A person can hardly pick up a magazine (paper or online) without reading something about “millennials” these days. Yesterday I read a lengthy article in American Fastener Journal about millenials and the Young Fastener Professionals. This morning, after I strained my Baby Boomer back (though, I will add, on the later, tail end of the baby boomer generation, lest I be confused for a retirement aged boomer) picking up my morning paper (paper edition, not online) I opened up the “Parade” section where the headline read, “millenials vs. Boomers” which included an article on Chris and Abby Elliott, both in the comedy, entertainment industry. I have noticed many, many other articles in Industrial Distribution and other magazines that have addresses this large group of individuals we call the millenials.
It’s all kind of interesting to me as my wife has given birth to three of those little buggers. After reading these articles I can see all the places we have gone wrong as parents. Instead of telling my son to clean the three weeks worth of dirty clothes laying on his bedroom floor, I should have explained, ” you are part of a bigger picture son, you see, your room is part of a larger organization we call our HOUSE and when one part is not functioning properly it drags down the whole house for instance when bugs in your room begin to make their way into other rooms”. Now I get it, let them know how they fit into the big picture!
These articles are really effective and pointing out to me the many ways I have been an ineffective parent. In AFJ, the article on millenials read, “When you want a project done, they’re the first to jump in and say ‘hey, I’ll do it’. You can’t keep them busy enough.” That NEVER happened in my house unless one of my kids wanted to get out of doing what they were already doing. “Sure Dad, I’ll run to the store for you instead of mowing the lawn.” None of these articles discusses the communication filter that exists when your kid is busy watching Netflix or busy playing Play Station 4. They don’t volunteer for anything when that stuff is going on. And mind you, two of my kids have graduated and have jobs and earn money and pay taxes. They appear to be pretty “normal”.
The truth is, I’m teasing a bit. I love millenials. I have met a boatload of them through my own children and I find a lot of them fun, thoughtful, ambitious, and independent thinkers. I feel very good about the next generation coming up behind us Boomers, even if they do want to be company presidents after their six month orientation is completed.
But, I will share a little secret with the millenials. You are not all the same. Yes, you have all been raised on the internet and smart phones and us old-er people do envy your technical prowess, but you are not one big easily describable group. No more than you can say, “Old people are…” or “Irish people all…” or any group you want to lump together. You might see things differently than many Baby Boomers, but you also very likely see things different from many other millenials. I get a good laugh when my 20 year old college child starts to share info about musical groups coming to his college to perform in a music festival. He starts listing the groups and turns to his 26 year old sister and says with a smile, “you wouldn’t know any of these people, you’re too old”. 26 and over the hill.
But, just like us older folks, some of you are great workers, and some of you are lazy. Some are thoughtful and seek guidance and wisdom. Some jump to conclusions and talk before they thin. That is really not much different than any other generation of people.
But, all kidding aside, I think it is great that there is a group within our industry trying to reach out and be heard. Our industry needs to continue to adopt new technology and the young people learn that stuff very naturally. Kind of like when we used to hear, “teach a child a 2nd language when they are young because they can learn it so much easier than adults can”. If nothing else, we older employees should be talking to and listening to the young people who are coming into our industry. And, they should be doing that with us. Ryan Kertis of the Young Fastener Professionals recently told me about a networking program that his group is holding in Las Vegas in conjunction with the Vegas Fastener Show and it is one that you might want to consider attending. The YFP is attempting to promote dialogue.
On Wednesday, October 21, the YFP is holding a Speed Networking event at the Sands Expo Center, Room 404, from 3:15 to 4:45. There will be a mix of millennial and veteran industry personnel and you must register ahead of time for the event as there is a limit on the number of people who can comfortably fit in this venue. I hope some of the YFP members will respond to this post and further describe the event but I know they have already had a strong response to their early marketing efforts. I plan to be there and hope to see you there too.