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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristin-heist/the-unexpected-sustainabi_b_5863072.html

The Unexpected Sustainability of Gen Y

Posted: 09/22/2014 4:58 pm EDT Updated: 11/22/2014 5:59 am

Gen Y has been accused of being selfish, lazy and bad recyclers--hardly poster children of an environmentally sustainable future. However, enabled by technology and in reaction to their financial challenges, Gen Y is finding all sorts of ways to do things differently-and in many cases more sustainably. This is good news for companies who are looking for ways to deliver consumer-delighting experiences that are also good for the environment. It's an opportunity to reach beyond standard "use less packaging" and "provide e-billing" approaches. Gen Y, for a variety of reasons, is giving us permission to shake things up. Here's how businesses can take them up on their offer.
Focus on experiences - Forget about the thing
We've heard over and over again that Gen Y values experiences over ownership - a clear win for sustainable design because it allows us to dematerialize and revisit product service systems. To really put this idea to work, though, it's important to understand why this generation values experiences and why the consumption ofthings is not an aspiration.

Millennials have come of age in a world of social media, where whatever you do can be captured, curated and shared instantly. In some ways, Instagramming has become the new version of keeping up with the Joneses. As a result, stories are the new status items.

Many of them have also witnessed the downfall of their parents' more material-focused aspirations, so-when the large suburban house full of stuff suddenly became unaffordable and threatened to jeopardize the promise of a comfortable retirement. Instead, Gen Y is focusing on non-material aspirations: shared experiences (e.g. dinner parties) and achievements (e.g. travel and education) that they continue to benefit from, can share, and don't need physical space to store.

This experience-focused mindset makes them the perfect access over ownership consumer. They aren't going to ask you why they should have to "give up" their car or their washing machine. They don't want the stuff--they just want the benefit associated with it, especially if they can save money along the way.

For designers and companies looking to create new offerings, our challenge is to stop asking "what should we make?" and to start asking "how can we deliver that benefit?" Rent the Runway and Netflix asked it. Imagine how it might change the world of appliances (How can we make it easier for people to have clean clothes when they need them?) or leisure (How can we make this destination experience accessible, without travel?). What kinds of new experiences and offerings could these questions help us create?

Provide quality and authenticity
An often overlooked trait of Gen Y is that amidst their financial challenges, they are willing to pay more for certain items. Rationally, quality items are seen as cheaper because they last-meaning you only have to buy one. We saw this play out on a recent apparel project when Gen Y shoppers projected the years of use they would get out of a pair of shoes to help them choose the most durable, and therefore low-cost, investment.

Still, financial savings is not the only reason this generation is looking to hold onto items for the long-term. Repairs, alterations, dents and scratches are all signs of stories behind objects. This worn down pair of boots? They brought me to the top of Kilamanjaro. This Eames chair? I repaired it myself after finding it in a dumpster.

And yes, Millennials are willing to put in work to create, maintain, alter and repair items. One of the benefits of having the internet at your fingertips is that you can find information on how to do pretty much anything -from how to fix your own iPhone to how to pickle your own vegetables. But Gen Y isn't DIYing just because they can. They are looking for a sense of connection and meaning through an understanding of how things are made, what they are made of, and who made them. They are looking for authenticity.

This desire for quality and authenticity has the potential to stretch beyond designer furniture and hand crafted bike seats, to impact all sorts of consumer products. Because Gen Y wants to hold onto their investments for the long-term, there are opportunities to create and profit from new brand touch points focused on maintenance, modification and repair. Instead of designing for obsolescence, companies could sell DIY repair kits, offer classes or provide upgradeable modular solutions.

Because Gen Y is willing to put in some work, there are also opportunities around self-assembly in categories ranging from beauty, to technology, to food and beverage. We are seeing this play out in prepared meals right now. Instead of choosing the classically convenient frozen meals, Gen Y is choosing with services like Plated andBlue Apron. They are willing to do some of the prep work, and in return get confidence in the quality of the ingredients, the ability to customize to their tastes and the benefit of a streamlined cooking experience.

