One of the topic in our leadership team dinner in GZ is… Generation Y.

Why Generation Y?

Some simple statistics (if my memory serves me right). Generation Y makes up for 60% of the population in China. While in the US, they are about 20%. Coincidentally, our company also have similar statistics on our employees.

Different functions have different profiles. Marketing function proves to be the ‘youngest’ function. Gen-Y makes up for 80% of the function in China, and 40% in the US. It is followed by Market Research function, and then by Finance.

Given such a high percentage, obviously then it is important for us to understand the traits and characteristics of Gen-Y. How to handle employees. How to make a value proposition for consumers. Etc.

And as for me — my team consists of all Gen-Y except for three. Similarly, all are single except for four. Hehe… I am surrounded by Gen-Y. Even my baby is a Gen-Y!

So what about Gen-Y? This is nothing new, actually. A lot has been discussed in the media before. Like this older article from USA Today.

Do you know what they say about your generation, baby?

That you know what you want. You are goal-oriented. You speak up. Questioning everything. You want everything instant. Want to make important impact since day 1. You are tech savvy. Probably that’s why most of you are gadget freaks. If you’re not happy with something, either you challenge, or you leave. Staying and suffering in silence is never an option.

And you believe that the center of the universe is… you.

In a way, it might be true.