Next Gen News

Blogging on best practices to engage the next generation now.

Thank You for the Lessons You Taught Me in 2018

By Elisa Webb Hill It’s November, the perfect month to celebrate and be thankful for a year of change, surprise, and success. Today, the world’s population is over 7.6 billion, according to Worldometers, with countries like China, India, and the U.S. leading the way. This year XYZ University has had the pleasure of working with associations, companies, and organizations across the globe, and we want to thank all of you for your support. The world is incredibly and wonderfully diverse. Just think what we...

Read Post

by Elisa Webb Hill

There Is No Ignoring Millennials

By Jodie Swee As an expert on generational differences and how to overcome them, I am fascinated and a little dismayed at a trend I am currently witnessing in the workforce conversation. For years we here at XYZ University have been getting inquiries about how to “deal” with Millennials, but now organizations are turning their attention to Gen Z. Don’t get me wrong, we should extend our attention to this upcoming generation as the oldest of them turned 22 this year and...

Read Post

by Jodie Swee

Each Generation has Something to Learn and Something to Teach, and XYZ U is Grateful for These Lessons

At XYZ University, we value each generation. Each generation truly has something to learn and something to teach. In this season of Thanksgiving, we invite you to pause with us for a moment and reflect on the amazing value each generation brings to our associations, to the workforce, and to our society as a whole. Join us in valuing and thanking each generation. Thankful for Baby Boomers Since the start of their generation, Baby Boomers (born 1946 – 1964) have been changing the...

Read Post

by XYZ University - Save the Associations Blog Series

XYZ U eBook Shares 5 Turn-around Strategies for Associations to Grow into the Future

Membership associations represent millions of employees, industry interests in both government and education, and have the power to create real, meaningful change. However, 62% of associations are reporting flat or declining membership. XYZ U believes helping associations engage, compete, grow, and serve creates a better future for us all. As a result, the Save the Associations campaign was launched in 2018, profiling 12 associations doing exceptional work to grow into the future. We are thrilled to announce the release of “Save the...

Read Post

by XYZ University - Save the Associations Blog Series

XYZ University announces Australian tour, development of AuSAE learning campus

November 6, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE XYZ University announces Australian tour, development of AuSAE learning campus MINNEAPOLIS—XYZ University LLC has announced the launch of an alliance with the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE), which will kick off with a two city tour in December. Sarah Sladek, CEO of XYZ University, and Heather Thomton-Stockman, Director of Training and Research, will travel to Sydney and Melbourne in early December, presenting a series of workshops and executive briefings on the future of membership and work to...

Read Post

by XYZ University - Save the Associations Blog Series

Gen Z’s Political Impact

By Josh Miller The leading edge of Gen Z is 23 years old, meaning that this year is only the second time where any Gen Zs will be eligible to vote. For many Zs, it will be their first time. Political institutions, as well as organizations in the private and non-profit sector, must be able to look towards the future and be agile in adapting to the 21st century in order to engage Gen Z. This year’s midterms are an interesting microcosm...

Read Post

by Josh Miller

The Stats Don’t Lie

Scary Stats is baaaaack…in its 6th edition! 62% of associations are experiencing flat or declining membership. 7,000 U.S. retail stores closed in 2017. The construction industry is projected to lose 1.1 million workers to retirement by 2024. Only 60 companies from 1955’s Fortune 500 list are still in existence today. For the 6th year in a row, skilled trades positions are the hardest to fill globally. Businesses lose $75 billion annually due to poor customer service. Throughout October, XYZ University has been sharing scary stats haunting associations...

Read Post

by XYZ University - Save the Associations Blog Series

The Retail Apocalypse!

By Josh Miller All brick-and-mortar stores are about to go out of business! If you aren’t a billion-dollar tech company you won’t be around in 5 years! You all better go back to school and learn geology! LOL. If only. It seems as though brick-and-mortar staples have been dropping like flies since the start of the decade - Sports Authority, Toys “R” Us, and Claire’s Accessories, to name a few. The failures of these presumed immortal brands have caused the media to create the illusion...

Read Post

by Josh Miller

Extinction is Lurking in the Shadows for Digital Dinosaurs

By Elisa Webb Hill What do Kodak, Blockbuster, Compaq Computers and Enron all have in common? They were powerhouses of their industries, great places to work and admired companies of their time. Today, each of these companies are now out of business. Different factors led to each company’s downfall, from unethical practices to competition to technology. But there is another variable that played a role in the demise of each of these once-powerhouses, and it is a terrifying trend on the horizon...

Read Post

by Elisa Webb Hill

Waking The Dead: New life for the trade industry?

By Jodie Swee In ‘Scary Stats’ Volume 1, I wrote about the fact that Millennials are haunted by debt, the majority of it from student loans. It will change their landscape and have a significant impact on all of our lives and businesses for years to come. So what can we do to prevent future generations from going down the same path? It’s time to reinvest in the trade industry as a viable career option. In doing so we might just solve...

Read Post

by Jodie Swee