Expert helps Business Leaders Decode How the Generations Create ROI in the Workplace

NEW YORK, Nov. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent edition of CBS-TV's 60 Minutes had it right: "The Millennials are Coming!" But the fact is, Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are already here; and companies wish to bolster their ROI in today's competitive, global environment, need to know how these generations behave and interact.

"Decoding" generational differences is the key to staying competitive in today's world of business, according to generational expert Ann Fishman, President of New Orleans-based Generational Targeted Marketing Corporation (www.annfishman.com). As a consultant to Fortune 100 companies and public and private institutions, Fishman advocates generational understanding as a "Rosetta stone" for developing marketing, human resources and business strategies.

Based on Fishman's research into the habits and values of the working generations - Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y (the so-called "Millennials") -, each generation brings a distinctive set of traits, habits and characteristics. These are important as a key to understanding workplace dynamics as well as purchasing decisions and product development.

Fishman said, "CBS's informative program on the Millennials pointed in the right direction, but only scratched the surface of this modern phenomenon: four distinct generations, all operating at the same time on all sides of American business, as customers and as workers. We are in the midst of a monumental generational transition ... away from the values, attitudes and lifestyles of Baby Boomers to those of the younger generations. American business has not seen a generational transition of this magnitude since the onslaught of the 78 million+ Baby Boomer Generation."

Fishman concluded, "Because generational factors help determine the tastes, characteristics and habits of American workers, companies need a blueprint for navigating generational complexities. This blueprint can be used to understand how to make today's companies more profitable, and the workplace more efficient and harmonious."

Fishman's generational blueprint begins with Baby Boomers who were born between 1943 and 1960. During their watch, Baby Boomers ignored corporate responsibility, weakened traditional business ethics and altered the generational contract of mentoring younger workers. This famous "ME" generation almost always put individual advancement ahead of sound human resources practices.

Fishman believes the key to the future lies not only in understanding Gen Y (the Millennials), but in also in making better use of the yet untapped contributions of Generation X (ages 27 to 47), most of whom have been ignored or undervalued by American business. Generation X, a practical, results- oriented generation, often found themselves "downsized" or locked out of corporate America by previous generations. This generational deficit places American business, especially in the field of HR, at a major disadvantage because Xers' skills would have successfully bridged the gap between Baby Boomers and Generation Y.

The next generation, Generation Y, born between 1982 and 2000, is the "Millennial Generation" featured in the 60 Minutes program. They are smart, fast and confident - but at the same time, they lack the practical sales, marketing and workplace skills that characterize the more street-savvy Gen X. As Sixty Minutes noted, the so-called "special" Gen Y employee expects to be rewarded for "just showing up" - the result of their generational upbringing and being valued for participation over achievement, which was reinforced during their formative years by the importance placed on team sports, team teaching and team grading.

Fishman believes understanding one generation is not enough. The key is understanding and building on the strengths of a four-generational workforce to ensure corporate America's leadership in the global economy.

About Ann Fishman and Generational Targeted-Marketing

More information on Ann Fishman's generational expertise can be found at www.annfishman.com.

Fishman's company, Generational-Targeted Marketing Corp. (GTM), is a specialized marketing firm providing insight into consumer preferences, buying habits and trends affecting the American consumer. As GTM's president, Fishman has served as a consultant to numerous corporations, government agencies and non-profit organizations on generational issues and also serves as a member of the Adjunct Faculty at New York University. For further information on GTM, call 1-504-813-7890.

Contact: Michael G. Frenkel
MFC PR
(212) 808-6556
Michael@mfcpr.com

Source: Ann Fishman and Generational Targeted-Marketing

CONTACT: Michael G. Frenkel of MFC PR for Ann Fishman and Generational
Targeted-Marketing, +1-212-808-6556, Michael@mfcpr.com

Web site:

http://www.annfishman.com/

-------
Profile: labor-news