Rob Salkowitz – “Young World Rising”

Rob Salkowitz – Young World Rising

Best Years Behind
The bottom line is that the countries that have been the drivers of innovation and productivity for the past several centuries are running out of juice. An increasing percentage of the populations of Japan and Europe have their most productive years behind them–and their years of greatest healthcare costs ahead of them, or upon them. Even absent any other externalities, that situation creates enormous competitive challenges for any economy. (Salkowitz, p. 20)

Backward Compatible
Pre-digital generations tend to view digital technology and digital culture as disruptive–for good or for ill. Change is a problem to be solved. Digital generations accommodate pre-digital processes primarily out of courtesy to their elders, below it all, they suspect that their own methods would produce better results if not for the need to keep contact with the laggards who insist on following old rules that don’t fit the current situation. Contrary to the suggestions of some observers, Millenials are indeed “backward compatible” with traditional work cultures and work practices, especially when job opportunities are scarce, but organizations that find ways to empower them in full digital-native mode tend to get greater productivity, engagement, and loyalty in return. (Salkowitz, p. 36)

Bibliography

Salkowitz, Rob. Young World Rising: How Youth, Technology, and Entrepreneurship are Changing the World from the Bottom Up. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2010.