This is a presentation that I delivered at IFMA's Facilities Fusion conference in Boston on March 24, 2011. It focuses on the five generations now active in the workforce and explores not only how to manage generational differences, but also the idea that each generation has unique workplace preferences.

1. Managing a
Multigenerational Workforce
James P. Ware, PhD
Executive Director
The Future of Work…unlimited

2. Meet Our Presenter:
James P. Ware, Ph.D.
Executive Director, The Future of Work…unlimited 2011
Executive Producer, Work Design Collaborative 2002-2010
Vice President, The Concours Group 1998-2001
Research Director, Univ. of California Berkeley 1996-1998
Managing Principal, Unisys Information Systems 1993-1996
...
Assistant Professor, Harvard Business School 1976-1981
© Copyright 2011 by The Future of Work…unlimited. All rights reserved

3. A Close Encounter
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4. Today’s Agenda
What do we know Why does
about the workforce generational
today? diversity matter?
A conversation
about managing
diversity in the
workforce
How can we take What does all this
advantage of all that mean for the future
diversity? of work?
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5. “Demographics
is destiny”
- Ken Dychtwald
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6. What Do We Know About the Workforce?
“Baby
Boom”
Births per 1000
population
(1946-1964)
U.S. Birth Rates, 1909 – 2004
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7. What Do We Know About the Workforce?
The Elephant Moving Through the Snake
Male Female Male Female
1990 2020
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8. What Do We Know About the Workforce?
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9. What Do We Know About the Workforce?
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10. Five Generations @ Work Millennials
Generation
“Y”
Generation
Baby “X”
Boomers
The Silent 1991-
Generation
1977 - 1990
1965 - 1976
1946 - 1964
1930 -1945
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11. An Important Caveat . . .
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12. The “Silent Generation”
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13. The Baby Boomers
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14. Generation “X”
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15. Gen “Y”
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16. The Millennials
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17. What Challenges Lie Ahead?
1 Percent
Change
2010-2020
Replacing
the
Boomers
Age Group
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18. Massive Workforce Shortages Are Looming
3 percent
Average annual U.S.
economic growth rate (since
1948)
New workers needed by 2030
58 million
at 3% growth per year
Estimated U.S. population
23 million
workforce growth by 2030
35 million Possible shortfall
Source: Ryan Johnson, WorldatWork
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© Copyright 2011 by The Future of Work…unlimited. All rights reserved

19. What Challenges Lie Ahead?
Channeling energy and
creativity
2
Maintaining engagement;
leveraging talent
Match
Stepping up to management
Management and leadership responsibilities
Style to
Maintaining engagement and
Generational tapping experience
Patterns
Capturing experiential knowledge;
encouraging mentorship
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20. What Challenges Lie Ahead?
3
Managing
Cross-
Generational
Conflict
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21. What Challenges Lie Ahead?
4
Accommodating
Differing
Workplace
Preferences
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22. What Challenges Lie Ahead?
“We”
Cyberspace
5 Team
Conference
Rooms
Rooms
Supporting Owned Shared
Multiple
Workplaces
Touchdown
Cubicles Spaces
Physical
Space
“I”
Source: David Lathrop, Steelcase
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23. What Challenges Lie Ahead?
Flexible
6
Collaborate Create
(clan) (adhocracy)
Linking People
and Place to Internal External
Culture Control Compete
(hierarchy) (market)
Source: Kim Cameron, University of Michigan Focused
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24. In Summary . . .
1 Recruit to replace Boomers
2 Match management style to generational patterns
3 Manage cross-generational conflict
4 Accommodate different workplace needs
5 Support multiple workplaces
6 Link people and place to culture
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© Copyright 2011 by The Future of Work…unlimited. All rights reserved

25. For Further Information
Dr. James Ware
Executive Director
The Future of Work…unlimited
Berkeley, California
+1 510 558 1434 voice
+1 510 558 1431 fax
+1 510 206 8147 mobile
jim@thefutureofwork.net
Website: http://www.thefutureofwork.net
Blog: http://www.thefutureofwork.net/blog
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thefutureofwork
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© Copyright 2011 by The Future of Work…unlimited. All rights reserved