Managing the Gen Y Workforce

The Gen Y members or the millennial generation has a reputation for being spoilt and hard to handle. That’s actually not true. You just need to manage them well. These are headstrong individuals who refuse to be a part of a command and control leadership structure. They believe in doing things because they WANT to and not because they have been told to do them by somebody else. The good news is that the Gen Y workforce thrives on setting new challenges for themselves and is focused on constant self-development. So instead of worrying about how you would manage the millennial clan, learn how to communicate with them:

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  • Give Constant Feedback

This generation seeks regular interaction and acknowledgement. Being stuck at a desk alone all day and getting work done isn’t enough. The typical Gen Y employee needs to feel that he is working with a purpose. So a supervisor needs to stay present and be consistent with feedback. You should check-in in some way. That could involve a weekly report or a quick coffee session. You are not expected to give out prizes every week, but let the employee know that you know about and appreciate his effort at work.

  • Be Flexible

Gen Y workers want to deliver results and be proud of themselves, but they probably won’t like being told exactly how to approach a project. It would be a better idea to explain the end result you seek. You should also suggest how to go about it and give examples of how it worked in the past, but don’t forget to give them a chance to provide their thoughts on it. Ask them how they would tackle the project.

  • Consider their Wellbeing

A lot of Gen Y workers continue to rebel against the morning to evening, stuck in a desk routine that people followed without question before. The millennial is focused on bringing value to his/her organisation, but not at the cost of wasting precious time. Long commutes are a major complaint. Allowing some days of work from home is a way to deal with this, as long as productivity levels do not suffer. If you absolutely need them in the office, then devise a plan of other benefits such as reimbursement for gym membership, a nap room, and chairs that keep their backs happy. This generation is more aware of psychological and physical burn out and its effects, so they will appreciate the gestures and be happier at work. And happy employees work well.

  • Encourage Growth

While Gen Y workers are known to change jobs frequently, that is not a reflection of their loyalty as much as their reaction to a lack of growth. If you don’t want to spend hours interviewing, hiring and training new employees every year, you need to understand the millennial’s thirst for learning and skill building. Be their mentors and not a distant boss. Talk to them about their future career goals. Give them time to attend important seminars and industry events. See if the company can support them in further education endeavours.

  • Keep Them Motivated

When a Gen Y individual joins a new job, s/he is ready to do ‘real’ work from day one. Challenging is the key word here. As their managers, you need to let them know that you would love to hear their ideas. It could be a regular brainstorming session, with the entire team. Creativity and innovation drive this demographic cohort; allow them to constantly contribute and never put down any ideas in front of the other workers.

There are numerous advantages of working with Gen Y. They are tech-savvy, fast learners and seek personal fulfilment. They are very competitive as well. These characteristics enable them to bring a vibrant force to decision-making and their work. Once you know how to interact with them, your company will benefit as well.

Gear Up for a Role in International Business

In today’s world economy, almost every business career is an international business career. And you are an ambitious, tech savvy person who is ready to be a part of this diverse scenario. There’s a lot of cultural exchange and business knowhow involved in every business interaction these days. Do you have the drive to succeed in this challenging environment? If you answered in the affirmative: Does your skill set include what it takes? Here’s your checklist.

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  • Be culturally sensitive

If you want to succeed in international business, staying stuck in your local cohort will not get you very far. You don’t have to travel to Spain to know that a business dinner could go well into the wee hours of the morning because the mealtime commences so late. You also don’t have to spend time in Japan to find out that the Japanese don’t think twice about asking people what they earn. Taking out the time and interest to talk to international students on your campus is good enough to teach you a long list of things like this. Extensive reading helps too. Or you could end up offending an elderly Japanese individual by offering to shake his hand. Some cultural customs may even irk you, but the more you know, the better for your growth.

