Grown Up Digital

The Net Generation has taken the world by storm and after beginning "Grown Up Digital" it is evident that the rest of us should get on board!

The Net Generation has given most of us ( Gen X and Babyboomers) that they are lazy, lack drive and basic work ethic. Perhaps since this was some of the feeling regarding the "Y" generation that we just assumed it has carried over. However, we need to stand and take notice of this generation.

"Grown Up Digital" has graciously offered us some education on the journey of each generation by mapping out a normal day. Early on you get the sense that, yes indeed, each generation has new experiences as technology and society evolve. But we are in a completely different, and exciting time. Since this generation is "growing up digital" we find ourselves dealing with much more that teenage or adolescent issues. We find a brilliant generation that we are dependent upon to show us the way.

As a parent of two girls, 5 and 9, I find myself frustrated that it is so different that when I grew up. At 38, I still remember being very active and not wanting to sit around. On our recent trip to Hawaii my nine year old had to have a screen on every time she had a spare moment. Certainly we built sand castles and did the usual beach activities but a computer or screen certainly was the preference. Taking a DS to the beach made me crazy. This prompted a "family meeting" a few nights ago to discuss screen time. As parents we thought we were doing the appropriate thing. Now, we made need to rethink this avenue. As the book points out my children are of a generation in which this IS their play and more importantly, they can handle it. They can multitask, be creative and be socialized all at the same time. If we do not support this, within a monitored environment of course, we may be stunting their "technology growth".

In addition to the home front, the work force is going to have to adjust to this generation and companies need to position themselves to appeal to, and retain, this generation of workers. This will require reinvention. Reinvention of the work space, making it virtual and to not be afraid to have a worker off site. There is a perception that if you are not in the office you are not working. This generation blows that statement out of the water and proves to the rest of us that there may indeed be more productivity from a virtual office. A day without discussion at the water cooler or office gossip has been traded in for skpe conference calls and IM team interaction. Companies will also need to reinvent their mission, vision and values. A global consciousness is mandatory for this generation and to be part of an organization with purpose will be the organization with the most appeal. This reinvention will indeed be multifaceted and a constant evolution.

I look forward to reading on to pull on of this together. In the mean time I need to add two items to my personal "to do" list. One, call another family meeting and two, find a virtual assistant as was mentioned in the book to organize my day. I better write that down.