Generation gap and how it can be beneficial for Smart cities in the future

According to the Smart Cities World and global leading services firm, PWC, it is a common problem that companies selling Smart city solutions to the public sector are dealing with an aging yet costly workforce. Hiring millennials are in demand as these talents are better in understanding and the use of technology, but conflicts are prevailing due to generation gaps.

The generation gap

A generation gap is frequently known as the difference between generations that cause tension and complicate communication. At a workplace, there could be up to 5 generations working together with each providing different skills, experiences, and expectations, forming an age-diverse team.

Millennials at work

The millennial generation, born between 1980 and 2000 now entering employment in vast numbers which will soon represent more than 50% of the workforce and will shape the world of work.

However, a study done by global leading services firm PWC shows that 65% of the current management’s inflexible working styles and hierarchies failed to allow the younger generation to perform and 46% of their leaders have failed to understand the use of technology.

So the bigger question now is, how does one take advantage of having different age groups in a team instead?

When implemented and emphasis is placed on shared goals, workers of the different generations can see themselves being on the same team and are more motivated to work together to achieve their goals.

A good mix of generations in each project team helps to recognize the strength of one another. This strategic team planning acts as a mentor-mentee relationship where generations are constantly learning from each other. The 2-way mentoring program will allow the older generation to improve their digital and partnership skills, whilst allowing the millennials to develop civil and communication skills which play an important factor in the public sector sales cycles.

Nordic IT company said, “when spoken the right language of these 2 different generations and managed in a company, it will be a true blessing for the future developments”.