Transformations: What Gen Y Wants and How Businesses Can Offer Them

Last Friday, I attended a compelling business presentation on “Turning Potential into Performance in Generation Y” by Dr. Tim Elmore of Growing Leaders, an Atlanta- based

Dr. Tim Elmore of Growing Leaders

non-profit organization created to develop emerging leaders. Tim talked about the different markets that have been established by the last five generations:

1. The market for the “Greatest Generation” (1900-1928) was commodities. They grew produce and then sold it at the farmer’s market.
2. The market for the “Silent Generation” (1929-1945) was goods. They processed the commodities and gave us convenience products (i.e. A cake mix in a box).
3. The Boomers introduced the services market into our economy.
4. Gen X took services to a new level and introduced the concept of an “experience”. Starbucks doesn’t just sell coffee, they sell an experience. Nordstrom’s isn’t just a department store; with a piano player, etc., it’s a shopping experience.
5. It is predicted that the market Gen Y will bring to our economy is “transformations”. Services and experiences aren’t good enough for them. They want to be transformed.
   

A sabbatical leave or career break offers opportunities for transformation. Time away from work can be structured to provide powerful leadership, learning, spiritual, physical, etc…..transformations. Businesses that offer sabbaticals for their employees are indeed allowing them an opportunity to be transformed into a better leader, contributor, and person.