Help them harness the power of their groups
Perhaps the least leveraged environmental attribute of Gen Y is their faith in the power of the collective. We've seen consumers of all generations become discouraged by their seeming lack of ability, as individuals, to make a difference. But, Gen Y is even more aware of environmental impacts than previous generations. They grew up with more access to information about the environment. This has led to even stronger feelings of ambiguity around their power to create change. They tend to feel overwhelmed and frustrated by the challenge. One comment we heard over and over again when discussing recyclable products with Gen Y was, "Is this really making a difference?"

This is surprising because Gen Y knows about the power of the crowd and as a result. They have virtual friend networks that number in the hundreds and thousands. And they take advantage of those networks in all sorts of ways--to seek guidance andrecommendations, to get out a message to finance new ideas, even to pay strangers' medical bills.

There is a huge opportunity for companies and environmental groups to show Gen Y the power of their crowd and help them feel the momentum behind their choices. How many trees are still standing due to the collective use of air dryers vs paper towels? How much plastic has collectively been kept of out landfills and oceans thanks to coffee drinkers who have chosen reusable mugs or consumers who have chosen to refill their spray bottles instead of buy new ones? This data exists, but isn't often visible to individuals. Brands have the ability to show how they are committed to making a difference with Gen Y by making these small actions possible, and celebrating collective wins.

Do something different - now
From an innovation perspective, one of the great things about Gen Y is that they have lowered the barrier for new ideas, products and services. And if they had a good experience, they touted in their own social groups - both online and off.

Gen Y feels an imperative to do things differently--for financial and social reasons. Instead of trying to market the same old products and services to this new generation, we should be celebrating this opportunity to rethink assumptions around consumer preferences for ownership, definitions of convenience, openness to investing in the long-term and willingness to do work to maintain and repair. The outcome? Products and services that work for Gen Y and for the environment.

For more, watch why consumers buy sustainable products and services in this video:

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The Unexpected Sustainability of Gen Y
Posted: 09/22/2014 4:58 pm EDT Updated: 11/22/2014 5:59 am EST

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Gen Y has been accused of being selfish, lazy and bad recyclers--hardly poster children of an environmentally sustainable future. However, enabled by technology and in reaction to their financial challenges, Gen Y is finding all sorts of ways to do things differently-and in many cases more sustainably. This is good news for companies who are looking for ways to deliver consumer-delighting experiences that are also good for the environment. It's an opportunity to reach beyond standard "use less packaging" and "provide e-billing" approaches. Gen Y, for a variety of reasons, is giving us permission to shake things up. Here's how businesses can take them up on their offer.

Focus on experiences - Forget about the thing
We've heard over and over again that Gen Y values experiences over ownership - a clear win for sustainable design because it allows us to dematerialize and revisit product service systems. To really put this idea to work, though, it's important to understand why this generation values experiences and why the consumption ofthings is not an aspiration.

Millennials have come of age in a world of social media, where whatever you do can be captured, curated and shared instantly. In some ways, Instagramming has become the new version of keeping up with the Joneses. As a result, stories are the new status items.

Many of them have also witnessed the downfall of their parents' more material-focused aspirations, so-when the large suburban house full of stuff suddenly became unaffordable and threatened to jeopardize the promise of a comfortable retirement. Instead, Gen Y is focusing on non-material aspirations: shared experiences (e.g. dinner parties) and achievements (e.g. travel and education) that they continue to benefit from, can share, and don't need physical space to store.

This experience-focused mindset makes them the perfect access over ownership consumer. They aren't going to ask you why they should have to "give up" their car or their washing machine. They don't want the stuff--they just want the benefit associated with it, especially if they can save money along the way.

For designers and companies looking to create new offerings, our challenge is to stop asking "what should we make?" and to start asking "how can we deliver that benefit?" Rent the Runway and Netflix asked it. Imagine how it might change the world of appliances (How can we make it easier for people to have clean clothes when they need them?) or leisure (How can we make this destination experience accessible, without travel?). What kinds of new experiences and offerings could these questions help us create?

