The article, Job Hunting In A Downturn, which appeared on Forbes.com on 03/04/08 points out that even though the economy is a bit sluggish, this is probably not going to affect Gen Y’s ability to land a job (of course, the question is always Will Gen Y be able to find the job that they want?)

Based on everything we are learning, it appears that the need for this young, tech savvy, entrepreneurial minded generation is going to only get stronger in the future. We will watch and see how all goes over the next few months.

Millennial Leaders

I had the opportunity to speak to the NAIW Southeastern Region Annual Convention this past Friday in Raleigh. It was really such a great group to speak to…200 women leaders in the insurance industry, many of whom are concerned about the growing need for young talent.

The topic of my presentation was on how to attract, retain and lead Generation Y. One of the best studies I have read recently on this topic is a study released by Deloitte: How Insurance Companies Can Beat the Talent Crisis.

In this report, Deloitte highlights their simple but powerful Develop, Deploy, Connect Model for recruitment. As we have been saying, Generation Y is highly inspired by ongoing learning and development and being able to engage in meaningful work, and this report really brings this concept to light.

Jaclyn Schiff is a journalist based in Washington, D.C. She is a full-time writer for a Web site that focuses on global health issues. She has published articles (often about issues of interest to Gen. Y) in a variety of print and online publications.  She recently mentioned our work in her Employee Evolution News.

Millennial Leaders

“The world has changed, and it’s not turning back.”
~DK of MediaSnackers

The “new media” — Internet, mobile technology, interactive television — has redefined mass communication. While older generations are trying to learn, adapt, and basically keep up with youth in this area, Gen Y’ers are taking to all these formats seamlessly. Blogging, podcasts, and vodcasts (video blogs) are supplanting traditional channels. The speed with which these messages are delivered feeds right into the Gen Y desire for instant gratification.

But with all these advances happening overnight, training in the technology has become a must. MediaSnackers, a UK based company dedicated to helping organizations work with young people to generate new strategies and operations in social media, has risen to the challenge, incorporating the “quick bits” learning and processing style of Gen Y.  The company works with young people to train them to use the new media, as well as instilling a sense of responsibility about the global impact of their efforts.

The company’s founder is as unique as the organization itself. DK — that’s his entire moniker — knows how Gen Y’ers learn, what they expect from technology, and how the new media unleashes their creativity. The colorful UK native works within the gap between the Gen Y’ers, who are embracing this technology at the speed of sound, and their confused managers, who are still stumbling with new media.

We had the privelege last year to interview DK of MediaSnackers for The Gen Y Project (Check out their impressive 2008 pro bono project here). DK has very generously opted to not have his chapter appear in our book but to be given away as a bonus chapter to help each of you in supporting Generation Y in their development in the future.

Download the bonus chapter featuring DK of MediaSnackers here.  This is a great chapter, so thank-you DK!

Listen to the interview with DK for The Gen Y Project:

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If you enjoyed this interview with DK, you are going to love the book Millennial Leaders.  Pick up a copy today through Amazon.com.

Political leaders want their votes. Businesses want their disposable income. Organizations want their talent. Generation Y represents over 72 million influencers, and they are a powerful force to be reckoned with. During this interview, published author and corporate writer, Sara Thomas, interviews executive coaches Carol Graser, Beth Bloomfield and Bea Fields about some of the most pressing questions companies are facing about how to best develop The Millennials into future leaders.

For more about host Sara Thomas, visit her blog at SarahThomas.com.

Listen to the audio here:
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10-year Forecast With the Institute for the Future Shows Entrepreneurs Poised to Thrive in any Industry, Anywhere

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Artisans, historically defined as skilled craftsmen who fashioned goods by hand, will re-emerge as an influential force in the coming decade. These next-gen artisans will craft their goods and shape the economy – through upswings and downturns – with an effect reaching far beyond their neighborhoods, or even their nations. They’ll work differently than their medieval counterparts, combining brain with brawn as advances in technology and the reaches of globalization give them greater opportunities to succeed.   Read the full press release here.

Gen Y prefers jobs based on task vs. time, especially cause they can work faster than older folks. Read more.

Managers should take this into account when the hire Gen Y.  As we noted in our book, it is more important for managers to gain alignment on the goal and let Gen Y figure out how they will solve the problem and how long it will take them. Goals should not be time-based.

Are you wrestling with your Gen Y employees in your workplace? If so, listen in as Gen Y Insider Bea Fields, author of Millennial Leaders, reveals the 3 hidden secrets to building a relationship with Gen Y in the workplace.

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Great article in Fast Company Magazine:

Retaining Younger Workers in the Workplace
By: Cam Marston

You’ve hired them. Now how can you keep them around?
(You may have to join the Fast Company website to get this article, but membership is free, and is worth it…great blogs and great articles always!)

Would you like to know how our business and corporate landscape will be shifting in the next 5-10 years as young talent (Gen X and Gen Y) moves into the workforce and into key leadership positions? If so, you don’t want to miss this call with Margaret Regan, Founder of the FutureWork Institute , shares her insights from a gobal study her company is conducting on workforce trends, diversity, talent shortages and generational values. Led by Y-Talk host, Bea Fields  and Guest Co-Hosts Beth Bloomfield and Carol Graser of Next Gen Leaders.

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