Reactions to "TOM BROKAW REPORTS: BOOMER$"

On March 4, CNBC premiered a two-hour documentary called, "TOM BROKAW REPORTS: BOOMER$." While it was marketed as a landmark telling of “history’s wealthiest and most influential generation,” many felt it missed the mark. Here are some of the most common sentiments recently expressed in the blogosphere:

• The fact that the Boomer generation is the richest in history (3/4 of Fortune 500 CEOs are Boomers) contradicts the economic realities facing most Boomers during this current recession
• Brokaw’s claim that Boomers haven’t realized the changes they promised to the world negates the progress they’ve made through civil, women’s and environmental movements
• While the recession’s impact on this cohort is significant, it pales in comparison to the emotional and economic burdens facing Boomers as they care for their own aging parents

To summarize any generation in a 2-hour segment is overly ambitious, but the flurry of passionate commentary the show generated highlights the power Boomers have in our society. The Baby Boomer generation will continue to drive economic, social, political and workplace agendas for years to come. It will be important for members of every generation to have an informed opinion.

BOOMER$ will be airing several more times this month. For more information visit http://classic.cnbc.com/id/34840866/.

Workforce Trends for 2010

The Great Recession. The Reset Decade. Call it what you like, employers and employees in the U.S. are ready for a change. While the economy shows modest signs of improvement, job growth continues to stagnate. Predictions point to a slow overall job recovery peppered with a demand for highly skilled, flexible labor. As a result, companies are making strategic investments this year in HR initiatives that will help them stay competitive and reposition themselves for growth. Here are some workforce trends we see for 2010.

• Expansion of flexible work arrangements, including telecommuting, shorter work weeks and reduced work schedules
• Investment in workforce analytic tools to ensure better data and decision making on top performers and high potential employees
• Targeted skill development for managers on coaching and performance feedback
• Proliferation of social networking technology for collaboration and training
• Spread of career pathing initiatives as recruitment and retention tools for highly skills workers

The Interchange Group is helping organizations rethink workforce models to be more flexible and respond to the diverse needs of a multi-generational labor market. What can you do in 2010 to be an agent of change?

Intergenerational Daycare

In the United States, children and elderly people increasingly live in age-segregated worlds. In response to this trend over 300 daycare centers now offer an intergenerational component. ONE Generation in Van Nuys, California is considered a national role model for providing services for both seniors and children. Their intergenerational approach to aging and child development has made them a leader in building programs that enhance the lives of both generations.

At the Interchange Group, intergenerational relationships are a core value and drive our work in organizations. As our holiday gift to our clients and community, we have chosen to donate funds to ONE Generation to help provide critical services and life enriching programs for children and seniors. We invite you to learn more about the intergenerational care facilities in your own community!

Happy Holidays from the Interchange Group Team!

Generational Differences in Volunteerism: Recruitment & Retention Strategies for Nonprofits

On November 19, the Interchange Group will be hosting its popular online seminar, "Generational Differences in Volunteerism - Recruitment & Retention Strategies for Nonprofits." The 45-minute session is designed to equip nonprofit executives and boards with new insight and techniques for recruiting, retaining and engaging top quality board members and volunteers. Key learning includes:

• Tap into the unique values and motivations for volunteering that each generation possesses
• Optimize the skills, experience and resources of older generations to increase participation and effectiveness
• Harness the energy of younger generations and the power of social online networking in nonprofit fundraising and advocacy
• Identify the best communication channels and messages for each generation to maximize recruitment impact and to increase volunteer engagement

Nonprofit executive directors, board members and development professionals are especially encouraged to attend!

Details and registration

Attracting Younger Workers to Public Service

The U.S. federal government is estimated to lose 600,000 of its aging workers to retirement and thousands more of its top mid-career performers to private sector jobs over the next 5 years. America needs a capable and sophisticated government, and its current system of recruiting, compensating, training and managing people is poorly aligned with the expectations of younger workers. To address the needs of a new workforce and upgrade its existing one, the government must:

• Create a simple, transparent process for applying for civil service jobs
  
• Develop onboarding programs for entry level and mid-career employees
• Revamp the classification and pay structure to compete with the private sector
• Invest in robust leadership development and succession planning programs
• Hire qualified human capital experts to champion 21^st century recruitment and talent management efforts

Without a systematic way of recruiting and keeping younger talent, the federal government will be unable to staff mission critical positions with qualified, competent personnel. While out of touch, it is not the only U.S. employer with antiquated human capital processes. Most private and nonprofit organizations report being ill-equipped to handle the upcoming demographic shifts in the labor market. How prepared are you?

Want more insight into managing the different generations in your workplace? Contact us at www.interchange-group.com or join us for our November 19 webinar, Generational Differences in Volunteerism.

Mapping China's Urban Middle Class

In early 2009, the number of Internet users in China passed 300 million. What's more, the number of Chinese blogs is estimated in the tens of millions. This makes the Chinese blogosphere the largest available source of information on the growing Chinese middle class. Our strategic partner and international think tank and consulting firm, Kairos Future, is starting an exciting project to map the Chinese middle class and the rapidly growing number of online Chinese.

Through a combination of nethnographic blog analysis and quantitative surveys Kairos Future will be able to break down China's urban middle class across different demographic groups and regions and analyze its views on a variety of issues, including work, consumption, family, housing, education, technology, and lifestyle. The results of this exclusive research will be critical for any company looking to understand where one of the most important consumer and talent markets in the world is heading. To become a corporate research partner with Kairos Future or for more information on this project and others, please contact a member of our Interchange Group team.

To register for this week's webinar, "Future Workforce: Millennials in a Global Context," featuring research from Kairos Future's Global Youth Study, click here.

Oct 22 Webinar: Future Workforce – Millennials in Global Context

Information about generational differences in America abounds, but today's talent marketplace is global. As our workforce ages, U.S. and multinational companies alike will be faced with the challenge of recruiting and retaining younger employees with very different attitudes toward work and life. Understanding how American Millennials (born 1981-2000) compare with their international peers will have a profound impact on the way employers plan for and manage their talent in the next decade.

Based on exclusive research in 17 countries from Kairos Future, this 1-hour webinar will present critical findings about American Millennials in a global context and offer workforce planning and talent management strategies to create a competitive advantage for the future. Learning outcomes include:

• Education and competence level comparisons of U.S. Millennials with their international counterparts
• Contrasts in career orientation and entrepreneurialism among young workers around the world
• National differences in attitudes toward job security and willingness to work abroad
• Strategic considerations for workforce planning professionals
• Talent management priorities to balance current economic realities with future labor needs

* This webinar is approved for 1 hour of PHR/SPHR strategic management recertification credit.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER