Chapter 3, Problem 1CA

Summary Introduction

To determine:

A method to resolve a conflict between a Baby Boomer manager who worries about the privacy and the productivity aspects of social networking and a Generation Y employee who wants to use these tools on the job.

Introduction:

Baby Boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is a huge part of the workforce. Most Baby Boomers are now in mid and upper-level administrative positions. Generation Y (millennials), born between 1981 and 1995, are the youngest generation currently in the workforce. They are Tech savvy and known for their entrepreneurial instincts. Their ease with web and social networking is disconcerting for managers, considering information leaks and productivity.

Answer to Problem 1CA

Solution:

Understanding diversity (Ex: different values and perceptions between generations), Inter-generational communication to address the pros and cons of social networking and web tools, creating a learning process for both parties (Ex: familiarizing managers to web technology)

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

Baby Boomer manager worries about the privacy and the productivity aspects of social networking, while the Generation Y employee wants to use these tools causing a conflict.

The way adults view the world is determined by the social and technological trends they experienced while growing up. Therefore, different generations in the workforce have different perspectives. To resolve a conflict between two generations, one has to learn the way they want to be treated and understand their values. For example, the privacy of information and productivity of employees are important values for Baby Boomers, thus, making millennials to understand it, is important to resolve the conflict, vice versa. By addressing the pros and cons, they can have a productive discussion (without micromanagement) about the tools, since social networking and web tools are beneficial to a company. Different generations have different things to contribute and Baby Boomers and Millennials have things to learn from each other.