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Each generation’s values, communication styles and work habits influence and challenge today’s workplace. Learn more during Dec. 2’s “Living and Working in a Multi-Generational World.” Presented by Crawford: 20/20 Vision’s SPARK (Supervisors Promoting Awareness, Responsibility and Knowledge) series, this event also will feature a panel of local leaders representing the following generations:

  • Traditionalists/Veterans those born between 1928-1944;
  • Baby Boomers, 1945-1964;
  • Generation X, 1965-1979; and
  • Generation Y/Millennials, 1980-1994

Participants can choose to attend either the morning session, Dec. 2 from 8 a.m. to noon, or the afternoon session from 1-5 p.m. Both sessions will be held at the Crawford Success Center, 130 N.Walnut St. in Bucyrus.

“This is an interesting topic that we think will appeal to a wide variety of business professionals,” said Michelle Failor, Crawford: 20/20 Vision’s Communications Coordinator. “It’s surprising how much we don’t really know about different generations and what drives them. Simple communication gaps can be resolved more easily if we are tuned in to those differences.”

For example, she added, Crawford County employers have commented that it can be challenging to hold evening meetings– Gen Xers and Millennials strive for a work-life balance because many of them grew up in a household with two working parents. On the other hand, Baby Boomers are used to that structure and often there is a disconnect as a result.

A spin-off of Crawford: 20/20’s successful Supervisor Boot Camp program, this SPARK session will feature one of the Boot Camp’s main instructors, Lorie Simpson.

“Our Boot Camp students love Lorie’s dynamic and fun style of teaching and we hope to see some of them again at SPARK because there is a lot of new material that this multi-generational course will cover,” said Christina Sisson, of Acloche, the company that 20/20 partners with to provide this training. “For example, we’ll be introducing some of what we’ve learned about the next generation that’s getting ready to enter the workforce – digitarians!”

Casie Grau, Human Resources Manager at Ohio Mutual Insurance Group and chair of 20/20 Vision’s SPARK committee, said she is also excited for this event because it will be valuable training that she can apply to her workplace now. “This is an especially relevant topic for many of us in Crawford County and it is timely. Baby Boomers are retiring or getting ready to and it is important to be prepared for different management and leadership styles. I’m looking forward to learning more about it!”

Each session is limited to 50 participants, Grau added, so be sure to go online and register! The cost is $80 per person and the link to register can be found at www.crawford2020.com.