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facilitating & hosting

XYBOOM: An Intergenerational Conversation

I’m honoured to be involved in the design and co-facilitation of a unique one day conference on January 20th, 2012 in Vancouver called XYBOOM.

The day centres on the theme of how we can leverage the evolving workforce and create possibility through intergenerational conversation. Many groups are having conversations about youth unemployment, baby boomer trends, talent development, or intergenerational dynamics but many of these conversations are occurring in silos. XYBOOM is a chance to change that, to bring to life the wonderful saying “if it’s about us don’t do it without us”; to invite in the different generations to tap into the wisdom in the room.

We are inviting participants to come prepared with their burning questions about the opportunities that could be co-created for youth and business to work better together and how we might create workplaces free from ageism.

Here are some of the questions that have emerged during the planning team’s conversations:

  • What’s possible in a world when we have more talent than “jobs”? What is the future of meaningful work and income? What could work (or jobs) also be?
  • What are the world views on talent development, skills and workplaces of tomorrow that are shifting? What is our shared purpose? What opportunities can we co-create for youth to gain experience and skills needed in the workplace today and in the future?
  • What are the myths of the different generations? What does a workplace without ageism look like and how could we work better together?
  • How do we leverage each other’s perspectives and tackle youth unemployment/underemployment and the baby boomer exit?
  • How can we tap into the capacity of all the unemployed youth? What is the future like? How can it work out for all?
  • How do youth fit into today’s workplace? How can business open their doors to youth? How can youth and business work well together?
  • How can we as individuals connect and work better? Are our needs all that different?
  • Why does high unemployment for youth exist? What is really at stake?
  • How do we relate? What are the differences and sameness between generations in the workplace? How can we move from silos to collaboration and expand mutual understanding?
  • How can we shift the friction often felt between youth and business and find a sweet spot that can be grown and maintained?
  • How can we bridge the gaps between talent and meaningful work?
  • What is the future of employment?

What are your questions about the opportunities that could be co-created for youth and business to work better together and how we might create workplaces free from ageism?