by Site Staff
June 22, 2007
The Net Generation is characterized by enhanced social interaction and immediate relevance to the individual at the time of need. Emerging social networking Web sites and applications such as Twitter and YouTube represent technologies that keep users updated, informed and in constant contact with friends, colleagues and co-workers.
Net Geners are accustomed to creating and interacting with online communities relevant to their interests — anything from photography and music to dating and shopping and, more importantly, learning and sharing information.
Net Geners bring an interactive ethos to the workplace and increasingly demand creativity, social connectivity, speed, openness, playfulness and instant access to answer job-related questions.
Attracting, engaging and orienting Net Geners requires chief learning officers to rethink every aspect of their corporate learning programs. From new-hire orientation to leadership development programs, greater flexibility and cohesion in delivery modalities are critical.
This principle and a desire to engage new hires from Day 1 is leading to an overhaul in Sun Microsystems’ new-hire orientation program. Karie Willyerd, Sun Microsystems vice president and chief learning officer, asked her team to design a comprehensive program that emphasized collaboration, communication and participation.
Because many new hires might begin working off-site from their first day, Willyerd’s desire to combine the best Web 2.0 technology with the company’s do-it-yourself culture already is enabling Sun new hires to quickly gain an understanding of how the company operates.
The five playful and engaging aspects of the Sun New-Hire Experience include:
Jeanne C. Meister is an author and independent learning consultant. She can be reached at editor@clomedia.com.