ACUP+ Lesson: Understand the Different Generations
The Association of College and University Printers (ACUP+) conference started off strong earlier this month with Cal Poly Professor Ken Macro giving one of his signature high-speed, humorous keynote presentations that had everyone in stitches. His focus was enlightening attendees on how to effectively work with employees from different generations, each with their own styles and needs.
Macro, a former in-plant manager, went over characteristics of each of the five generations that will be making up in-plant teams within the next decade: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, GenZ, and the incoming Gen Alpha (often called “the iPad generation,” because they are never seen without one).
“How do we all learn to get along?” Macro asked. The answer, he said, is to respect every individual and make sure they each have a path to grow and thrive within your operation. Listen to those in other generations rather than giving them an “O.K., Boomer” dismissal. To help the ACUP+ audience (who hailed from four different generations) understand each other, Macro listed traits from each generation.
- Boomers: They are hardworking, motivated, productive, ambitious, entrepreneurial, and have a strong work ethic.
- GenX: They tend to be flexible, informal, skeptical, cynical, independent, and value a work-life balance.
- Millennials: They are enthusiastic, tech savvy, entrepreneurial, opportunistic, and self-confident. They value periodic feedback on their performance. Acknowledge their strengths and reward them, preferably in PTO. Respect their work-life balance goals.
- GenZ: They are optimistic, purpose-driven, collaborative, and team-oriented. They prioritize flexibility over traditional job structure. Social impact matters to them. Provide them with structure and periodic feedback. Monitor their screen time, since most of their communication is through texts and social media. Avoid micromanaging but encourage dialog. And be aware that GenZ members often suffer from depression, low self-esteem and anxiety.
Ken Macro gave the opening keynote at ACUP 2025.
Macro went on to list five trends reshaping the work landscape:
- New behaviors fostered by social media and the web.
- A technological shift towards cloud computing, AI and collaborative tools.
- A workforce that spans multiple generations, each with unique attitudes and expectations.
- Mobility in work: the ability to work anytime, anywhere.
- Proximity: a world where geographical boundaries are increasingly irrelevant.
Macro’s keynote address was followed by three days of sessions, networking, exhibit hall visits and an in-plant tour. Watch for more coverage in the days ahead.
Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.