  • Work on your language skills

Simply reading books often is one way to improve your language skills. Getting As in English classes throughout school and college doesn’t say anything about your conversational skills. Work on your communication. Push yourself to talk to more people and to develop good conversational skills so that you can build lasting relationships. Plus, knowing multiple languages is essential. Chinese languages have become popular for B-school students since the country has a booming international business environment. The truth is that people are comfortable talking in their local language, so remove that barrier.

  • Stay abreast of world affairs

There is a reason that there are so many newspapers and magazines in the market; you need to stay in touch with what is happening around you and elsewhere. When you are working in an industry, staying in a vacuum is just not and option. You need to read the news, watch the news, sign up for online alerts and know what is happening across the globe. Daily events affect stock prices and the prices of raw materials. Rapid changes like a terrorist attack in a safe city result in changed business processes and demand and supply. For example, somebody working in the hotel/tourism industry would need to know about the 2015 Bangkok temple blast because it obviously affected business. Knowing what is happening enables you to change and adapt your strategy accordingly.

  • Learn about governments/political relations

In the current business space, organisations work with colleagues and clients in various countries. Develop your knowledge of international politics and economics of the nations and cities that you work with. Find out about the chief minister/president and the ruling party. Then do your research and understand where things stand between the government of your country and that of those places. Also understand the relationship between the ruling party and its opposition. That could help you avert trouble if you are offering goods or a service in their location. For instance, a multinational company that runs cab services globally will study each location, learn about its trade unions and understand how supportive or unsupportive political parties are when it comes to welcoming foreign business.

The Nanyang Fellows MBA programme

The Nanyang Fellows MBA programme nurtures candidates who go on to succeed in the international business world. From top experts teaching you to time carved out for a visit to a top US B-school, there are multiple elements to bring you closer to your career goals. Whether you want to start your own entrepreneurial venture after years in the workforce or join the coveted C-suite, the entire experience will help you build the skills and mind-set needed.

As a representative for your company in the global arena, you’ll enjoy new experiences each day. Even if you aren’t always on a plane, you’ll be going places as you continue to excel as an international communicator.

Adopt These 10 Powerful Public Speaking Tips to Move Your Audience

Talking in front of a group of people doesn’t come naturally to many people. Still, introverted individuals who can be called shy can learn how to combat their fears. Public speaking is a vital part of being an industry leader. You need to know how to communicate and create an impact with your words.

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Here a few pointers to guide you.

1. Let Your Passion Show

Speaking effectively about a topic requires you to understand the subject well. You cannot memorise facts and statistics and let that be your presentation. Passion is contagious, so you need to make your audience feel it too. Make sure you know what you are talking about. Care about it. Because if you don’t, they will figure it out and not be that interested either.

2. Adopt the Right Body Language

Non-verbal communication is important. That basically means that what you do with your hands and eyes and mouth and the rest of your body during your talk will determine how the audience responds to you. So maintain eye contact, smile enough but not too much, and don’t roll your eyes or keep fingering the long strands of hair that fall across your face. Sound professional and act professional.

3. Always Practice

Practice does make perfect. Read the speech out loud multiple times. Track how long it takes and leave time for Questions & Answers. Record it. Once you think you’ve got it down right, practice in front of somebody you trust to be honest with his/her opinion. Let them tell you what could be said better or emphasised more. Maybe your shoulders are slouching and you aren’t looking confident? Find out.

4. Be a Storyteller

Everybody prefers an engaging story to a long message delivered in monotone. Make your speech a story. Narrate the facts and figures with a personal touch. For example, you could throw in some anecdotes about the time you experienced something relevant and how it affected your feelings. Also add interesting bits of information that could be new learning for your audience.

5. Throw in Some Humour

You don’t want your audience sitting there with the same expression on their faces throughout your talk. Add some humour wherever appropriate. A good laugh always makes people feel good immediately and sharing a laugh can help you bond. Just make it relevant and clean.

