design:retail - September 2017 - 34

ask judy:

034

ADVICE FOR CREATIVES NAVIGATING THE WORKPLACE

What are your tips for
working in a multigenerational
environment?

-Oldster Working with Youngsters

Judy: My first tip is to ask, "What do Gen
X/Y/Z and Baby Boomers all have in common?" Clearly they are all humans, affected
by current events in today's world. They
all have personal lives with families and
friends. They all have dreams and special
talents to help them achieve their vision.
Sure, there are differences in the generations based on variations in how we were
raised by our parents, along with changes
in technology and the economic landscape. You may find it helpful to research
sites like "The Center for Generational
Kinetics" at genhq.com. They offer an interesting list, with each point ranked in the
order of importance to Millennials:

The Top Five Drivers of Millennial
Employee Engagement
1. I feel I am valued in this organization.
2. I have confidence in the leadership of
this organization.
3. I like the type of work that I do.
4. Most days, I feel I have made progress
at work.
5. This organization treats me like a
person, not a number.

SEPTEMBER 2017

DESIGNRETAILONLINE.COM

Do you agree that this "Millennial" list
fits any generation? Next, Google "generational difference charts," and I think you'll
find that many descriptors are similar. If
you begin by noticing what you have in
common as human beings, and then embrace your differences, you will have the
means to develop an exciting, collaborative
work environment. Consider that creative
innovations often stem from connecting
disparate ideas, so there is a keen competitive advantage in nurturing generational
differences.
My own story offers examples of developing relationships in a multigenerational
workplace. In my last two years at Target
headquarters, I moved to the merchandise
presentation department (MPD), having spent 20 years in marketing. The vast
majority of the team in MPD were recent
college graduates. I can't express how much
I enjoyed working alongside them, so curious, open-minded and fun. A group of us
watched "The Bachelor" every week, and
the morning after, we'd gather in the aisles
for a quick chat about the previous night's
show. More laughs came as we'd check to
see who had the Justin Bieber doll gracing
their desk, an award for certain accomplishments. I used to do presentations on
the competitive landscape, and I wanted to
top them off at the end with a song related
to my topic. I invited colleagues from MPD
and store design departments who were
also musicians and singers, to create a band.
There were a dozen of us (from a variety
of generations) with instruments including violin, guitar, clarinet, ukulele, double
bass and percussion. We played the heartwarming Hawaiian version of "Over the
Rainbow" to accompany my talk on color
for 2,500 team members. Music brought us
all together without a single thought given
to generational differences. Most memorable was the merchant who came up
afterwards with tears in her eyes and simply
said, "Thank you."

GLOBALSHOP.ORG

JUDY BELL
FOUNDER
ENERGETIC RETAIL

When I am looking for creative
inspiration and the latest thinking in
retail, I rely on magazines, websites
and even Pinterest. Any suggestions
on areas I might have overlooked or
off the beaten path?

- Inspiration Seeker

Judy: I think it is essential to develop a daily practice of finding inspiration. In the new edition of
"Silent Selling," my college text on visual merchandising, I dedicate the first chapter to creativity and
write extensively on how to find inspiration. Visiting retailers of all types, specialty stores, big boxes
and grocers, and other services like banks and
cafés, on a weekly basis is crucial. Even one hour
a week is a beneficial way to see seasonal changes
and promotions.
Inspiration can also come from non-retail resources, like movies. Richard Linklater is a director,
screenwriter and producer who invested 12 years
making the critically acclaimed film "Boyhood,"
using the same cast of actors to portray the lives of
a young man and his parents.
Elizabeth Gilbert is one of today's top innovative
thinkers. In her book "Big Magic," she tells inspiring stories about the way Einstein used a tactic he
called "combinatory play," in which he would often play the violin when he encountered difficulty
with a mathematical puzzle.
What is your "violin?" What do you love to do
that gets you outside the scope of the project for
which you are seeking new solutions?

http://www.genhq.com http://www.DESIGNRETAILONLINE.COM http://www.GLOBALSHOP.ORG

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