Provide quality and authenticity
An often overlooked trait of Gen Y is that amidst their financial challenges, they are willing to pay more for certain items. Rationally, quality items are seen as cheaper because they last-meaning you only have to buy one. We saw this play out on a recent apparel project when Gen Y shoppers projected the years of use they would get out of a pair of shoes to help them choose the most durable, and therefore low-cost, investment.

Still, financial savings is not the only reason this generation is looking to hold onto items for the long-term. Repairs, alterations, dents and scratches are all signs of stories behind objects. This worn down pair of boots? They brought me to the top of Kilamanjaro. This Eames chair? I repaired it myself after finding it in a dumpster.

And yes, Millennials are willing to put in work to create, maintain, alter and repair items. One of the benefits of having the internet at your fingertips is that you can find information on how to do pretty much anything -from how to fix your own iPhone to how to pickle your own vegetables. But Gen Y isn't DIYing just because they can. They are looking for a sense of connection and meaning through an understanding of how things are made, what they are made of, and who made them. They are looking for authenticity.

This desire for quality and authenticity has the potential to stretch beyond designer furniture and hand crafted bike seats, to impact all sorts of consumer products. Because Gen Y wants to hold onto their investments for the long-term, there are opportunities to create and profit from new brand touch points focused on maintenance, modification and repair. Instead of designing for obsolescence, companies could sell DIY repair kits, offer classes or provide upgradeable modular solutions.

Because Gen Y is willing to put in some work, there are also opportunities around self-assembly in categories ranging from beauty, to technology, to food and beverage. We are seeing this play out in prepared meals right now. Instead of choosing the classically convenient frozen meals, Gen Y is choosing with services like Plated andBlue Apron. They are willing to do some of the prep work, and in return get confidence in the quality of the ingredients, the ability to customize to their tastes and the benefit of a streamlined cooking experience.

Help them harness the power of their groups
Perhaps the least leveraged environmental attribute of Gen Y is their faith in the power of the collective. We've seen consumers of all generations become discouraged by their seeming lack of ability, as individuals, to make a difference. But, Gen Y is even more aware of environmental impacts than previous generations. They grew up with more access to information about the environment. This has led to even stronger feelings of ambiguity around their power to create change. They tend to feel overwhelmed and frustrated by the challenge. One comment we heard over and over again when discussing recyclable products with Gen Y was, "Is this really making a difference?"

This is surprising because Gen Y knows about the power of the crowd and as a result. They have virtual friend networks that number in the hundreds and thousands. And they take advantage of those networks in all sorts of ways--to seek guidance andrecommendations, to get out a message to finance new ideas, even to pay strangers' medical bills.

There is a huge opportunity for companies and environmental groups to show Gen Y the power of their crowd and help them feel the momentum behind their choices. How many trees are still standing due to the collective use of air dryers vs paper towels? How much plastic has collectively been kept of out landfills and oceans thanks to coffee drinkers who have chosen reusable mugs or consumers who have chosen to refill their spray bottles instead of buy new ones? This data exists, but isn't often visible to individuals. Brands have the ability to show how they are committed to making a difference with Gen Y by making these small actions possible, and celebrating collective wins.

Do something different - now
From an innovation perspective, one of the great things about Gen Y is that they have lowered the barrier for new ideas, products and services. And if they had a good experience, they touted in their own social groups - both online and off.

Gen Y feels an imperative to do things differently--for financial and social reasons. Instead of trying to market the same old products and services to this new generation, we should be celebrating this opportunity to rethink assumptions around consumer preferences for ownership, definitions of convenience, openness to investing in the long-term and willingness to do work to maintain and repair. The outcome? Products and services that work for Gen Y and for the environment.

