Brandon Hall Research Newsletter: 28 October 2008

Meet Your Future Leaders

Various names are used to describe the generation born in the 1980s and 1990s. These include Generation Y, Millennials, Nexters, the Net Generation, and the Digital Generation. This is the generation presently being groomed to replace retiring baby boomers.

Although some experts dispute the existence of generational differences, others identify characteristics they believe clearly define this age group. These differences could affect the training decisions you make when preparing tomorrow’s leaders.

According to some experts, millennials tend to prefer experiential/hands-on learning, working in teams, and social networking. They are naturally collaborative and tend to be creative.

Most do not think of technology as technology – it is just a part of life. They are accustomed to online and cell phone messaging with abbreviated lingua and quick exchanges. They have been described as intuitive visual communicators with good visual-spatial skills who can shift attention rapidly to pay attention, or not, and to respond quickly.

They are connected (often 24/7) and fast (they expect immediacy and live in the moment). They do, however, like structure and face-to-face learning (but have a low tolerance for boring), and they are achievement-oriented. Millennials also value authenticity and stories.

Continue reading this newsletter online: http://www.brandonhallnews.com/28oct8.htm

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Mike Cooke

Chief Executive Officer of Brandon Hall Group Mike Cooke Prior to joining Brandon Hall Group, Mike Cooke was the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of AC Growth. Mike held leadership and executive positions for the majority of his career, at which he was responsible for steering sales and marketing teams to drive results and profitability. His background includes more than 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, management, and operations in the research, consulting, software and technology industries. Mike has extensive experience in sales, marketing and management having worked for several early high-growth emerging businesses and has implemented technology systems to support various critical sales, finance, marketing and client service functions. He is especially skilled in organizing the sales and service strategy to fully support a company’s growth strategy. The concept of growth was an absolute to Mike and a motivator in starting AC Growth, in order to help organizations achieve research driven results. Most recently, Mike was the VP and General Manager of Field Operations at Bersin & Associates, a global analyst and consulting services firm focused on all areas of enterprise learning, talent management and talent acquisition. Tasked with leading the company’s global expansion, Mike led all sales operations worldwide. During Mike’s tenure, the company has grown into a multi-national firm, conducting business in over 45 countries with over 4,500 multi-national organizations. Mike started his career at MicroVideo Learning Systems in 1992, eventually holding a senior management position and leading all corporate sales before founding Dynamic Minds. Mike was CEO and Co-Founder of Dynamic Minds, a custom developer of software programs, working with clients like Goldman Sachs, Prentice Hall, McGraw Hill and Merrill Lynch. Also, Mike worked for Oddcast, a leading provider of customer experience and marketing solutions, where he held a senior management position leading the company into new markets across various industries. Mike also serves on the Advisory Board for Carbon Solutions America, an independent sustainability consulting and carbon management firm that specializes in the design and implementation of greenhouse reduction and sustainability plans as well as managing the generation of carbon and renewal energy and energy efficiency credits. Mike attended University of Phoenix, studying Business Administration and Finance. He has also completed executive training at the Chicago Graduate School of Business in Chicago, IL.

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