My new gig as the Manager of Sales Operations at Schneider finds me in the position of managing several associates (as they're called here) across the generational spectrum. I'm always looking for hints and ideas to make sure that I'm always on track and attending to their individual needs, because I know that my veterans have different concerns than my new recruits out of college. When it all comes down to it, I've had really good luck with just being myself (I know, real breakthrough here), listening, and communicating with them regularly to let them know that I know that they're alive (this is especially important with remote employees, as it doesn't take much to feel like the world is passing you by when you're working from home!).

This recent article from Inc. Magazine has proved useful, albeit from a higher level organizational perspective. I take issue with their blatant lack of Generation Y information. There's been information on managing Gen Y for a number of years now. Business Week reported on this in 2001, while AdAge had a piece on it.

While I don't have any Gen Y folks on my team, I'm certain that in good time I will. According the the BW article, we are about to see what happens when the workforce is inundated by talented, educated, techno-savvy, open-minded, service-oriented young people with every intention of making lots of money while building their ideal career and personal lives.

Here's a few things to think about when hiring and working with Gen Y associates.

1. Gen Yers' career choices and behavior are driven, first and foremost, by their quest for opportunities to play meaningful roles in meaningful work that helps others.
   
2. Gen Yers want to work with a highly motivated team of committed people.
   
3. Gen Yers have lofty financial and personal goals and fully expect to meet them.

While I implore you to do some research on this, you'll get the most bang for your buck by just getting involved with these folks. Seriously. I've found some great folks just by staying connected with the SIFE chapter at my local college. They're more than happy to have members of the business community involved, and you can gain so much perspective simply by hanging around these kids for a while.