For more, watch why consumers buy sustainable products and services in this video:

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How To Motivate Generation Y Employees - Employee Rewards

Generation Y, Millennials, The YouTube Generation - whatever you want to call them, these are the 20-somethings who are entering the workforce and climbing the corporate ladder, becoming the lifeblood of the major companies in the United States. The 70 million members of Generation Y are the fastest growing segment of the workforce. And love them or hate them, as an increasingly prime portion of your employee base, you need to know how to motivate Generation Y, how to communicate, connect, and inspire.

Generation Y isn't like Generation X. They don't value the same things, and they aren't driven by the same forces. So if you want to get the most out of your Generation Y employees, you need to shift your strategies.

1. Technology

Generation Y understands technology. They don't just love it, they depend on it and they are enmeshed in it. Generation Y uses technology for work, play, and socialization. It is extremely frustrating for Generation Y when they don't have the technology they need to do their job in the most efficient manner possible. My husband is an Apple addict. He can do things on his MacBook that most Gen X-ers haven't seen outside of Star Trek. So it drives him absolutely insane when he has to use a crappy old Dell laptop the size of a phonebook when he's running reports for the financial institution that employs him. Companies think they're saving money by scraping by with old, outdated technology, but the loss of productivity is astronomical, not to mention the turnover from infuriated employees. To lower the stress level of your employees and increase their output, provide them with the updated technology they want and need.

2. Flexibility

Generation Y craves flexibility. To Gen Y-ers, a 9-5 shift can seem like a prison sentence. In a recent survey by Mom Corps, 37% of Gen Y respondents said they would take a pay cut to ensure more flexibility in their work hours. Flex hours are one of the fastest growing trends in employment. More and more studies are showing that telecommuting and open-hours policies actually increase productivity, besides the boons of employee health and satisfaction. Not all workplaces can accomodate flex hours, but most can. So take a hard look at your schedule to determine if your current hours are actually a necessity, or simply the "way it's always been done".

Generation X had it rough. Their parents were tough on them, so they knew how to work hard and accept tiny crumbs of acknowledgement, or no acknowledgement at all. Generation Y is the opposite. Their parents gave them trophies and ribbons and told them they were special little snowflakes. Now they need the same thing from our bosses. Generation Y wants to feel appreciated. They want to feel that their contribution is valued, that they're making a difference, that their work has purpose and will reap a reward. For this reason, reward programs are highly motivational to Generation Y. The more regular and specific the rewards, the more effective the motivation. For more information on reward programs, click here.

Generation Y-ers have great value as employees: they're creative, innovative, idealistic, technologically savvy, multi-taskers, connected to thousands of people online. When pointed in the right direction, given the right tools, and provided with a nurturing environment, they can accomplish incredible things. But they don't always flourish in the strictures of a traditional work environment. So to get the most from your Gen Y employees, loosen up and don't be afraid to try something new.

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How To Motivate Generation Y Employees - Employee Rewards

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Generation Y, Millennials, The YouTube Generation - whatever you want to call them, these are the 20-somethings who are entering the workforce and climbing the corporate ladder, becoming the lifeblood of the major companies in the United States. The 70 million members of Generation Y are the fastest growing segment of the workforce.

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Lets see !!!

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Cet article a été mis à jour le 22 avril 2014 à 14:40

Après la génération silencieuse, qui a connu la guerre, les baby-boomers et la génération X des années 70 à 80, les nouveaux arrivants sur le marché de l'emploi peuvent être regroupés sous l'étiquette de Génération Y. Représentant environ 13 millions de français aujourd'hui, cette génération, née après 1980, représentera 40% des actifs en 2015. Véritables " prescripteurs " et modèles pour certaines générations plus âgées, les jeunes Y sont parfois difficiles à cerner pour les services RH.

Pourquoi parle t-on de Génération Y ?

