b'FROMS ocial generations are groups of people (also called cohorts) who were born in the same date range and who share similar cultural experiences. And although this approach to social BOOMERS generations has been gaining a lot of traction in the past few years, it is in fact an idea that has a long history and can be found in ancient literature as far back as mid-19th century. I thought it could be interesting to provide you with a simple TOguide to each age group. Such a division into social generation cohorts can be helpful for HR leaders and managers, but it is impor-tant not to make any assumptions about an individuals preferences based on their generation. Obviously, there are many variations ZOOMERS within each region, both geographically and culturally, and the list below is rather general and only broadly indicative. CHARACTERISTICS OF BABY BOOMERS:SOCIAL GENERATIONS AND HOW TOBaby boomers are competitive and driven individuals. Because of DEAL WITH THEM IN A SEED COMPANY. the increase in population, boomers faced more competition for jobs when they reached working age. This resulted in a generation of COMPILED BY MARCEL BRUINS hardworking employees who are proud of their jobs. They value visibility in their work, and this makes remote work environments difficult for them.Unlike some other generations, boomers were not born into technology, and theyve had to adjust to new technology. When commercial internet access was first offered to customers in 1995, boomers were well into adulthood, with the youngest being 31 and the oldest being 49. And because of improved life expectancy and the baby boomers strong work ethic, most of them are retiring later than previous generations.WHAT TO DO FOR BABY BOOMERS AT YOUR WORKPLACE:Baby boomers value the seed company or organization they work for, the positions they hold, and the length of time they have been with the organization. Recognizing their accomplishments will increase your chances of keeping them. And be sure to make time for in-person interactions. Create a culture that welcomes an aging workforce. Ageism can be subtle or overt, and regardless of their age, employees should be provided with opportunities for advancement, access to training, rec-ognition of their performance, and regular feedback and coaching.CHARACTERISTICS OF GEN XERS:As the children of two working parents, Gen Xers learned to be independent and solve problems on their own early in life. And they often have a good education. The decline of manufacturing jobs while Gen Xers were leaving for college resulted in a generation that saw education as a means of advancing professionally. Gen Xers are very comfortable with technology such as computers and smart-phones, as well as learning new software or programs. In addition, they prefer to keep their professional and personal lives separate. Gen Xers value work-life balance more than their predecessors.WHAT TO DO FOR GEN XERS AT YOUR WORKPLACE:As baby boomers retire, Gen Xers are poised to take on leadership roles, and their direct communica-tion style and hands-off approach to getting things done make them excellent man-agers. You should find ways to use Gen Xers leadership skills in your workforce, whether through formal positions or men-torship programs.22IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'