The strategic planner and consultant from Ontario was the keynote speaker at Mawio’mi, the two-day aboriginal business forum hosted by the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band which opened in Corner Brook Wednesday.
An expert in identifying innovations and trends, Valiquette discussed how the business community should approach dealing with young adults in their workplaces. He said people in their late teens, early and late 20s have a different perspective on their expectations in life and what they believe older adults should expect of them.
While young people today are used to the immediacy of the digital age, are burdened with exorbitant student debt and tend to now make big life decisions such as finishing post-secondary schooling and starting families later in life, Valiquette said a large percentage of the latest generation are optimistic about their opportunities and have a thirst for entrepreneurship.
Employers, he noted, should be willing to encourage that entrepreneurial spirit in the young people they hire. In fact, he used the term “intrapreneurship” to refer to allowing younger employees the chance to express and explore their ideas.
Valiquette alluded to the inventor of the Post-It note, who was given an opportunity to explore an idea that, despite being initially turned down by his own company, was further developed into a successful venture on its own. The founder of Gmail, he added, had a similar inspiration and experience while working for Google.
To try and harness innovation and fresh ideas, Valiquette said employers should try to include younger people on their teams and committees and encourage older workers to work alongside the youth within their respective organizations.
Much like younger folks are setting the rules for and dictating the success of various social media, Valiquette said they are eventually going to do the same for the workplace. Companies should recognize that and take advantage where they can, even at the job advertisement stage, he advised.
“Young people have redefined the music store, the search tool and the social network,” said Valiquette. “They have had the Walkman and the credit card and the television redefined for them because they wanted it.
“So what’s next for our businesses? You’re either going to change or end up being changed.”
Twitter: @WS_GaryKean