COMMUNICATION AND GENERATION Y

What is generation y?
Generation Y, also known as the Millennial Generation (or Millennials), Generation Next, Net Generation, Echo Boomers, describes the demographic cohort following Generation X. There are no precise dates for when the Millennial generation starts and ends, and commentators have used birth dates ranging somewhere from the mid-1970s to the mid 1990s, with some sources including as late as the early 2000's. Characteristics of the generation vary by region, depending on social and economic conditions. However, it is generally marked by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies. In most parts of the world its upbringing was marked by an increase in a neoliberal approach to politics and economics. Characteristics also include: Culturally liberal Skeptical in religious views Family centric Achievement oriented Team oriented Attention craving Tech-savvy

Importance of communication with generation y

Generation Y is highly wary of the job market. This is possibly because they grew up amid corporate scandals and downsizing and saw their parents suffer because of difficult work situations. They're also especially wary of large corporations, and dont believe they will remain with one company for life. As a result, they research organizations extremely carefully online, by visiting many different websites and blogs, which may be quite critical and inaccurate; and also by researching employees through personal contacts or via the internet to discover what its really like to work at the company. They also look for value alignments before they affiliate with a company.

How to communicate with GenY?

1. Understanding Value Individual values: They expect the company to value the individual and to communicate honestly with them, and they will examine the leadership and character of the company before joining. Wider values: Other issues, such as environmental, peace and labour issues are also taken into consideration. 2. Using technology to communicate personality Nexters establish close virtual friendships through mediums such as social networking. Through this technology they've grown up accustomed to hearing not only what people are doing but how they're thinking, and they will expect the same type of communication with their executives and supervisors. 3. Face-to-face communication Face-to-face communication will always remain important in the workplace and Nexters embrace diversity and team working, so informal networking opportunities will be appreciated by them. However, an emphasis on social networking puts younger people at a face-to-face disadvantage.

Unfortunately, nearly all of their communication tools involve the exchange of written words alone. At least phones, cellular and otherwise, allow the transmission of tone of voice, pauses and the like. But even these clues are absent in the text-dependent world. Users insert smileyfaces into emails, but they don't see each others' actual faces. They read comments on Facebook, but they don't "read" each others' posture, hand gestures, eye movements, shifts in personal space and other nonverbal and expressivebehaviours. Hence, it is very important for them to learn good communication skills, required body language to enhance their face-to-face communication. (include cross-cultural impact) 4. Do not limit Nexters have grown up with technology, using it as part of their everyday life. Many employers worry that allowing their staff to use appliances such as instant messaging is distracting, but as this generation has a strong ability to multitask, employers shouldnt shut these tools off. Nexters will probably feel frustrated and anxious, so it's better to give them the tools they are accustomed to. This generation enjoys being able to maintain these types of social contact so employers shouldnt close down these channels.

5 key elements to be kept communicating with generation Y

1. Feedback

in

mind

while

They thrive on immediate feedback, so communicators should keep them up to speed on their own and the companys progress. 2. Idealistic Trying to understand the real nature, interpretative, not tied to observable objects and deductive logic.

3. Confidence level Unexpectedly a little low due to extreme competition and todays challenging business world. Type of communication required is motivating and positive.

4. Importance of time Family orientation , other activities. 5. Alignment of work with values

Communicating with Gen Y employees

Information in small chunks Gen Y employees prefer to absorb information in small chunks. Concise updates with further information available via hyperlink suit this generation well. Consider scrolling news feeds, short articles in electronic staff magazines and short video updates. Visual Aids Gen Y employees, as the biggest users of sites like YouTube, Flickr and engage well with images and video. Turn corporate screensavers into interactive bill boards and bring internal communications messages to life by communicating visually. Stock photography sites provide a wide range of images to convey any type of message for as little as $1. Humour and Irony Gen Y employees typically love the use of humour and irony. Instant rewards The Generation Y employee typically wants instant gratification.

