the
innovative LEDGER
An e-Newsletter from The Innovative Edge™ Inc.
Vol.
7, No. 11 - November 2007
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Here's One for the Aged
By Jeff Govendo
A
recent BusinessWeek article (whose title, "We’re Not Finnished
With You Yet" qualifies for an appearance in the Names We
Like feature of this newsletter) described the special status
afforded older workers in Finland.
Finland,
one of the most prosperous nations most of us don't know much about,
like many other industrialized countries, is facing an increasingly
aging workforce. Forty percent of all Finns will reach normal retirement
age within the next 15 years. But instead of focusing only upon
the solvency of retirement programs and pension funds, Finnish companies
and the government are looking at ways to extend the productive years
of its workers, recognizing that the longer they remain employed,
the less strain on the system.
As
such, firms like the Abloy Company, a manufacturer of door locks and
entryway systems, has instituted programs designed to keep their older
workers happy and productive. Their “Age Masters” program,
for workers 55 years and older, offers extra paid vacation time, company-sponsored
golf outings, foreign language training and free massages.
(Free massages! Anyone interested in trading their Florida retirement
condo for nice little flat in Helsinki?).
But
it’s not simply preserving the retirement system, nor warm and
fuzzy feelings for seniors, that motivates the public and private
sectors to keep their more seasoned workers in the game. There
is also the realization that companies do well when they can harness
the skills and wisdom accrued over the years by their more seasoned
employees. While younger workers may bring to the floor more technical
savvy and, in most cases, greater physical stamina (even without the
massage), the gray-hairs possess the all-important gift of context
and perspective; a longer, broader view that undoubtedly serves the
company well when attempting to innovate and make important strategic
decisions.
The
age continuum, in fact, is an important consideration in determining
the diverse mix of people that can add so much to the ability of a
company to think creatively about tough problems or new opportunities.
As much as gender, ethnicity, educational background or job specialization,
longevity and experience in the field can be an important variable
to consider when selecting players for a project that requires creative
thinking and some innovative approaches.
And,
contrary to some stereotypes, the number of years logged does not
have to mean "stuck in their ways." In fact, some of the
nimblest, most free-wheeling thinkers I’ve met over the years
have been…shall we say...the more "mature" members
of teams I’ve worked with. That capacity, along with the sense
of perspective that comes from having been around awhile, is a pretty
potent combination for helping to achieve innovative outcomes.
So,
perhaps HR departments should be spending less on gold watches and
more on the kinds of perks that keep our experienced people on the
job a bit longer.
Like
those… say, did I mention anything about the massages?
