Yay, Boomers! By virtue of our sheer numbers and temperament, we have re-defined and led change at every stage of our development. It should be no surprise we are also changing how we approach the nature and tenure of our work life, demanding a new paradigm to address a new reality. Boomers represent 27 percent of the population and almost half the workforce in Canada. Savvy businesses know the numbers and are learning how to recognize the risks and how to take advantage of the opportunities. A thought leader from Down Under is showing them how. Consultant, trainer, speaker, author Geoff Pearman established “Partners in Change” in response to a perfect storm— • aging demographics; • increasing health, vitality, and longevity; • boomersʾ obsessive attachment to independence and personal achievement; and • economic challenges that compel us to work longer. But are small- and medium-sized businesses ready for this perfect storm? Sadly, Geoff says many are not. Although there was much research, analysis, and commentary, there was no practical solution to help change traditional business practices and outcomes. Geoff has worked with over 80 companies, from large corporations to owners-operators in Australia and New Zealand; we can learn much from this Down Under pioneer. From Diversity to Strategy: Inclusion to Engagement Geoff’s strategy goes well beyond the typical diversity-awareness training and hiring targets. Understanding the emerging needs, issues, and incentives for an aging workplace and the risks and opportunities for a business requires careful analysis, a disciplined strategic process, and a commitment to cultural change and creative solutions. The solution must be grounded in good business strategy and bottom-line...
