Peter Sheahan - Generation Y Blog

Do you have anyone on your board under the age of 27?

Pepsico US CEO had the following to say about the diversity of his leadership team.

"To be a leader in consumer products, it's critical to have leaders who represent the population we serve."—Steve Reinemund/PepsiCo

Let me ask you; how many people under the age of 27 do you have in your leadership team? Not only are people under the age of 27 (Gen Y) considered the most influential consumer group on the world, but they are also going to form the bul of the work force as the Boomers retire. FIX THIS!!!

www.petersheahan.com

Generation Y are causing the world to catch up with Apple

I love this quote from Stev Jobs (my Hero) founder of Apple.

"The great thing is that Apple's DNA hasn't changed. The place where Apple has been standing for the last two decades is exactly where computer technology and the consumer electronics markets are converging. So it's not like we're having to cross the river to go somewhere else; the other side of the river is coming to us."—Steve Jobs/Fortune/02.21.05

I reckon that if any company on the globe has a Gen Y mindset it is Apple. LONG LIVE STEVE JOBS!!!

www.petersheahan.com

Bring on the Baby Bosses

One of my loudest rants in my seminars and workshops is that we don't just need to teach the Boomers and X'ers to manage Gen Y, but also how to cope with being managed by Generation Y. I speak from personal experience. In my career in the Hotel industry I found myself the General manager of a 4.5 million dollar Hotel with 30 staff at just 19 years old. I had some staff who were more than twice my age and did not like being managed by someone as young as me. The power trip I was undoubtedly on, and my need to prove myself certainly did not help matters, but there was definitely and ego clash for those who were significantly older than I was.

My case is far from an isolated example. This is happening across all industries and is only going to get more serious. How well would you handle being managed by someone younger than you? What about someone 20 years younger than you? Are you and your organisation ready for this?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050302/CAYGBOSS02/TPBusiness/General/

www.petersheahan.com

Cool is not Cool, George.

Someone forgot to tell George W. Bush that "cool" is not cool. Here is what he said about 3 Doors Down at a recent youth concert in Washington.

"How about 3 Doors Down?" the president asked of the young band, his shoulders shrugging in fast-paced sync with his patented chortle. "Pretty cool guys, huh? They seem cool to me."

www.petersheahan.com