Who invented work/life balance?

We all know the Boomers are known for their fierce commitment to their jobs. And one of the few nice things to be repeatedly written about Gen Xers is their commitment to a work/life balance, family, and friends. However, I saw a post recently by a Millenial who says that it's actually her generation who really has taken a stand for balance.

I'm not sure what to think. I hate to be one of those angry Gen Xers, but come on, isn't it the Gen X dads who have really taken advantage of paternity leave (including my own husband whose career probably took a hit because of it)? Isn't it the Gen X moms who made very deliberate, thoughtful decision regarding full-time or part-time jobs - or staying home full time? Isn't it the Gen Xers who took the grief in the late 90s and early 21st Century for their unwillingness to give all to their employer?

It all makes me long for the good old days when only the Boomers didn't understand us.

Shocker: Gen Y wants to telecommute

A recent article posted to Informationweek.com says the members of Gen Y want to telecommute, look for information by searching Google rather than looking in print publications, and prefer to email and text message as a means of communicating at work. Interesting information - but not news.

Anyone who has visited a Starbucks in the last five years knows that Millenials are always wired - whether by cell phone or computer. It's unlikely we will be able to convince them to make a 30 minute commute so that they can get to an office to have access a computer. Shoot, you can't even convince of that (yes, I telecommute).

Backlash: Gen Y disputes Naomi Wolf's opinion

Loved this recent editorial in the Washington Post by a very smart Gen Y student (Rob Anderson).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/27/AR2007112702221.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

He is upset by how author Naomi Wolf is attacking his generation and charging that young people are not politically active enough. Anderson is right. Wolf is wrong.

What's Gen Y thinking?

A promising new column in the Cincinnati Enquirer has begun and features analysis of trends in the workforce from a Gen Y perspective.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071031/BIZ03/710310308/1001/BIZ

Who is out of touch?

A recent post to the Ypulse blog discusses the pros and cons of accessing networking sites such as FaceBook while at work:

http://ypulse.com/archives/2007/07/myspacing_faceb.php

Last week I spoke with a group of association executives. There was a lot of frustration over the work habits of Generation Y. The group, made up mostly of Gen Xers and Boomers, said it was a challenge to get Gen Y workers to do what was expected. The fact of the matter is, Gen Y is less likely to have the same assumptions as older workers and they often do need things spelled out for them (i.e. casual Friday means something a lot different to Gen Y and if you don't want them wearing flip flops to work you need to let them know).

But here's the question - who really is out of touch? My theory is that Gen Y is leading the workforce changes. However, they still are very young. For Gen Y, I believe the bravado of being 25 will be replaced by the humility of being 35. And yet, they will still have the technical savvy they do now. Gen Y will make a huge contribution once they do what all of us had to - grow up a little.

Generation Y confusion

Are you trying to figure out what it will take to reach a Gen Y audience? Viral marketing may be the answer. Find out more in this article from Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/marketing/market_research/tough_customers_how_to_reach_gen_y.mspx

Kids these days...

Because members of Generation Y have grown up with the internet, they are the most global of generations - and that can be a challenge for marketers.

If you don't understand Gen Y, you don't understand the future. For more information, check out this story from Businessweek.com.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_27/b4041401.htm?campaign_id=nws_insdr_jun23&link_position=link1