NWC News Desk

Bestselling author talks April 24 about crossing the generational divide in the workforce

Posted April 10, 2008
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P O W E L L, W y o. - Jason Ryan Dorsey, an internationally recognized authority on generational dynamics in the workplace, will share his insights at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 24, in the Cody Auditorium at 1240 Beck Ave.

Often referred to as the "Gen Y Guy," Dorsey has been featured on "60 Minutes," "20/20," NBC's "Today Show," ABC's "The View" and in The Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine, among many others. His story has been featured in "The Success Principles" by Jack Canfield and two "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books.

The title of his talk in Cody is "Crossing the Generational Divide: Making the Four Generations in Your Workplace a Competitive Advantage." For the first time in modern United States history, four distinctly different generations are working side by side. Each of these four generations (Matures, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y) is guided by a different set of values, beliefs, and expectations. In Crossing the Generational Divide, Dorsey sheds light on each generation's thinking styles to highlight what they bring to the workforce-and what they want in return.

He shares a frontline-tested approach that participants can rely on to reinforce a culture of cross-generation communication, trust and discretionary performance. Dorsey uses entertaining stories, surprising statistics, and ready-to-use ideas so participants are armed with the knowledge it takes to make their multi-generational workplace a competitive advantage.

Through his presentation, he wants participants to learn to:

  • Recognize and understand the divergent values and priorities of the four generations in the workforce.
  • Influence their organization's culture to embrace each generation while respecting employees as individuals.
  • Lead employees to greater loyalty by facilitating an emotional bond between employees and their company's success.

To understand the realities of leading a multigenerational workforce, Dorsey interviewed employees and managers representing each generation in a variety of industries. His goal was to learn their beliefs, priorities, and preferences in order to find common ground in the workplace. He used this experience and extensive research to develop a framework and specific strategies that business leaders can use to increase employee loyalty, teamwork and discretionary effort across the generations.

Demand for Dorsey's workplace strategies have taken him to companies and conferences across the United States and as far away as Egypt, Spain and India. Closer to home, he presented his "Gen Y @ Work" program at the 2007 Governor of Wyoming's Workforce Solutions Summit.

During a typical year, he speaks to audiences ranging from corporate executives and entrepreneurs to first-time employees and frontline managers. In recognition of his business achievements, he was presented the Austin Under 40 Entrepreneur of the Year Award at age 25, one of the award's youngest recipients.

Admission to the Dorsey program is $10 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by e-mailing Carolyn Thomalla or calling (307) 587-3506.

Dorsey's appearance in Cody is sponsored by the Northwest College Centers for Training and Development, Wyoming Business Council, First National Bank and Trust, Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce, WyomingEntrepreneur.Biz and Cody Country Chamber of Commerce.

WyomingEntrepreneur.Biz (formerly the Wyoming Small Business Development Center) exists to help start-up and existing small businesses by providing education, workshops, resources and free, confidential business counseling. It is a partnership program funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council, and the University of Wyoming. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance, by e-mailing Bruce Morse or calling (307) 754-2139 or (800) 383-0371.