 Cynical of corporate spin Avoid polished formal internal communications with little interaction and provide a more unvarnished message with lots of opportunities for questions, discussion and interaction. Sometimes, not having all the answers ready but saying, well get back to you on this can make internal communications seem more genuine (as long as you actually follow up). Need to be consulted and involved Generation Y employees want to add value from day one. They like to be consulted and involved. Two way communication is critical for Gen Y employees who will be turned off by top down, one way communications. Provide opportunities for dialog, for example a CEO blog needs to have a tone that is genuine and open, where questions and comments are welcomed and responded to. Value ideas Create an open environment where Gen Y employees feel like their ideas are valued. Regular feedback It is pointless to gather ideas and feedback unless Generation Y employees see how the information is being used and making a difference. Barriers Ordering Telling the youth what he/she should do. For example, Stop complaining that your Spanish teacher gave you a failing grade. Go into school tomorrow and talk to her about it. Threatening Telling a youth to do something, or else . . . - suggesting theres only one acceptable course of action. For example, If you dont start studying more, Im not going to work with you on your school work any more. Preaching Telling youth how to act or behave - usually has a moralistic, this is the right thing to do tone. For example, You shouldnt talk about other

people like that. Avoiding Trying to avoid problems or uncomfortable situations in the hope that they may go away on their own. For example, Oh, lets not talk about that. Its so depressing! Lets try to find something happy to think about. Pacifying Trying to make a youth feel better without really addressing the problem. For example: if a youth says, I feel bad because I was really mean to my little sister! You reply, Oh, dont worry about it, I did the same thing many times. Even though you may be sincere, you havent helped the youth resolve the issue. Lecturing Giving your youth unsolicited advise. For example, If you want to get ahead in life you must really go to college. You should really work harder in school so that you can get into college.

Modes of communication Cell phone Sms, mms. Bbm Social networking sites Blogs Newspapers, magazines, tv , digital sinage Landline Instant messaging solutions Conferencing Emails

Australian study

Modes of communication in Gen Y

3.5

Frequency of use in a week

3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 Face to Face Landline

Cellphone
SMS Email

Purpose of Communication

The Millennial Generation (or Gen Y), like other generations, has been shaped by the events, leaders, developments and trends of its time.[62] The rise of instant communication technologies made possible through use of the internet, such as email, texting, and IM and new media used through websites like YouTube and social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, may explain the Millennials' reputation for being somewhat peer-oriented due to easier facilitation of communication through technology.[63] Expression and acceptance has been highly important to this generation. In well-developed nations, several cohorts of Generation Y members have found comfort in online games such as MMORPGs and virtual worlds like World of Warcraft and Second Life.[64] Flash mobbing, internet memes, and online communities have given some of the more expressive Generation Y members acceptance, while online pen pals have given the more socially timid individuals acceptance as well.

Communication with rural Youth In India, rural youth constitute over two-and-half times of the size of urban youth. They form a vital human resource. The major sources of communication of rural youth were personal localite sources followed by mass media and personal cosmopolite sources. More than 90 per cent of the respondents reported that friends and neighbours formed their regular sources of information. Progressive farmers, relatives and village leaders were also found to be good information sources of rural youth, which most of them consulted regularly and some occasionally. The personal cosmopolite channels or extension contact of the rural youth was very less. The veterinary stockman was found to be the major source of communication Market/private sources formed the next important information source under this category with 16 per cent of the respondents having regular contact and 28 per cent having occasional contact. Village Level Workers and Bank personnel ranked third among rural youth for receiving information about farming. More than half of the respondents were found to view television regularly. 38 per cent and 44 per cent of rural youth listened to All India Radio (AIR) programmes regularly and occasionally respectively. A good number of the respondents also consulted the newspaper for information. It was observed that farmers fair / cattle fair also contributed as good sources of farm information to rural youth. Farm demonstrations, extension materials (leaflets, folders, posters etc.) and farm journals were consulted by rural youth.

Conclusion Difference Age Conditions Experiences Influences Peers Pragmatism Preference

 Values Relational connection Trusted guidance Bigger meaning How to communicate with them in a better way Real Raw Relevant Relational A final word