, volunteers, donors and Board members have a substantial impact on the outcomes of your organization.
Have your employees, volunteers and Board Members share their experiences. Their common desire to further the goals of your organization can build important bonds that strengthen the very fabric of your organization.
Important Reminders:
Workforce Planning - As the economy rebounds and you need additional staff, consider contract employees. This provides an employee for a specific project or task. Often these employees are self employed and this simplifies your payroll taxes and health benefit costs. Remember to increase staffing gradually and consider internship opportunities. Internships are a great way for someone to learn about your organization and show their qualifications with the potential to turn into a full time position as the economy changes. As interns prove their potential bring them on board as full time employees as openings occur. This will also promote a positive employee morale base by signifying your dedication to promote employees within your organization.
Recruitment and Selection - If you find your organization needs to hire an executive position, you can quickly become overwhelmed with an extensive response to a job positing. To ensure that those that apply are truly interested and dedicated to your organization, consider including some very specific application questions regarding your organization and the specific duties of the position. By only considering those candidates that fully answer the supplementary questions, this helps narrow your applicant field, save internal review time and better rank your applicants for interview selection.
Emergency Preparedness - As we move closer to Hurricane Season begin to plan for the emergency operations of your organization. Having a well defined Continuity of Operations Plan to address how you will continue your organization’s important operational functions in the event of any kind of impact is a necessity for every organization.
Quick Note:
Simple Smile - Take time to say a simple Thank You or Great Job to employees and co-workers. A simple positive phrase has the potential to unlock a reciprocal smile and unleash a good feeling that can quickly become contagious.
We hope this article provided your organization with some thoughts and ideas on how to improve the productivity of your organization and build a successful workplace including your employees, volunteers, donors and Board Members. While their backgrounds, generations, demographics and personal traits may vary, they all share the common goal of your organization’s Mission, Vision and Values.
If you are interested in receiving updates on these types of issues, please send us an email at joconnor@tjpsolutions.net and we will add your name to our update list. In addition, our website contains even more information on these topics and we are available to provide additional information, training and classes on any of these topics. Please visit our website at www.tjpsolutions.net for more information.
Please let us know if we can assist your organization in any way.
Jane O’Connor, TJP Solutions
(941) 915-5358
Email: joconnor@tjpsolutions.net
Website: www.tjpsolutions.net