Presentation slides from the Front End of Innovation Conference in Boston May 2009. The presentation given by two motivated, young professionals from General Mills/ Birds Eye Foods and Kimberly Clark - Geoff Zoeckler and Katie Kraus. The duo talked passionately about what is needed in the work place to best utilize your young talent specifically towards innovation efforts. Geoff Zoeckler has continued some of the discussion on his blog http://generationinnovation.blogspot.com

1. WHY WON’T YOU LET ME INNOVATE? Engaging Young Professionals in Innovation Katie Kraus and Geoff Zoeckler Front End of Innovation May 2009

2. The Next 45 Minutes Millennials…So What?(5) Audience Polling (5) Ways to Engage (10) 3 Things I’m Bringing Back to the Office (10) Summary, Q&A (15)

3. MILLENNIALS…REASONS TO CARE There are a lot of us Millennials 13-31 (~born 1978 to 1995) Boomers: 45-63 (~born 1946-1964) We’re entering the workforce while the Boomers are phasing to semi-retirement We’re different, but we care We won’t take “no” for an answer We spend, and will spend, lots of money We talk to each other Innovation = StimulusDiversity/Fear (Doug Hall)

4. What Makes Us Millennial? Shift from the Industrial to Information Age STEEP Impacts During our Formative Years Social networking mainstream, Diversity = Normal Tech Native (Multi-tasking) Environmentally Conscious Economics: Booms….and bust Politics: Bush to Obama Boomer parents told us we could do anything and we’re ready for our “rendezvous with destiny”

5. For More Information on Millennials www.iconoculture.com Journal of Managerial Psychology Vol 23, No 8 www.generationsatwork.com Your local Millennials Facebook

6. MILLENNIALS ENTER THE FRONT ENDHelp us All!

7. ENGAGING MILLENNIALSShare the Need – Give us a Reason Because we can do anything, we won’t just do a job, we need to understand the ‘why’ Share the consumer need Paint the background picture Tell us how our actions fit within the company’s mission statement and strategies

8. ENGAGING MILLENNIALSBe a Role Model We’ve been used to working in teams, and want mentors to show us how to implement our ideas Push us to understand how our idea relates to consumers Encourage us to question previous assumptions Give us suggestions for possible first steps to test our idea Create a Dialogue! Become a sounding board for ideas/thoughts.

9. ENGAGING MILLENNIALSGreenhouse Our Ideas NO “Yes, But…” Our ideas stem from our experiences and can be good building blocks when allowed to grow Encourage back and forth idea building ie. Instant Messenger Change your reactions: Yes…and…, How might we…, Interesting… have you thought about Allow for sub-conscious noodle time

10. ENGAGING MILLENNIALSReward The Brave Sharing ideas takes bravery, and we’re used to constant positive reinforcement Give us creative spotlight with management to share our ideas Reward us with exposure via high priority projects or lunch with senior leaders Send simple emails – Nice Job, Great Work, Very Impressive… Grant days off for special achievements

11. ENGAGING MILLENNIALSBreak the Box Get Me Out of Here The Millennial Mantra: What’s good for me = good for everyone Give access to ‘on the go’ technologies Ie. Blackberry, laptops, web access to email Expect me to spend time out of the office Build a creative space at work Reconsider the formal dress code Encourage flexible work arrangements

12. 1 2 3 ENGAGING MILLENNIALS IN THE FRONT ENDTHREE ACTIONS YOU’LL TAKE BACK

13. ENGAGING MILLENNIALSOur Final Words Share the Need Be a Role Model Greenhouse our Ideas Reward our Bravery Help us Break out of the Box