Rewards of 'Gen-Blending'

Human resources consultant Bette Price has developed the term "gen-blending" to describe the mixing of people from various generations at workplaces. These employees work together as equals to address company issues. "The goal is to collectively brainstorm in order to identify problems and get a broader vision of the company," says Price, who is publishing a book on the topic. Gen-blending typically involves three generations--Baby Boomers born in the 1940s and 1950s, Generation Xers born in the 1960s and 1970s, and Millennials or Generation Yers born in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2008, media firm Time Warner started a program called digital reverse mentoring where university students tutor senior executives about using such tools as Facebook and Twitter. Similar efforts are emerging in sectors like finance and commercial services, but are mostly concentrated in energy, engineering, and technology companies, says Price. This is because there is a greeter need for knowledge transfer at those firms. where there is greater need for technical knowledge transfer. Many firms continue to offer traditional programs where senior employees mentor junior employees, which experts say lets senior employees feel engaged.

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