6. Calm Your Nerves

Being nervous is a common problem before presentations until you get more regular at it. Choose some quick relaxation exercises that work for you. A yoga instructor or coach could advise you. And don’t let your nervousness make you speak differently – more quickly or trying to impress too hard. Aim to create a rapport with the audience members. People remember how you made them feel. So be comfortable and let that feeling pass on to them.

7. Use Voice Techniques

Voice therapy comes in handy for people who have issues such as a stammer or a high-pitched voice. A good speaker should sound pleasant and friendly. There are a few vocal exercises including energy, pitch inflection, pace and silence that can help you communicate effectively. Are you pausing when you should, to give the audience a moment to let a point sink in? Are you talking too fast? It’s important to know how you’re doing.

8. Focus on the Message

When you structure your speech, you need to keep the main message in mind. Losing focus can ruin your speech. Do your research beforehand to know more about your audience. Think of every possible scenario for the Q and A session. Even if somebody wants to drag you in another direction (away from the message) you should know how to bring the conversation back there.

9. Connect and Motivate

A good leader motivates his audience. To do that, you need to structure your talk to meet their needs and expectations. That requires research. Watch their body language when they speak to you. If you notice them looking confused or sceptical, what would you say? Your words, tone and gestures should work in a combination to make them want to get involved in the subject as soon as possible. Tell them what THEY can do instead of just telling them what has been done.

10. Respond Positively to Negative Feedback

Most speakers face resistance to their views. Listen to the audience member. Understand that he/she is very interested in what you have been talking about to have an opinion. Respond calmly and do not be defensive. Being neutral is the key. Remember the message that you are there to present and disagree without going off topic or getting flustered.

If you follow these tips from Day One, you’ll find yourself getting better and better. Great leaders are great communicators. Good luck!

Mentor Your Millennial Squad

Millennials are taking over. They make up a large proportion of most top company offices and are ready to be the change. The old fashioned ways of giving career advice and training are proving to not be enough. Instead, they demand unlimited access to key people in the organisation and industry. They also expect customised advice based on what they want and need.

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If you want to be a successful mentor, here are some points to keep in mind:

  • Provide Constant Feedback

Millennials don’t look at their job as work; they like to make their role a major part of their lives. In other words, they are not focused on achieving a work-life balance as much as they are trying to find a career that is personally fulfilling. A strong sense of purpose rules the millennial agenda, so as a mentor, you need to recognise that. What does that translate to? Constant constructive feedback is a necessity. Be there with your inputs about projects, career development needs, personal growth, and anything else that matters to them.

  • Keep Them Engaged

The millennial generation sets high standards for themselves and everybody around them. They’ve started creating a resume way before their parents did and have grown up eyeing the best schools, colleges and jobs. With that kind of drive, you must make sure that they are engaged at all times. That doesn’t mean overworking them. It just means that you have to keep on throwing them challenges. For this set of employees, one achievement follows the other. Keep the motivation levels high.

  • Try Out Reverse Mentorship

Some companies employ a reverse mentorship programme where the manager and executives mentor each other. You’d be surprised at what you can learn from them with their unique ways of processing life. For instance, you can get insights on how your junior colleagues are responding to your leadership and understand what may be going wrong when problems arise. You will help each other and build a bond that can last a lifetime.

  • Consider Group Mentoring

Another method of mentorship that has worked is group mentoring. It is probably best as an add-on programme because mentoring via a technology platform takes away from the one-on-one aspect. Your organisation will need to invest in software that will bring together employees from different locations according to their skills or roles. There will be community forums, document sharing opportunities and polls. It could be you mentoring a group of people or a group of managers including yourself mentoring certain employees. Conference calls, webcasts and online coaching would keep up the regular communication. You will need to be super organised to make this successful.

A great mentor lets the millennials be emotionally and intellectually forthright with them. He or she is not supposed to be a coach or a boss but a motivator who inspires both within and outside the workspace. The more you invest in them, the higher the chances that they’ll be happier and choose to stick around.