Ils suivent la génération X (d'où leur nom) et sont nés à une période charnière :

- Ils terminent un siècle (ou le commence)
- Sont le plus souvent nés avec la technologie (digital-native)

La génération Y est souvent décrite comme la plus bête (manque de lecture, connaissances faibles), mais aussi la moins mature (on reste un enfant) qui n'hésite pas à revenir chez papa / maman en cas de problèmes dans la " vraie vie ". C'est aussi la génération qui affronte, dès sa jeunesse, la réalité des menaces climatiques, les scandales alimentaires, la réalité du SIDA ou encore la mondialisation de l'économie. Des concepts qui font partie du quotidien pour cette génération hyper connectée, qui attend de l'immédiateté ! Tous ces concepts donnent naissance à une génération bien particulière à appréhender au travail.

La Génération Y au bureau

La Génération Y se caractérise bien souvent par un comportement exigeant en matière d'emploi. Les jeunes réclament leurs droits : un bon salaire tout de suite, des responsabilités, un beau bureau, des horaires maîtrisés. Cette exigence envers l'employeur peut parfois être perçue comme de l'arrogance. Elle est bien souvent le fait d'un schéma de pensée ou, depuis longtemps, tout semble " du ", y compris les devoirs qui sont devenus des droits... Un jeune de la génération Y a tendance à être " cash " et à exprimer clairement ce qu'il pense à un supérieur hiérarchique !

Pour la Génération Y, la hiérarchie est difficile à accepter. Il faut penser de manière horizontale, et faire du partage de l'information et des retours d'expérience le quotidien. Hyper-connecté avec la technologie, un jeune de la Génération Y sera également hyper-connecté à son environnement de travail, souhaitant collaborer en équipe, être multitâche.

Réaliste et mieux éduqué aux codes marketing et publicitaires, le jeune Y est aussi en quête de sens dans son travail. Il existe un rapport affectif fort avec l'entreprise.

Comment capter (et garder) un talent de la Génération Y en entreprise

Le recrutement avec la Génération Y exige une bonne connaissance de leurs attentes, pour adopter les codes adaptés.

Hiérarchie horizontale : parce que les Y ne croient pas dans la hiérarchie, et piétinent les supérieurs, il faut contourner ce problème. Facile ! Le Y n'aime la hiérarchie, mais sait reconnaître la connaissance, le savoir et les compétences. Un organigramme ne parle pas un Y, parlez compétences, évolution, partage de savoirs.

Le travail n'est pas un sacrifice : Adeptes du concept du " live now, work later ", les Y sont prêts à s'impliquer dans leur travail, mais ne souhaitent pas se sacrifier comme ont pu le faire leurs parents. Pour susciter leur engagement, il faut penser le travail par projets, par missions, et non comme un train-train quotidien qui les poussera inéxorablement dehors.

Donnez la parole : Parce que le Y est un être participatif, il a un avis, et veut le partager. Parfois difficile à canaliser, cette énergie débordante et cette volonté de communiquer peut être utilisée à bon escient par l'entreprise : confiez à la génération Y le transfert de l'information en interne ou la veille.

3 blogs à lire sur la Génération Y

Source : Génération Y - Voyage au pays des 18-30 ans

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RH : Comment appréhender (et recruter) la Génération Y ?

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Cet article a été mis à jour le 22 avril 2014 à 14:40 Après la génération silencieuse, qui a connu la guerre, les baby-boomers et la génération X des années 70 à 80, les nouveaux arrivants sur le marché de l'emploi peuvent être regroupés sous l'étiquette de Génération Y.

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To play the video, just click the url below.. Enjoy it !

VIDEO 1 : Generation Y_ Definition, Characteristics _ Personality Traits - Video _ Lesson Transcript _ Study

http://study.com/academy/lesson/generation-y-definition-characteristics-personality-traits.html

VIDEO 2 : Génération Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGUNXzs8N8Q

VIDEO 3 : Do You Belong To Gen X Or Gen Y?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MybFlN0Vn3s

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http://www.dmnews.com/the-subtle-differences-between-gen-y-and-gen-z/article/407587/

April 07, 2015

The Subtle Differences Between Gen Y and Gen Z

From marketing preferences to career aspirations, here's what separates the new from the newer.

