Harrington to Present at the Vermont Human Resource Association on the Millennial Generation Worker
Leadership Speaker and Author Set to Address the Vermont HR Association about the Largest Generation of Workers in the Workplace
Fine Tuning your employees’ acumen
around engagement and effectiveness
Strategically Understanding and Maximizing the Strengths of the
Millennial Generation for the Future of the Workplace 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Experts suggest that by 2020 the millennial generation (1980-2001) will make up over 50% of our workplace and 75% of the global workforce by 2030. It is imperative that today’s organizations, especially those in the HR/People role, discover new ways to excite and engage this generation and harness the raw talent that they bring to the table. How do we begin to strategically build a workplace culture that encourages Millennials to engage, lead and, in turn, stay in our organizations? This workshop sheds some light on new and innovative ways to build a strong, inter-generational workforce for the future.
Matthew Harrington, Performance Strategy Consultant,
New Directions, an Innovative Leadership Firm Located in Bennington, Vermont
Transforming the Way We Work: New Rules of Engagement 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
In a world of increasing demand and diminishing resources, people are working more hours, spending more time outside of work tethered to digital devices, and taking less time to reflect, renew and prioritize. As a result, they’re increasingly exhausted, overwhelmed and disengaged. It’s not a sustainable way of working for individuals or for organizations. By intentionally investing in meeting employees’ core energy needs, organizations can fuel sustainable high performance. “The vast majority of us desire to actualize our best selves at work and home, though we often find it difficult to do so. This work meets people where they are, without judgment, and provides them with exemplary tools to help them achieve their goals and dreams.”
Catherine Holly,
Senior Facilitator, The Energy Project
Adjunct Anthropology Professor, The University of Vermont and Saint Michael’s College
Unlock Your Potential: Basics of Emotional Intelligence 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is vital to being an effective and high-performing member of any team. In this workshop you will become familiar with a proven EI model. You will gain insight and tools that you can apply to make your life and career more satisfying and successful.
Ryan Polly, Senior Learning and Development Specialist,
The University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont
Lunch 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Stress Management through Mindfulness 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Experience a variety of stress management and mindfulness techniques to see which ones fit your style. Learn why they work from a cognitive and neuroscience perspective so that you can build these strategies into your workday and encourage those around you to do the same. Engage your senses to become more aware of what IS in the present, rather than spending time reflecting on the past or worrying about the future. Take this opportunity for fun, reflection, and stretching (both mental and physical)!
Amy Holibaugh, Learning & Development Specialist, Organizational Development,
The University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont
How to Reduce Meeting Time By Up To 50%! 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Six Thinking Hats is a problem solving tool and idea generator that uses a method called Parallel Thinking. The measurable results from utilizing this method of include:
- Shorter meetings
- Thorough decisions
- Easier priority setting
- Fluid problem solving
- Increased participation and involvement
- Effective problem definition and resolution
Studies have shown that individuals and teams trained in the Six Hats method experience a five-fold increase in the quantity and quality of their thinking and reduce meeting times by fifty percent. Come learn how to think differently and be more productive when tasked with making group decisions. This is an interactive workshop. Be prepared to participate!
Leslie Schreiber, M.Ed., Training Consultant,
Schreiber Training, A Learning and Development Company
Panel of Companies Discussing Best Training Practices 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Stephanie Lowe, Director of Talent Development, Seventh Generation
- Jessica Sabick, Training Manager, Vermont energy Investment Corporation
- Jillian Torres, Director of Change Management and Organization Development, Agency of Human Services
- Pamela VanDeWeert, HR Generalist, Country Home Products
- Justin Worthley, Vice President, Human Resources, Burton Snowboards
Matthew Harrington, leadership speaker and author specializing in the Millennial generation (1980-2001), will present for the Vermont Human Resource Association at their program “Fine Tuning Your Employees' Acumen around Engagement and Effectiveness” on January 21, 2015 in Colchester, Vermont at the Hampton Inn.
Harrington’s presentation titled, Strategically Understanding and Maximizing the Strengths of the Milllennial Generation for the Future of the Workplace, will focus on strategies to utilize an organization’s aging workforce and develop skills to prepare the new workforce. The 2015 year marks what experts suggest will be the year that the Millennial generation will become the largest demographic in the workplace. The Millennial Generation has become infamous for their lack of loyalty to organizations, their familiarity with technology and their need for affirmation and involvement. Current reports say that the Millennial generation represents approximately 93 million people and will become 75% of the workforce by 2030.
“It is imperative that today’s organizations, especially those in the HR/People role, discover new ways to excite and engage this generation and harness the raw talent that they bring to the table,” states Harrington. “The Millennials get a bad rap for being lazy or entitled, but I don’t believe that’s the majority of them. Millennials bring technological prowess, as well as great team building skills to the workplace. They are curious, hard workers, great problem solvers, but they may require different incentives or engagement compared to other previous generations of workers. This presentation will focus on how we can begin to strategically build a workplace culture that encourages Millennials to engage, lead and, in turn, stay in organizations.”
Co-author of Survival of the Hive: 7 Leadership Lessons from a Beehive and considered an up-and-coming dynamic trainer and speaker, Harrington is a subject matter expert on social media, social learning, the Millennial generation, and new forms of leadership within the workplace. Harrington’s unique ability to work on both sides of the leadership spectrum between senior leadership, managers and young professionals provides eye-opening trainings and talks for all generations. Harrington is a business partner at New Directions, an innovative leadership and team-building firm that works with companies like Keurig Green Mountain, Alcoa Manufacturing and Coca-Cola. For more information on Harrington visit www.GrowingMillennialLeadership.com.
The Vermont Human Resource Association (VHRA) is Vermont's oldest and largest association devoted to Human Resource professionals of all levels. Through monthly networking events, workshops and seminars, VHRA provides information and educational resources HR professionals need to stay at the forefront of their profession.
For over 30 years New Directions has believed in using our brain power and talent to create and enhance leadership potential in all levels of organizations. With a vision to create a firm that partners with organizations to increase leadership and strategy, while also providing professional development courses, New Directions offers services in leadership, team-building, and organizational health. We are in pursuit of leadership excellence. Some of our recent clients include Keurig Green Mountain, Coca-Cola, Alcoa, Clark Art Institute, Crane Currency, Health Association of New York State (HANYS) and the Bennington Rescue Squad. For more information on New Directions visit www.ThinkNewDirections.com.
United States