April 2008
The Tech-Savvy Boomers
I’ve all heard the misconceptions about the abilities of boomers: they are slower with technology, unwilling to learn or change, less efficient, and just counting the days until retirement. Frankly, I wouldn’t call these misconceptions or myths, I’d call them stereotypes.
At ASTD’s Techknowledge 2008 in San Antonio, Texas, I heard more than one person remark that they were surprised at the number of boomers in attendance. Why? Is it because mature workers are unwilling to keep current with technology? If that’s the case, then why did a 2005 marketers.com survey show that 76 percent of people age 65 and older have used a computer and 70 percent have surfed the net? Why did more than 20 social networking sites for baby boomers pop up in 2007?
This issue of T+D explores how to retain older workers beyond retirement age and how to safeguard the knowledge of this valuable group of workers. To keep up with the global workforce of tomorrow, organizations will need a generational mix of individuals who can work efficiently, electronically, and autonomously. And that generational mix needs to keep an open mind about the abilities and attitudes of all generations.
Just as much as young employees don’t like being stereotyped as lazy and afraid of hard work, the boomers don’t want to be denied new learning opportunities and treated as rigid and less capable than their younger counterparts.
Isn’t 70 the new 50 and 60 the new 40? Many boomers are still eager to keep current with technology and share their vast industry knowledge, and they have a lot of living left to do. They may not have grown up with the Internet or played virtual games, but they are very willing to give these new technologies a try.
Don’t assume mature workers are afraid to try new things; instead, embrace the opportunity to work with these fascinating individuals and to teach new things to willing learners.
Paula Ketter
Editor, T+D
pketter@astd.org
FEATURES
TALENT MANAGEMENT
Safeguarding the Intellectual Capital of Baby Boomers
By Beverly Kaye and Joyce Cohen
Rehiring or retaining older workers is a viable solution to staffing dilemmas, and the best way to keep your intellectual capital.
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TALENT MANAGEMENT
Flexible Phase-Out
By William C. Byham
Employees nearing retirement need a clear path to the finish line in the form of no loss in pay or benefits, and encouragement to stay.
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MANAGING THE LEARNING FUNCTION
Learning Pathfinder
By Michael Laff
Creating an open pathway for employees to select their own training and manage their own careers is the end point of self-directed learning.
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DELIVERING TRAINING
Is Your Sales Team Stuck in the 1890s?
By Brian Lambert
If you train and develop salespeople, you know that an overly simplistic understanding of sales processes and selling systems can be a recipe for disaster.
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MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT
Management Onboarding
By Marjorie Derven
Onboarding helps organizations realize a strategic advantage over others who fail to manage the early entry period.
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Executive Summaries
DEPARTMENTS
INTELLIGENCE
Calculating the Skills Shortage
Finance and IT firms are taking a variety of actions to relieve talent scarcity.
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RE:SEARCH
Anticipated Growth in Behavioral Interviewing
More than 80 percent of employers plan to continue or increase their use of behavioral interviewing.
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TECHNOLOGY
Skills 2.0
Web 2.0 gives learning professionals tools to compete in an
increasingly digital environment.
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FUNDAMENTALS
Know the Drill
Boot camps provide managers with intensive courses, replacing slower-paced formats.
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DEVELOPMENT
Planning to Win
How can employees learn to anticipate opportunities and
threats, and manage strategies within their own realms?
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IN EVERY ISSUE
WHAT THINGS COST
What Do E-Learning Content Development Tools Cost?
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THE LONG VIEW
T+D profiles Pat McLagan, CEO and Chair of McLagan International, who is based in Washington, D.C., and Cape Town, South Africa.
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CAREER PATH
Dear Coach
What are your career aspirations? This column will guide you to a new career stage.
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SOLUTIONS
Blended Learning Helps Sales Staff Become Financially Knowledgeable
Computer Associates leverages blend of e-learning and customized training to support sales in financial services industry.
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BOOKS
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