Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2008 - (Page 17)

c ha r ac ter i st ic t he r e i s a n upside. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehend the macro view of this generation rather than a stereotype of their positives and negatives. These 12 character traits will serve as a snapshot profile of this generation (Chester, 2002). 1. I mpat ient. T h is generat ion has grown up in an instant world. They don’t buy into the old “patience is a virtue” and “good things come to those who wait” axioms. To them, patience is a sign of being out of step, glanced over, passed over and run over. Patience means you might not get what you want. We have created a generation of stress puppies who are in a perpetual rush to get the goods before time runs out. This is a generation that will stand in front of a microwave and shout, “Come on, I ain’t got all minute!” (Chester, 2002, p. 26). 2. Adaptable. This group thirsts for change and is programmed to readily accept and adapt to the constantly changing world. This generation has inherited this sped-up world, and the impatience we talked about in the previous section actually works to their advantage. Like a speeding train, they know it is coming, and rather than sit back and wait for it to hit them, they embrace it. This generation is able to think, adapt and embrace change before it happens. 3. Innovative. The box for this group does not exist. The Nexters are full of revolutionary ideas and have no fear of technology. They question everything and are naturally innovative. They aren’t concerned with the past, so they aren’t stuck there, and they have an uncanny way of seeing things in a fresh, new way. 4. Efficient. The generation known for multitasking and time management! Throughout their adolescence, they have been challenged to fit a tremendous amount of activit y into a small amount of time. Boomer parents have kept them busy in myriad activities. Once again, their impatience contributes to their virtue. When there is a project, task or assignment that stands between them and free time, they’re not going to dither—they’re going to find a way to get it done! 5. Desensitized. This generation has been there, done that, either personally or virtually. This group is full of the ultimate media hounds. They have grown up with 100-plus cable TV channels and the Internet. Dolby Surround Sound and elaborate theme parks are all in a day’s adventure. This group will not be stirred by a rah-rah motivational pep talk at a store meeting, nor will they be deeply saddened by a scathing remark, a verbal warning or a poor evaluation. Connecting with this generation will win their hearts. 6. Disengaged. To this generation, the principle of “choice and consequence” has lost its polish. The bad guy has been the hero one too many times. The future has been painted as gloom and doom by the traditionalists and boomers. The constant truth about this generation being disengaged is obvious. How do we convince this generation to be excited and enthused about tomor- row when the state of the world is always presented as a big mess? 7. Skeptical. The Nexters have experienced false advertising claims. They’ve stood back with shattered spirits as the media disassembled their heroes, and they’ve heard a president lie to get out of trouble. They’ve been conned, manipulated, cheated and exploited. Thus, they do not believe most of what they hear or read. They have watched their parents be downsized and outsourced by the very companies they sacrificed everything to help build. Gimmicks and hype don’t fly with this group. 8. Resilient. Gen Yers have no illusions or grandiose expectations, and they don’t shock easily. They know how to deal with pain and crisis. Thanks to the superf luity of media and the speed at which information travels, there is very little that this group hasn’t already >>18 First Quarter 2008 • 17

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2008

Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2008 Contents From the President Afterburn: Nexters' Impact in the Workplace Retirement Will Have to Wait From Sewage, Added Water for Drinking Rural Water and the Farm Bill Fiduciary Responsibility: It's All About Trust Water Industry Supports International Rural Water Association Regulatory Update The Rural Water Washington Rally in April Throwing My Loop A Precious Thing Called Water Index to Advertisers Advertisers.com From the CEO

Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2008

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