Managing and Working with Generation Y

Professor Kaye ChonDean

School of Hotel & Tourism ManagementThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University

“Less than 20%of employees are highly engaged. It's not that work sucks; it's that management blows.”

- Gary Hamel on Management Innovation

Two Most Significant Demographic Changes in Last 100 Years: “Baby Boomers” vs. “Gen Y”

“Baby Boomers” • Born 1945 to 1966• 18.6% of world population• Economic hardship• Multiple siblings• Traditional egalitarian work ethics• Frugal• Career driven• Career oriented

“Generation Y”• Born 1979 to 1994• 25.5% of world population• 1-child or 2-children generation• Affluent and well looked after• Over protected• Highly expressive• Digital generation• Outspoken• Life before career

The Issues

• Today’s organizations were constructed by Baby Boomers• Existing theories of management were largely driven by Baby

Boomers• Huge differences in culture between today’s leaders and

emerging workforce• Changes are inevitable in times of transition!

Desired Qualities for Future Managersand Our Challenges

• Excellent management know-how: theories and practice

• Communication and language skills

• Networking skills • Ability to manage technology• Global outlook and

internationalism• Personal and professional

grooming• Career commitment

Reality that we are facing: the new breed of Generation Y

PriceWaterhouseCoopers Global Survey of Students in Hospitality and Tourism

1. Greater emphasis on “work-life balance”2. “Family orientation” vs. “career orientation”3. Opportunity for “self-expression” highly important4. Opportunity for “social connectivity” both at work and after work is

important – emotional connections5. Tends to be “impatient” for career mobility6. Respect authorities but not formal structures and lines7. Requires transparency in procedures8. Expect superiors to be mentors and friends

IMPLICATIONS – Need to understand the changes and accommodate ourselves to changes

What Do You Do First Thing When You Wake Up in the Morning?: Gen Y Says…

It is all about emotional connectivity:• “Status” and “Check in” – what you do and where

you are…

Professors and Students: Unlike Any Other

Control

Customers

Individual Contributors

First-line management

Middle mgmt

Seniormgmt

Customers

Individual contributors team

First-line mgmt

Middle mgmt

Seniormgmt

Support

Transformational Leadership

SHTM’s organization chart (as at Mar 2011)

Students / Industry

General OfficeResearch &Research Students

UndergraduateProgrammes

Taught Postgraduate Programmes

Associate Dean (Academic Affairs)

Senior Executive Officer

EDPs Che-woo Lui H&T Resource Centre Samsung Digital Lab Bistro 1979 Industry Partnerships

School Advisory Committee

UndergraduateProgramme Director

Postgraduate Programme Director

Dean of School

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Hotel and Tourism Management

65 teaching faculty from 19 countries sharing the same vision

2009: PolyU SHTM ranked No. 2 in the World

Thank you and stay connected!

Google: Kaye Chon www.polyu.edu.hk/htm