Generation clash a workplace challenge

The Franchise Council of Australia is a not for profit membership organisation that is the peak body representing the franchising sector in Australia.

A lack of understanding and increasing tension between many older managers and their younger employees are threatening to leave Australian companies with massive workforce shortages in the near future, according to a new book, Generation Y: Thriving and Surviving With Generation Y at Work.

Author Peter Sheahan, a leading Australian expert on Generation Y (those born between 1978-1994), says employers are finding it increasingly difficult to understand and deal with young workers.

“Our workforce is ageing rapidly and in 2008 more Australians will leave the workforce than enter it for the first time in history,” says Sheahan. “The most pressing workforce challenge confronting the Australian business community is how to attract, manage and retain the new generation of talent. The companies that will successfully wage the war for this talent will be those that understand and accept that Generation Y brings radically different demands and expectations to the workplace than previous generations.”

Although they have been called lazy, impatient and overly confident, and their expectations and demands often exceed their skills, Sheahan says Generation Y provides a unique opportunity for businesses if engaged properly.

“Members of Gen Y are at total ease with new technology, they’re multi-skilled and they are risk takers who embrace change,” he says. “They are perfectly suited for the workplace of the future which will be characterised by rapid technological advancement, continual change and uncertainty.”

So how do managers handle a generation that thinks they know everything, who will not hesitate to leave a job even if they are happy, and who feel they should be rewarded just for showing up?

“Generation Y are attracted to meaningful and challenging roles in fun, team-oriented environments that offer flexible working arrangements,” Sheahan claims. “They respond best to a mentoring management style where managers set clear objectives and expected results, but allow for individual creativity and input in the process. Gen Y want independence with strings, and this has a lot to do with the way they were raised by their Baby Boomer parents.”

Sheahan, 25, is a former NSW Young Entrepreneur of the Year and author of four books. He has worked with over 165,000 young people in more than 1500 workshops, seminars and focus groups across Australia. Generation Y: Thriving and Surviving with Generation Y at Work is the first in the world to be written by an actual member of the generation. The book retails for $29.95 and is available at www.petersheahan.com.

HSW targets Middle East

RIYADH: Five Howards Storage World (HSW) stores are due to open in the Middle East by January 2006, following the signing of a master franchise with Al Hokair, a leader in retail franchising in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Al Hokair has purchased the rights to the entire GCC territory, which includes Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Bahrain. The large retail company owns the regional rights to a number of well-known brands including Marks & Spencer, Nike and Saks.

Al Hokair intends to open four HSW stores in Riyadh Saudi Arabia and one store in Dubai UAE in early 2006. There are 150 stores planned for the region, all of which will be company-owned.

This is the second international master franchise for HSW, with the opening of the first Singapore store in February this year.

“We have been impressed with the success of the master franchise operation in Singapore, and view the Middle East as the next phase of our international expansion strategy. We are close to finalising master franchises in Spain, South Africa and the UK,” says HSW CEO, Dirk Spence.

New recruits give the edge an edge

SYDNEY: Consultancy ‘the edge Corporate Strategies’ has announced the appointment of Paul Bardwell, one of Australia’s most respected franchising experts with 23 years experience.

Bardwell spent eight years as a McDonald’s franchisee and more than 15 as a franchisor with Lenard’s. He joined Lenard’s in 1989 when the system had some six stores, and has seen it grow to 190 stores across mainland Australia. Bardwell has consulted over 55 franchise systems and is an accredited franchise mediator.

In addition to Bardwell’s appointment, the edge managing director, Troy Hazard, has been voted global president elect of the World Entrepreneurs Organisation. WEO has an international network in more than 40 countries around the world and over 5500 members.

Meanwhile, joining the edge team in Melbourne is Kent Davis, who progressed through Retail Brand Group’s parent company Wendy’s to become national operations manager. From there he advanced to chief operating officer for a start-up venture called Quiznos Subs, also part of RBG. Davis has also been general manager Jesters Jaffle Pies.