How to – Get the Attention of Generation Y (and Keep It) With approximately 76 million Gen Y’s coming into the workforce, employers are waking up to the exciting (lots of new potential, clients, and consumers) and overwhelming (multi-tasking, twittering, blog-reading, ambitious) challenges that they present. While many weigh the pros (tech savvy, fast moving, trendsetting) and cons (work ethic problems, over confidence, a lack of respect for authority), this generation wants to rise quickly at work, make lots of money, and find their passion. Many managers want to know how to get their attention and maintain it over time.

While I don’t like stereotypes and their oversimplification, here are some ideas that will work for the general population of Y’s:

• First impressions are technological. Y’s will learn about you via Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and Twitter. Be visible there.

• Forget the lead in and lead up because Y’s don’t really care. Tell them what the solutions and take-aways are. They are focused on the end.

• Speak in sound bites. Y’s like things short and to the point. Don’t bother with lots of text and long paragraphs.

• Give Y’s airtime. They love to talk and they really love to talk to each other.

• Be direct and to the point. Let Y’s know when, how, and where you want something. Use a variety of mediums to communicate your message such as video, blogs, articles, audio, and email.

• Make them feel special. The more about them things are, the more you’ve got their attention.

• Be genuine. Capture their attention by being upbeat, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about your work.

Gen Y is a view of the world, less defined by a birth date and more defined by an outlook and behaviors. If you tend to be a multi-tasking, quick moving, Ipod listening information junkie, you might be more Y than you think.  2:22 PM •