THE BOOK.

Ever felt confused and angered by the very talented yet obnoxiously demanding 25 year old in your office who comes off as extremely entitled, expects a promotion even though she’s only been working at the company for three months and treats you like an equal even though you have been in the field as long as she’s been alive?
Ever wonder when the spell check function on the computer system in your office was discontinued because your very bright college educated 20 somethings keep handing you documents that are grammatical and linguistic nightmares?
Does your mouth ever hang agape when your enthusiastic, impressive, high potential right out of college associates call you “dude” in a meeting or tell you about their ____________(insert last night’s drama here) on a daily basis?
Do you find yourself thinking a little too much about how to give your Gen Y even very minor constructive criticisms just because you’re tired of hearing “it’s not my fault” again and again, or witnessing another unwarranted emotional melt down?
Are you considering establishing a cryptology department in order to decipher what “got msg, cu in few, GTGTL” means in the text your Gen Yer just sent you instead of returning your call like you asked him to?

Flip Flops , iPods, MySpace, “Dude,” Instant messaging? Whatever happened to dress shoes, yes sir, yes ma’am, in-person meetings, and traditional work etiquette? 60 million Generation Ys entering the workforce is what happened, the largest influx since the 72 million baby boomers entered two generations ago. It’s a new world and a workplace revolution is underway creating confusion and friction between the new work corps and their entrenched superiors. This transition, however, is also stimulating innovative methods of thinking, behaving, communicating and doing business as the other generations learn how to utilize the strengths and limit the liabilities of their new employees.

Most managers, HR professionals and executives are quite aware of the generational differences of this new breed of employee. Balancing the expectations, demands and the talents of Generation Y causes much head scratching, slack jawedness, hair pulling, moments of disbelief, and complaining to co-workers, higher ups and anyone who will listen about the frustration involved in figuring out how to productively engage, motivate and groom this generation to become the next generation of business leaders.

Many, especially in HR departments and management, are terrified at the thought that this generation will be the legacy left by the Boomers as they begin to leave the workforce. However, the few that have seen what this generation is actually capable of are excited about the possibilities. Whichever camp you fall into, terrified or excited, Gen Y is taking over and it’s time to actively engage this generation in developmental efforts to groom them into the next generation of leaders.

In order to help shape and develop these talented youth, you must first understand what they are made of and why they act like they do. Y in the Workplace: Managing the “Me First” Generation will provide you with a map of the environmental, social, cultural and psychological factors that contribute to Generation Y’s unique system of values, attitudes and expectations and how, as a whole, this group has impacted the corporate environment, inter-generational functioning, and management strategies. To help this Generation successfully transition into the workplace while creating a shared vision, Authors Lipkin and Perrymore provide you with the following:

Psychological insight into the character of this generation
An exploration of the cultural, psychological, environmental and social influences that have shaped the characteristics of this generation
Strengths and challenges that Generation Y is bringing to the workplace
45 Coaching strategies and solutions to help transition this generation into the workforce by harnessing their strengths, minimizing their weaknesses and helping them illuminate their talents.
An instillation of optimism and understanding about their abilities as supervisors and managers to impact the future legacy of companies in an exciting and highly productive way

Whether you are a small business owner, manager, HR professional, or teacher working with Generation Y, this book is a must read to gain insight into why this generation is the way they are and how, for the benefit of your organization, to help them become the best they can be.