Workshops on intergenerational cultural development

Challenges  

The “Baby Boomer Experience” is an innovative concept that helps younger bank employees to better understand older colleagues and customers and interact with them in a targeted manner. These workshops promote intergenerational understanding, which is particularly important in view of the shortage of skilled workers: the knowledge of older generations and their wealth of experience should be transferred efficiently in order to avoid knowledge loss, while retaining Generation Z in the company.  

Through targeted hypothesis formation, including three relevant sub-questions and subsequent validation with the baby boomers present, Valiant's Gen Z employees were empowered to question unconscious thought patterns and develop measures that ultimately promote smooth and appreciative collaboration with older colleagues and customers. A better understanding of the needs of older customers ultimately strengthens customer loyalty and the advisory skills of the purple talents, and secures the bank's potential to be perceived as an attractive employer in the long term.  

Methods used 

• Hypothesis formation 

• Presentation techniques 

Results 

The learners gained the following insights and skills from the “Baby Boomer Experience”: 

1. Understanding and empathy for older generations: They learned to better understand the perspectives and needs of older colleagues and customers. This helps them to establish more empathetic and effective communication.  

2. Self-reflection and recognizing thought patterns: By forming hypotheses and asking questions of baby boomers, learners were able to question unconscious thought patterns and break down prejudices. This promotes more open and constructive interaction. 

3. Developing joint strategies for collaboration: Learners developed measures to improve collaboration and knowledge exchange between generations. They recognize the value that older colleagues and their wealth of experience bring and understand how they can actively integrate this into their work.  

4. Strengthening customer loyalty and advisory skills: Understanding the needs of older customers helps learners strengthen their advisory skills and promote long-term customer loyalty, which contributes to the bank's attractiveness as an employer.    

In summary, the measures have not only promoted intergenerational understanding, but also contributed to the development of a reflective and appreciative approach, which is of great importance in view of the shortage of skilled workers and employer attractiveness.