Generations + Tech Usage

Over the last century, we all know the way technology as rocked the world! Whether you're 14 or 94, your life is bound to have been touched by tech. 

But what about in the workplace? What has your experience been on working with other generations or using tech between generations? 

For that matter, what generation are you a member of? 

(Did I mis-list any options or get the years wrong? Lmk below and I'll update. Seems to be some discrepancy between generation years.) 

  • I am thinking about my mother who used thé dactylo to prepare her texts and a kind of dissolvent if she had to correct à letter

    it is soooo easier now, she can correct any lettre, word or text without any difficulty 

  • The workplace is a unique environment where generation gaps in experience, expectations and technology usage can be clearly observed. From Millennials to Generation Zers, each generation brings its own set of values, skills and preferences when it comes to working with technology.

    Organizations must ensure they create an environment that respects these differences while striving for common goals. A successful approach is fostering collaboration between generations and allowing everyone to learn from each other. By understanding the different strengths of each generation, companies can capitalize on these differences, gain insights and create more meaningful work experiences.

    Technology has enabled new ways for people to interact and collaborate in the workplace. Whether it's using virtual teams or cloud-based platforms, these tools can bridge generation gaps and help people work together more efficiently. Organizations should ensure that their tech is accessible to all generations, ensuring employees have the right tools and support for their tasks.

    By recognizing generation gaps in the workplace, companies can create a better working environment for everyone. It's important to appreciate each generation's unique outlook on technology and find ways to bridge the gap. In doing so, companies can create a more exciting and rewarding work experience for their employees.

    By leveraging generation gaps in the workplace, companies can reap the benefits of diverse perspectives, skills and experiences—allowing them to work on projects from different angles and be more successful in their endeavors.

    By understanding generation gaps and creating an environment that respects the differences, companies can create a more fruitful and successful working experience for everyone. In today's digital world, technology is a key enabler of generation gap bridging—empowering employees to work together across generations and unlock new potentials in their business.

    All-in-all, generation gaps in the workplace can be productive when managed correctly. Companies should make sure to create an environment that celebrates each generation’s strengths and encourages collaboration between all generations. Tech is a great tool for bridging generation gaps and creating better working experiences—so let’s get started!

  • I'm Gen X, the forgotten generation. Slight smile

    I work with Boomers to Gen Z. Each has its strengths.

    Mutual respect and patience are virtues!

    At times I have written exact checklists to help people: Start Menu -> Programs -> Office -> Word.

    We all need to start somewhere. Plus, there are already new things on the way.

    Also, we can learn from each other, no matter who learned it first.

  • I think Millennials are the most tech-savvy generation. Young enough to grow up with tech. Old enough to be comfortable tinkering with user-unfriendly systems.

  • I'm a Gen X.

    I work with and do IT onboarding with Baby Boomers to Gen Z. As for which generation is more adapt to technology, it doesn't matter what generation, you will find people who are comfortable and can learn technology and others who cannot. I had a baby boomer who used mainframes in the past but have no idea how to use a Windows computer. I also had Gen Z who was totally lost on a Windows laptop.

  • I think that as long as someone has a willingness to learn, then it doesn't matter what generation they are from. However, I have seen lots of people from older generations not care enough or be motivated enough to learn and keep up with evolving technology.

  • I didn't even know Gen Alpha was a thing!

    I have met "older folk" (relative to myself) who have frankly astonished me with their tech savviness and younger folk who have somehow avoided the innate indoctrination of tech that exists today (much to my envy). The biggest challenges I've seen are people not knowing their ways around a computer, people not understanding cell phones (especially smart phones), and people struggling with typing. For those who cannot keep up with the constant innovations in computing, the first two are quite understandable, and it sometimes takes a willingness to do things a bit differently for those handful of people to make ends meet. One of the greater challenges I've seen, especially with smart phones, is people not realizing the many apps and other methods available to communicate internationally these days. As my work and circles continue to expand in those directions, I sometimes find myself hamstringed when a person cannot make the leap from a local number (say in Japan) to VOIP or another service that can allow me to keep my non-Japanese phone number yet still call. There is definitely a generational gap there, though the pandemic has helped close that somewhat with things like Zoom.

    Typing... I have no words other than practice! I am impressed, however, how much e-mail and computer work people like my father do yet stick with the one- or two-finger typing approach.

  • Boomer here! In commercial real estate appraisal you tend to work on a large variety of properties: Office buildings, warehouses, apartments, golf courses, restaurants, churches, rv parks we even did an embassy once! There is no way to be competent in every single thing so we connect with other appraisers to ask "What factors are important in this type of property? How did you value a dirt pit? A junk yard? Were there enviromenal concerns with a gas station? What monetary value do you put on a historic property that can't really be used for anything relevant?" The answers to these questions and many more only come through years of experience. Tech has made our job so very much easier but we can learn a lot of things from Google and YouTube. There is however, no way you can replace years of hands on experience when there are so many unique properties you may only see once over your career. Age and experience win over tech here every time. Younger appraisers are really at a disadvantage until they can build a network even though they have superior technical knowledge. Our tech gives us so many great ways to communicate on our own schedule that is does make this aspect way easier that it used to be but just can't replace the human brain. Being in a younger generation just doesn't give you an advantage here where personal connections are your biggest resource.