PPG’s MVP Business Solutions Conference Maps Out A Brighter Future

One of the most critical issues facing today’s boomer-dominated collision repair facility owner is dealing with a new generation of worker with very different values, and very different expectations from what the owner had at a similar age.

Learning to deal effectively with these generational differences was a key component of the PPG MVP Business Solutions Conference in San Diego, Calif.

“The theme of the conference was ‘Beyond Tomorrow,'” says Norm Angrove, senior manager, value-added programs for PPG. “A key component of that idea is that there are now four generations in the workplace.

“Most important, whether from an HR perspective or a customer perspective, the way we communicate and manage them is distinctly different.”

Keynote speaker Cam Marston walked attendees through the four distinct age groups that exist in the world today: the Matures, Baby Boomers, Generation X-ers, and the Millennials, also known as Generation Y.

“[Boomers] tend to associate their identity with their jobs,” offers Lianne Perissinotti, program manager, value-added programs, for PPG Canada. “For Gen Y, the value to them is based on their time, not necessarily getting ahead in the company. Time off is a real reward for them.”

“Cam Marston was absolutely spot-on,” says Mike Srigley of Sunshine Autobody in Langley, B.C. “He brought to life the differences in the generations, how people react to one another, and how we perceive them. I can think about my own employees and they fit into the groups perfectly. It really opened our minds on what we have to do with our marketing now.”