Ageism in the workplace: Are you missing opportunities?
Business networking opportunities can maximise your potential
There is no doubt that robust conversations can heighten our awareness of issues that face individual service providers, business owners, professionals and communities. It is for that reason that we have invited our two guest speakers to our online business networking event 31st May.
Hunter Leonard of Silver and Wise to speak at an upcoming event. Hunter is the author of several books and his latest book “Maturity Blues” insights provides into how mature individuals take control of their life, be valued and prosperous. He is on a mission to tackle issues of ageism at all levels and highlight the need to embrace a more mature world at work. Conversations with governments, organisations and individuals, have highlighted the need for us to consider the future of work .
When we turn to the internet we find:
“Age discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably, or not given the same opportunities as others in a similar situation, because he or she is considered to be too old or too young. The Age Discrimination Act 2004 (ADA) prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of age.”
Relevance of mature business owners in the current environment
When I asked Leigh Powell, Business Mentor and Strategist at YTM, what his thoughts are in regard to current society, he responded:
“The “law of diminishing returns” be damned.
Think petrol tank (or now electric battery), as the fuel (charge) runs down the distance left to travel reduces.
Now think businessperson and business model, as they age does their skill and experience become less relevant in the current day!”
Hopefully not, but there are pressures out there that seek to make this true. For example,
the need to embrace continuous learning,
digital competency,
adapting to rapidly changing markets and customer needs…..is not well serviced by yesterday’s solutions or a rinse and repeat business model.
Adapt to change
The risk being that your proposition could be seen to be stale and irrelevant and will be lashed by the law of diminishing returns as your customers adapt to change and develop different needs and seek a more contemporary solution provider.
Leigh then posed the following questions:
Q: How do you go about defeating the law of diminishing returns?
Q: How do you measure and check your relevance, how contemporary or forward looking you are, to ensure your purpose remains on point and your solutions meet the emerging problems of customers?
A: Let’s legislate a new law, the “law of open-minded curiosity”
As The Network Catalyst and founder of Your Time Matters, I spoke with Hunter on the Conversations and conversations to amplify and inspire podcast who told me from his research, ageism is rife, and he was talking about discrimination of those in their 40’s and 50’s (not only 60’s and 70’!) when it came to employment opportunities or perceived relevance, for example.
He also makes the point that skill building doesn’t have to only lead to a linear stepped career as the experiences and the people you meet along the way can you take you in a very different direction if you embrace it, yet still allow you to leverage your skills for shared and better outcomes.
Leverage and grow
So I asked Leigh and I ask you-
Q: But how could you set the stage for Hunters proposition of opening the mind to leveraging and growing your experience more?
Q: And why draw these 2 concepts together of ageism (including discrimination and perceptions of self-worth) and running a business in an environment of continuous change?
Leigh’s response: “I think there are 5 smart things a business owner can do to defeat the law of diminishing returns and demonstrate to all around them that maturity fed by experience trumps any number on a birthday card.
First, (convince yourself) record and celebrate those things that you have done well, not so well, customers you have won and lost, formal and informal learning & training, those who have influenced you, skills built working for others……. This is your brag sheet, your worth, your value to others.
Second, check your business model now to ensure all the value (brag sheet) you bring is out and proud in your proposition (and your pricing).
Third, superimpose your business model on the changing/future needs of your customers (ask them). Is there alignment or misalignment? What changes in proposition or market do you need to make?
Fourth, armed with the above, who is it that I can partner or collaborate with so that my 1 + their 1 = 3?
Fifth, where is it I can bring influence and change in the community and who is it that I can seek guidance from to make this happen. “What’s in it for them, before me”
Doing all 5 of these, demonstrate you are able to leverage your hard-earned experience and invert the law of diminishing return for yourself and those around you!”
I would also like to know ... How do you or will you go about defeating the law of diminishing returns?
Would you like to join us for more robust conversation on 31st May and also hear from Managing Director of Fitted for Work, Donna de Zwart?
Donna is the Managing Director, Fitted for Work | Speaker & Advocate | Helping women experiencing disadvantage get work, keep work and strive at work
She understands from a personal perspective how important it is not only for a woman to experience the dignity that work brings, but also how employment impacts family, the wider community and the growth of the Australian economy and society as a whole.
Benefit from insights and learn how they have taken action to improve employment opportunities for women of all ages. Register for our events here
