Local Professionals Attend Generation NeXt Seminar

Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com

BOWLING GREEN, KY-The Warren County Industrial Training Consortium--a partnership between the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, the Bowling Green Technical College, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the Western Kentucky University Division of Extended Learning & Outreach and several local companies--hosted a seminar titled Generation NeXt Goes to Work: Managing for Success in the Multigenerational Workplace on Friday, March 4, at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center.

"This seminar was a great opportunity for our local employers to learn about the differences in generations' work styles and how best to handle those differences," said Tammy Monday, president of the Warren County Industrial Training Consortium. "We hope everyone was able to take away some key insights about generations in the workplace."

Dr. Mark Taylor led the seminar, addressing cross-generational issues that employers may experience. Dr. Taylor emphasized the differences in generations' working habits, particularly those in what is termed "Generation Next" (those born between 1980 and 1994). Some of the issues he addressed were

• Improving cross-generational employee productivity
• Increasing workplace readiness of Generation Next
• Communicating realistic workplace expectations
• Building effective teams by understanding the strengths of different generations of employees

Dr. Taylor is recognized in the USA and Canada as an educator, expert, consultant and speaker who is at the forefront of transformations in education practice and workplace management. He has helped numerous schools, organizations and companies work more effectively with generational groups, particularly those in Generation Next. He has presented at state, regional, and national events, and consulted with business clients like 20th Century Fox, Wal-Mart, the University of Tennessee Hospital and the U.S. Army.

"The Chamber is pleased to have been a part of this seminar, and we thank the Bowling Green Technical College for helping to secure Dr. Taylor as a speaker," said Dan Preston, Chamber vice president, economic development. "Seminars like this are excellent training opportunities for our local business leaders, and we look forward to continuing to partner with the Warren County Industrial Training Consortium on future events."

"Supporting the Industrial Training Consortium is another way that the Chamber provides value to the business community. The Consortium gives cost-sharing opportunities for training and offers high quality seminars like Dr. Taylor's presentation and our Managing Up seminar in 2010," said Rodney Rogers, 2011 Chamber Board of Directors chairman.

The Warren County Industrial Training Consortium was developed in 2004 as a way for companies to share training costs and be more competitive for state training grants. It is governed by a board consisting of industry leaders, Chamber administrators, and educational institutions. The WKU Center for Training & Development and the Bowling Green Technical College administer the program in partnership with the Chamber.  In addition to classroom instruction, noncredit online courses are offered through the WKU Continuing Education office.  This instruction platform provides options to the membership for training at their own schedule.

About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce:
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.