Millennials are widely considered the most powerful generation of consumers since the Baby Boomers, and for good reason. We've matured in lockstep with the Internet, and catalyzed the current global coalescence around the Web. We've presided over some of the most disruptive and destructive changes in nearly every industry, and have demonstrated a clear shift in cultural, political, and social paradigms. We're the generation that popularized social media, and mandated Apple and Google. Yet, for all of that, millennials--that is, Generation Y--could very well prove to be just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Despite its inability to purchase alcohol, or even apply for credit cards, Generation Z is already highly influential in household buying decisions. Almost all Gen Z parents (93%) say their children have influence on their family's spending and household purchases, according to digital agency Deep Focus' 2015 Cassandra Report on Gen Z. This influence has Gen Z paying more attention to careers, money, and success at earlier ages than their Gen Y counterparts, according to the study.

Money, specifically, is a powerful  early motivator for Gen Z, with 60% claiming that having a lot of money is a sign of success. Just 44% of millennials shared this sentiment at the same age, according to the study. Additionally, 39% of Gen Z prefer to save their money, and 66% aspire to more traditional ideas of ownership such as owning cars and homes. Sixty-two percent of Gen Z want to own their own company instead of working for established brands, with 89% claiming that their free time already goes to cultivating productive skills and interests conducive to entrepreneurship or self-improvement; 51% are dabbling in graphic design, and 50% exploring video editing and production, as well as building apps.

When it comes to consuming marketing, 67% of Gen Z prefers narratives and storytelling. They're nearly twice as likely to prefer advertising that doesn't feature celebrities, according to the study. This preference for relatability seems to be a major driver in Gen Z's desire consume marketing through YouTube, with 40% claiming that they prefer to engage with brands on the popular video platform. Gen Z is 85% more likely to visit YouTube than any other social media site.

Genera(tional)lly speaking, Gen Z and marketers' current focus, Gen Y, couldn't be more different. Beyond these early differentiators, Gen Z will be the first generation of consumers to grow up fully immersed in digital culture. Marketers haven't seen anything yet.

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http://www.owlweb.co.uk/news/engaging-gen-y

Tips for mentoring Generation Y
Gen-Y also know as Generation-We or Millenials (born 1978 -2000) are playing an increasingly important role in voluntary organisations.
To engage them in your organisation, think about the five areas below:

1. Ditch the negative stereotypes and value strengths
Generation Y are often portrayed as narcissistic, entitled, lazy, coddled, and delusional with short attention spans.  It is simply wrong to label the whole generation with these attributes.  Research shows that Gen-Y volunteers are tech savy activists with a desire to make a difference.  They speak out and support multiple causes, donating time, expertise and money.2. Focus on the ‘big picture’
Tell your story, emphasising the purpose of your organisation.  Engage Gen-Y to solve specific challenges.  Encourage collaborative teamworking.  Value creativity.  Use video and e-learning to inform volunteers.

3. Release control & simplify
Empower volunteers to create their own solutions and execute strategies.  Be transparent and honest about how you operate, how your finances work and how you make an impact.  Be flexible.  Create true personal connections by building relationships.  Provide opportunities for Gen-Y to involve their friends and family.  Provide support to address complex issues, help volunteers see potential risks and consequences without squashing their enthusiasm.

4. Be responsive & value feedback
Explain the ins and outs of the organisation culture and environment.  Give frequent updates.  Maintain regular communication through a variety of channels especially social media.  Welcome all types of feedback.  Ask what you can do to be better.  Listen and respond to suggestions and concerns proactively.

5. Celebrate success
Show the impact of Gen-Y’ers work.  Value individual contributions.  Recognise collaborative efforts and teamworking.  Validate volunteers’ strengths.  Provide skill development opportunities.  Throw volunteer appreciation parties and social events.  Say “Thank You”.

To get an idea the power and passion of Gen-Y volunteers visit www.gen-we.com