MONTREUX, Switzerland - Whether you work in the collision industry in North America, Europe or Asia, you'd find these markets all share many of the same problems. Finding qualified people willing to stay in the market is one of these problems.
IBIS took a look at this problem by focusing on the next generation of workers. Called the “Net Generation”, this group was born in the years from 1977 – 1996. They are technically adept, resourceful and educated. However, getting them to work and stay in the collision industry or any field could be a problem. Glen Gibson, Global Chief Strategy Officer for Crawford and Company, took a look at this generation. Consider some of the statistics he found. In the Net Generation:
- 97 percent own a computer;
- 94 percent use a cell phone and 76 percent text message;
- 75 percent have a Facebook account;
- 34 percent use Websites as their primary source of news.
Gibson then shifted to Internet statistics. Right now there are 1.3 billion Internet users. Thirty-one percent visit the Web writing in English. The largest percent of Internet users live in Asia (37 percent).
Gibson also threw in this statistic. China will soon be the largest English-speaking country in the world.
That’s how much the world is changing. That, of course, is the world the Net Generation knows best. What does the Net Generation want to get out of this world? According to Gibson, they want to travel (and they are far more mobile and possess stronger social skills than previous generations). In the area of employment, they’re not looking for job security, care little about benefits and are not seeking long-term employment. That makes them, in many ways, the toughest generation to draw into a market and convince to stay there.
Gibson has some solutions. Using programs he’s seen succeeds, he suggests employers use these tactics to retain their current employees and make their workplaces attractive to the Net Generation.
First, employers need to recognize workers for their contributions. Employees want more than a paycheck. Recognition by itself is a great reward especially when workers exceed goals, especially in areas like quality service. Employees also need to be sold on the idea of working in teams. Team contributions need to be recognized. Employees also need to be recognized for both their financial performance and community service.
Indeed, giving back to the local community can be a key component in making an employee feel part of an organization. For many members of the Net Generations, this could be their first experience being a key part of a larger group effort. That could lay the groundwork for long-term service to an organization where everyone involved benefits.
