KNOW THE TIMES, KNOW THE PEOPLE
The generation that came into this world from about 1980 to 2000 is called the millennials. Before 2015 expires, the millennials will exceed the baby boomers in numbers. In spite of how powerful an effect the baby boomers have had and will continue to have on our society, the millennials will be the “new baby boomers.” Therefore, the same intense study that has been applied to the baby boomers is needed with the millennials.
Simultaneously, we are currently in an American workplace never seen in the past. For the first time, we have five distinct generations working side by side. That has created and will continue to create exciting and important opportunities.
Truly, we are living in interesting times. Demographics has never been more important. People talk about knowing the times but the times are made by the people. Therefore, if you want to know the times, then you must know the people.
Personally, professionally, and corporately, if we fail to know the people, then we do our organizations and ourselves a grave disservice. How can we meet people’s needs without knowing them? How can we prepare for the future when we lack knowledge of the present? And how can we respond best to the present when we forget about our past? Demographics and trends give us the opportunity to know the people and to gain knowledge about our past, present, and future.
If you want to know the times, then know the people who create those times. If you and your organization do that, then you will maximize your future success.
