Wyospace.com

Recruiting young business leaders - they just don't know it yet

By Tom Lacock

This is why I love Wyoming.

You know that phone call you get that reeks of desperation on the other end of the line? Generally, that voice is me, but last Feb. it was Nicole Zendehdel of The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar’s national office, calling me asking me for a little help.

Her program manager for Wyoming flaked out on her and she was calling anyone who had ever even heard of HOBY (we’ll get to just what HOBY is in a minute) asking for help in pulling off the 2007 HOBY Wyoming conference. A couple years prior, I was a media panelist and came away pretty impressed by the program, so I said I thought we could help.

The powers that be in the WBC also signed on. After all, keeping youth in Wyoming in Wyoming and being able to bring that message to 30 of the state’s top high schoolers.

A little background on HOBY – Hugh O’Brian, the man who formerly played Wyatt Earp in the popular Western of the same name in the 1950’s – went to Africa to meet with famed humanitarian Albert Schweitzer. He is blown away by one man doing so much good and the perspective he gained by the trip. As he is leaving, the good doctor grabs his hand and asks O’Brian what he is going to do to better the world. He decides to start a youth leadership seminar. Today every state in the Union has at least one conference and some states up to three.

The program teaches juniors-to-be in high school through teambuilding exercises as well as panel discussion in which we offer them a new perspective. The one thing I enjoy the most about the program is the motto of teaching you how to think and not what to think.

Last year we held the conference in Cheyenne with 31 of our best and brightest from around the state of Wyoming. We brought them some of the best minds with connections to the state. We showed them the Wyoming Technology Business Center (commonly known as the incubator) in Laramie and most importantly, we listened to them. We asked their opinion and we got it. Somewhere in all that mess of three days, we managed to have a great time and have our faith in the next generation restored.

Can you imagine being 16 years old and having someone like a Tim Bendel (frontierastronautics.com) talk to you about his life’s work of making rockets in Chugwater, or Kevin Schaff showing off his company (thoughtequity.com). What about having the State Superintendent of Public Instruction let you pick his brain for two hours; listening to Bruce Palmer of the National Outdoor Leadership School- the premier leadership training center in the country – talk about what they do. We also offered panels where we brought in folks who have devoted their lives to helping others through charity work and watched as the young eyes were at once opened and inspired by selfless sacrifice.

This year it was my turn to make some of what I thought were going to be frantic phone calls asking for help with HOBY Wyoming. By about the third call, it became pretty obvious there was no need for frantic. NOLS said they would not only stop down for the education panel, but they enjoyed themselves so much they are coming for two DAYS this year to offer their services for free. They are also working with HOBY International to offer a program to HOBY World Leadership Seminar later this summer.

The incubator folks not only offered their facility for two panels, but want to buy us lunch while we’re there. To this point, no one who was a part of last year’s effort has said anything but, “of course.” We have had folks come out of the woodwork when they heard HOBY was back in Wyoming to tell us they are alumni and want to come back.

We still have some spots available if anyone wants to help out June 7-9 in Cheyenne. If you want to be a part of the event, we have room for you. If you want to sponsor a meal and offer a presentation to reach 30 of the state’s best and brightest, call me. If you want to be a part of this next year or just check out what this is all about to look into being a part of next year’s event, let me know (777-2834 or tom.lacock@wybusiness.org).

Tips to Hire Generation Y

By Rachel Girt, Wyoming Business Council

Building loyalty with young employees from Generation Y – those born between 1977-1995 – is a matter of better understanding them, according to Jason Dorsey, a Generation Y’er who presented at the Wyoming Governor’s Workforce Summit last week. I found many of his suggestions applicable to any employee not just Generation Y. However, I must confess that I am a young Generation X (1972), so I may have some of this mindset as well.

I would be interested in employer’s suggestions on working with and keeping young employees in Wyoming. Please add your comments to this post.

As Mr. Dorsey pointed out, Generation Y feels little guilt leaving a job they don’t like, because they think another one is right around the corner. In order to keep younger workers, you have to build their loyalty to the company. I have noticed that many Baby Boomers have stayed with one or two companies their entire careers.  While my father stayed with one organization for most of his career, I have already switched workplaces – dare I admit it – five times in the 11 years since graduate school. These job changes are my attempts to find the right career path and jumping at opportunities. Many of my friends of Generation X have also made this “leap of faith” from job to job in the years leading out of college and are just now staying in jobs longer as they have children. This may also happen with Generation Y as they grow older, find the career they like and settle down.

Another point that stuck a cord with me – “doing your job” does not mean working from 8 to 5. According to Mr. Dorsey, Generation Y is more project-based. They will pour hours into finishing a project, even working very early in the morning, through lunch and through the evening. Once they have finished their project, they think it is ridiculous to try to fill the time at 4:30 pm so they can clock out at 5 pm. If they have finished a project on time and did an excellent job, you will win extra loyalty points by letting them go home early. It does not have to be every day.

Building loyalty with younger generations does not necessarily equate to higher pay – though few would argue with a few more dollars in their bank accounts. A recurring theme among Mr. Dorsey’s excellent tips was higher-ups taking time to recognize and include Generation Y, i.e. those with big titles don’t ignore the new young employees. 

• Involve younger employees in decisions and meetings
• Give them opportunities and encourage them to pursue additional projects
• Find out what they are interested in doing/learning about and give them opportunities to pursue it as long as it fits within your organization’s mission
• Make the first day special taking them out to lunch, having business cards ready and introducing them to the staff in a group setting
• Find out what motivates them such as flexible schedules, additional vacation day for excellent work, or gift cards for meals or entertainment
• Give them a career path- younger employees will not stick with a dead-end job and will seek positions that offer advancement

With jobs outnumbering workers in Wyoming, I highly recommend employers checking out any of Mr. Dorsey’s presentations and books. You can find more information on www.jasondorsey.com