We’re heading to Austin as co-hosts of our first ever event in the lively city. South by Southwest is an annual conference that showcases film, music and interactive trendsetters. Check out our event and some other sessions we’re hoping to catch.
Friday March 8, Fairmont Hotel, Violet Room
50 & Up Meetup
We were invited by communications pro Patricia McCall who hosted the event last year. We’ll be discussing topics that were exposed in our recent market report “Understanding the 50+ Worker“:
- I’m not done yet!
- Learning new skills
- Financial readiness
- Ageism in the workplace
- Networking
- Entrepreneurism
- Mentoring
Meet with other similar-aged attendees to discuss what you are learning and observing at SXSW. Share which sessions have impacted you and what you hope to take away from SXSW. We will talk about our experiences in our workplaces where five generations are working together. We will discuss strategies for contributing value in our work environments by mentoring and sharing our wisdom while continuing to develop new proficiencies.
Saturday, March 9, 9:00 am, JW Marriott, Rm. 203
America’s Got Hidden Talent: Social Impact Hiring
We’re looking forward to meeting Kerry Hannon. Kerry is AARP’s Work and Job Expert, helping workers aged 50+ looking for a new job—whether they have been laid off or taken early retirement, need supplemental income, or want to pursue an encore career. She works with companies to understand the value of senior workers, and how to incorporate them into your talent solution to drive business results. Kerry is also a prolific author, keynote speaker, and columnist.
With unemployment at historically low levels at just over 4%, nearly 2/3 of organizations report difficulties recruiting for open positions –despite many talented people unable to find employment. Simultaneously, the demand for socially innovative companies is increasing, with people looking to invest their time and money in organizations driving positive change. Both of these needs can be fulfilled by tapping into hidden talent populations such as Military Spouses, Opportunity Youth, Baby Boomers and Justice-Involved Individuals. Learn how brands have invested in social impact hiring: talent practices that create business advantage through hiring and developing individuals who often face barriers to opportunity. Find out how to source, hire, and retain these untapped, proven talent pools.
March 12, 2019, 11 am, JW Marriott Room 201
The Digital Economy Isn’t Just for the Young
Next For Me advisor Chip Conley speaks about his experiences which led to his highly acclaimed book “Wisdom at Work: The Making of a Modern Elder” and academy for mid-life transition The Modern Elder Academy.
With 5 generations in the workplace for the first time, we have the opportunity to create a delicious intergenerational potluck. However, our respective generational wisdom is almost in hermetically sealed containers with the wisdom trapped inside, like isolated countries that share a border but don’t necessarily trust each other. Breaking down these walls, there is just so much that we can all learn from each other. Based upon my experience as a Boomer in the land of the Millennials (Airbnb in Silicon Valley), I’m convinced that intergenerational wisdom exchange is the ultimate future workplace trade agreement.
This new collaboration may take the form of “mutual mentoring”: Millennial DQ (digital intelligence) for Boomer (and GenX) EQ (emotional intelligence). I experienced the benefits of this trade agreement as I evolved in my role at Airbnb while I was Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy and the in-house mentor for CEO and cofounder Brian Chesky. From my younger colleagues, I learned to love Google docs and create an Instagram account, but more importantly, I learned how to curate my life more adventurously as this generation is focused more on being “outwardly mobile” than “upwardly mobility,” more focused on experiencing the world than climbing the corporate ladder. They’ve helped me become a content and inspired “digital nomad” and break free of the chains of the three-stage life (learn, earn, retire).
