This article is part of the point-counterpoint series matching up Dudley B. Dawson vs. James Hamilton. The two will be debating four topics over August and early September. This is the second in the series of debates. Read more about the debates.
It seems no matter where you look, there is another article about Gen Y or Millennials. (Example 1 | Example 2 | Or this piece of garbage)
It's impossible to avoid the consistent onslaught of Gen Y vs. Baby Boomer opinion articles. Because of this, James Hamilton and Dudley B. Dawson thought it would be perfect fit. Perfect because the internet, particularly blogging, is not about new topics. It's about taking topics and regurgitating something that someone already said somewhere but no one knows where that somewhere is and no one had any idea that someone already said it.
So...Is Gen Y a distraction at the workplace and negatively impacting businesses?
Dudley B. Dawson's argument:
The term Gen Y is nothing more than a group of stereotypes to describe a specific age group. Like Gen X and Baby Boomer, it means absolutely nothing other than to describe when someone was born. Beyond that, it is worthless. In fact, one could argue that a Chinese placemat is more accurate than the stereotypes placed upon Gen Y.
> Continue reading Dudley B. Dawson's argument
James Hamilton's argument:
There’s no doubt that Generation Y will fundamentally change corporate America. It’s already started. Managing Gen Y is the hot topic among consultants, Human Resource executives and talent management professionals. For a Baby Boomer, like me, this Gen Y impact equates to…the apocalypse.
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Comments
I think an equally interesting offshoot to this article is how corporate america uses/abuses these attributes and perceived demographics. An insurance company in Richmond actually taught a course on the different attributes of these different age groups. They had an internal document pushing the need to get more younger people into the workforce there and ended the presentation saying that managers needed to "be different". This is the type of dynamic that is destroying the country - not different age groups !
I think this is the same discussion that went on about 15 years ago regarding Gen-X. It occurs every time a new generation enters the workforce. Of course Gen-Y will have an impact and bring change. Boomers did. Gen-Xers did. The question should not be will they bring change and alter the landscape as we know it. The question should be will we use these talents and latent tendencies for the advancement of business, or use them for our selfish purposes.
Are you kidding me???? I have two words for you people . . BERNARD MADDOFF . . . .IS HE GEN Y?? Corporate america is currently IN the sewere . . who has been running GM for hte past 20 years BOOOMERS!!! Think about it people . .
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