Multi-Generational Workforce

A Standardized Platform for Different Communication Styles and Preferences: Can it Work?

written by Alexandra Carballo Porto & Dr. Petra Wanner-Meyer  | December 9^th, 2024

“Groovy”, “trippin”, “bestie”, “yeet”, “cheugy”- Tell me, which of these words you identify yourself with and I will tell you which generation you belong to. Language is more than just a mere instrument for communication. It reflects whole generations. Baby boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z, Generation Alpha: The coming together of such diverse demographic clusters can be as rewarding as challenging.

While baby boomers embraced the arrival of new information and communication technologies to varying degress, later generations such as the millennials show a clear preference towards real-time communication within social media. Constantly online, switching from one app to another, changing screens frequently, swapping communication channels – this is almost natural and common place.

However, these different preferences and communication styles do not have to be an issue. A suitable platform for enterprise communications that combines all the tools for  digital communication (e-mail, chat, video call, etc.) as well as traditional telephony (phone calls, fax, boss-secretary feature) in one singular user interface facilitates understanding and removes barriers to communication between the generations.

May We Introduce our Multi-Generational Team?

Here is some context to the following interview: At our company, we have a tradition of sharing a quick coffee break at our cafeteria each and every Thursday morning. Everybody who has time is most welcome to join in. The following interview stems from an idea – one of very many - that prospered during this informal weekly meeting. Lukas has recently joined our marketing department. He chatted with Gisela, and was quite interested in the details of her story. Gisela is one of the most senior employees at innovaphone. She retired briefly a few years ago, just to decide that retirement was nothing for her. Their encounter resulted in a conversation between a baby boomer and a member of Generation Z, between a colleague who is new to the working world and a colleague with decades of professional experience. Two generations, two visions, two communication styles, but in perfect coexistence.

Asking Gisela:

How long have you been working at innovaphone?

I have been working here for 22 years, and have followed the development right from the start. Back i the day, we were 20 employees, two branch offices in Germany, and one in Sweden. Ever since its founding, the ompany has grown quite a bit.

What was your motivation to start working at innovaphone?

I wanted to work as a self-reliable accountant, that was my wish. Five minutes walking distance to the office sounded quite appealing, too.

How has the working world changed ever since you completed your apprenticeship?

I completed my accountant apprenticeship in the 70s - on a typewriter. Telefax, checks, tele-text machines: That was our daily business. The technical changes over time are astounding, phenomenal. Back then, you asked yourself: How can three people talk on the phone with each other simultaneously? Today, we cannot imagine a world without video conferencing, me included. 

What hasn’t changed?

Well, even with all the technological advancements - accounting is still accounting. Numbers are still numbers. The balance must be correct in the end. That is exactly what I like in my field. Also in my free time, for that matter: I love Sudokus and riddles.

I heard that, technically, you have been retired for 5 years. Why do you still work despite being retired?

I have the age but not the desire to quit. innovaphone is not just a family-run company, it is “family”. If you have problems, you can go to your superiors at any time. Whether they are the heads of a deparment or CEOs - they will help you to solve issues. It was like that 22 years ago and it’s like that today. I’ve also had a good working relationship in other companies, but this one is unique.

Quite a few years separate us. What do you think about multi-generational collaboration at innovaphone?

Easy as pie. Working with younger generations keeps me fit. I have already trained quite a few of our accounting team. Even though some are far better qualified than me, I have a lot of exoerience . We can all learn from each other. That’s teamwork. I do not like it if people keep their knowledge to themselves - how can a company benefit from such behavior?

You have experienced many changes: What was a positive development for you?

When I started my job, innovaphone was a start-up. Today, we are a mid-sized company. Many colleagues have been on board for quite some time. That is a positive indicator. innovaphone trains apprentices, and once they complete their apprenticeship, they receive job contracts. Many apprentices started with their career here, and I am very happy about that. Another positive aspect ist the digitization. I have to say, I am not afraid of trying out new paths. When an apprentice comes into my department, I like to show my way of working. However, I do like to get feedback - if they have a faster way, I am grateful if they show me. You have to move with the times and with new technologies.

What would your advice be if someone thinks about going back to work after retirement? Should they apply?

Absolutely! You need to be open to new things. You don’t always have to like them but at least accept them. Back then, they could have told me: "Gisela, you are done here - please stay at home." It did not happen, and I am still here.

Gisela’s Wisdom

"We all work because of the money. But if you prefer going inside the company building rather than leaving it, that’s what you want. When I come to work, that’s always how I feel."

Asking Lukas

Tell us something about yourself:

What do you take away from the interview with Gisela?

Her passion for accounting fascinated me. You can tell straightaway, that’s her thing. She also showed me, how important a good employer is. It makes such a difference when it comes to motivation and how it changes your mindset concerning work. If you are motivated, going to work does not actually feel like going to work. It also fascinated me to see how Gisela embraces new technologies. She uses them actively. Now that I work with myApps on a daily basis, I can imagine that the intuitive user interface of myApps makes quite a contribution.

How do you use Connect, the platform for multi-generational collaboration?

I use the app for pretty much everything. It is constantly open on my second screen. Meeting minutes, private messages, discussion: Absolutely everything takes place on Connect. No matter the age or position at innovaphone, we all use the app. I can participate in discussion just like anyone else, irrespective of age or deparment. What’s best: You get all the different points of view.

How long did it take for you to get accustomed to myApps?

I was already familiar with other social intranets, so I would say that it was easy for me. I did have some questions in the beginning but the numerous tutorial videos helped me with all the functions and apps. My new colleagues also supported me, so it went fast.

How do you like the options with Connect to follow hashtags, create user groups, benefit from bundled knowledge, connecting to the project management tool & more?

I use hashtags to quickly find discussions and to get organized. I like the interconnection between the two apps Connect and Projects, communication on certain projects or tasks is so much easier with it. I also use the AI-based machine translation within myApps.

Do you still write e-mails to colleagues? Are e-mails within the company a thing of the past?

Every once in a while, we still send e-mails, especially when we organize the meeting times but the difference to Connect messages is quite big. I am happy that innovaphone went this step to move away from e-mails. We now have a central and accessible platform. The distance to colleagues diminishes: Everything is centrally available. whether young or old, innovaphone veteran or newcomer, we are all part of the discussions. It is a change that truly enriches the workplace.

myApps is the Digital Workplace for a Multi-Generational Workforce

The myApps platform provides everything a multi-generational workforce needs: Digital collaboration with different communication channels, chat, conferencing, projject management, conventional telephony. All modern communication tools are accessible via one unified interface. Whether baby boomer or Generation Z - communication becomes a breeze.

By the way: If you ever feel "lost" - ask our integrated AI-based myApps Assistant. Test our assistant and ask what "yeet" means!