Next Gen News

Blogging on best practices to engage the next generation now.

The Question Every Leader Should Ask

By Sarah Sladek - It’s happening again. Eight years ago I authored a blog on what was being referred to as “the big global crack up”. In nations throughout the world – Spain, China, Germany, Britain, and the United States, to name a few – economies were unable to generate enough jobs to absorb their young people, creating generations of disaffected, unemployed, or underemployed for which the world had little to offer. The youth revolted. Protests erupted throughout the world. Notably, thousands of students in...

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by Sarah Sladek

Why the Generational Topic is More Controversial — and More Relevant — Than Ever

By Sarah Sladek There’s been considerable debate in recent weeks on the topic of generations. The ‘OK, Boomer’ campaign reached a fever-pitch globally. The phenomenon started when an unidentified Boomer man posted a rant on TikTok against young people. Thousands of teens and 20-somethings on TikTok responded, posting videos and memes and even creating ‘Ok, Boomer’ merchandise. The campaign has been referred to as a “mass retaliation" by Gen Z to the political, economic, and environmental choices made by decision-makers which have negatively impacted this...

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by Sarah Sladek

Terrifying Tidbits… #ScaryStats2019

Scary Stats is baaaaack… in its 7th edition! Workforce - 70% of the workforce is disengaged - The majority of workers are disengaged -- miserable, putting forth minimum effort, complaining, unattached, willing to leave for a slightly better offer. Insurance - 60 years old is the average age of insurance agents. One quarter of insurance workforce retired between 2015 and 2018. Retirements, turnover up. Many insurers trying to hire but struggling to fill demand, stay competitive. Construction - 1.1 million construction...

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by Sarah Sladek

Building the Workforce: Sarah Sladek and XYZ University Announce Training Partnership With Build California

Every day, the shortage in the skilled trades becomes more acute. The trades lost nearly a million skilled workers during the recession that have yet to be replaced, and as older workers retire, the crunch will get even tighter. Combined with the changes in education that eliminated trades training from schools, we have experienced the perfect storm that threatens to leave the skilled trades industry with a severe worker shortage in the years to come. The need to engage young talent...

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by Sarah Sladek

Partnering for a Better Tomorrow

By Heather Thomton-Stockman Recently I had the pleasure of presenting a series of Generations@Work trainings for a local construction company. With each training I was reminded of just how significant the Skilled Trades Industry is to our daily lives. Without the Skilled Trades, we wouldn’t have roofs over our heads, hospitals for medical care, clean water to drink, safe roads to travel on, and the list goes on. Each time I have the privilege to speak with a group of Skilled Trades professionals, I am always in awe at the pride expressed in their profession....

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by XYZ University

Workplace Etiquette: The haunting truth of ‘ghosting’

By Sarah Sladek, XYZ University CEO Workplace etiquette. Turns out, that’s a pretty controversial subject right now. Recently I presented at a conference for healthcare executives and heard many complaints about the youngest generations in the workforce and their disregard for etiquette. Topping the list of complaints: quitting via text, not showing up for work, and calling the boss by his first name. Is the etiquette divide the indication of a generation gap or a social shift? Turns out, it’s both. Across the United States,...

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by Sarah Sladek

The Future is Bright

By Josh Miller “If you take associations and put them in the middle of everything going on in society, I’d say that the association industry is way ahead of the curve. We are ready to embrace young people, and I think that Gen Z will find that associations are welcoming and inspiring places for them to work and give their talents.” - John Graham, CEO of the American Society of Association Executives This year was my first as Director of Gen Z...

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by Josh Miller

Flip Your Perspective to Achieve Greater Success

Reporting live from Australia, Sarah Sladek invites associations to flip their perspectives to reverse membership decline and disengagement. This five-part video series explores key challenges associations are facing and provides tips to help them successfully transition and 'flip' their perspectives. Part 1 - Flip Your Perspective - Australia 2018 https://vimeo.com/304752547 Part 2 - Flip Your Perspective - Plan for the Future https://vimeo.com/306193597 Part 3 - Flip Your Perspective - Membership Value https://vimeo.com/306193806 Part 4 - Flip Your Perspective - Commit to Change https://vimeo.com/306194044 Part 5 - Flip Your Perspective - Leaders of...

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by Sarah Sladek

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...

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by XYZ University

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...

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by XYZ University