Cell phone co-dependence—and reliance on technology in general—seems to be both a strength and weakness for Gen Y.
The look of distress on my 26-year-old friend's face said something was terribly wrong. And it was: “My cellphone is broken,” he said. “I've lost all my numbers.” To a Gen Y like me, losing your cellphone is worse than being forced to download music through a dial-up connection. I know, because I once lost my cellphone while traveling and couldn't call my mom or my wife for two days. I didn't know their numbers — they were speed dial No. 1 and speed dial No. 2.
Cellphone co-dependence — and reliance on technology in general — seems to be both a strength and weakness for Gen Y. On one hand, cellphones give us real-time access to our friends, family, and employers, and, of course, to all-important sports updates. We also rely on our phones to keep track of critical e-mails, birthdays, appointments, passwords, ideas, pictures, and much more. On the other hand, we take our cellphones everywhere. It's not unusual to see a Gen Y talking, texting, or surfing the Web in places they shouldn't — business meetings, weddings, funerals, and even bathrooms.
Here's a simple list of cellphone Do's and Don'ts for Gen Ys in the work force. Feel free to post this list in your company's break room or e-mail the list to your Gen Y employees, so they can read it… on their cellphones.
Gen Y Cellphone Do's and Don'ts
Do
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Back up your cellphone weekly. This regular back up will save you the embarrassment of losing your mom's phone number.
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Get insurance on your cellphone. Insurance is pretty cheap and can save you a bundle given the high cost of cellphone replacement.
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Set your cellphone to automatically spell check all outgoing e-mails and text messages. This is especially important if you're corresponding with your boss. And for bosses: You know you've received a text message from someone not in Gen Y when they spell out all the words.
Don't
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Talk, text, or surf the Web during business meetings. It's rude, unprofessional, and people notice — even when you're typing on your cellphone under the table. Instead, turn off your phone before meetings and opt for the much cooler effect of turning on your phone after a meeting and hearing 12 “bings” as your messages appear.
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Record a voice mail greeting with Metallica, 50 Cent, or your crazy best friend blaring in the background. It makes you sound like a rebellious pre-teen. This is particularly important if you're over 24 and still living at home.
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Talk on your cellphone when using your company bathroom. One of my corporate clients told me that he recently overheard a Gen Y new hire talking on his cellphone in a restroom stall — and the phone was set to speaker!
Jason Ryan Dorsey is The Gen Y Guy™. His keynotes and seminars teach business leaders how to build Gen Y employee loyalty and performance while bridging all four generations in the workplace. Jason has appeared on “60 Minutes,” “20/20,” “The Today Show,” and “The View.” His new book is entitled My Reality Check Bounced!
