On Hiring Teenagers and Young Adults

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A tale of two teenage employees… I walked into a restaurant and was served by a teenage employee who had an indifferent attitude. She didn’t even say, “Thank you.” Later that week I was at a different restaurant and was welcomed by a young employee with a smile and warm greeting. And, as I was leaving she smiled and thanked me for coming in.

When a teenager is hired, I’ll argue that the any positive attitude they have at work didn’t come from an employee training session. No, they had that positive attitude before they ever applied for the job. Bruce Nordstrom claims that at Nordstrom’s Department Stores the employees’ original training came from their parents, not the Nordstrom’s sales training program.

I’ve been fortunate to have several fabulous high school and college students work their summer internships with me. In the interviewing process it is so easy to spot the positive attitudes. Their enthusiasm is contagious and the pride in their work is to be admired.

This leads me into introducing Eric Chester, the recognized expert in hiring and motivating the young workforce. He has just announced a program called Bring Your “A” Game to work. If you hire teens or are a parent of teens, you must study this website: www.TheAGame.com.

An individual’s work ethic develops when they are young. They are influenced by their parents, friends and their first employers. This program helps kids develop a great work ethic and mindset. It sets them up for their future. As Eric says, “We would never allow a 16 year old to get behind the wheel of a car before they learn how to drive. We must also stop allowing teens into the workplace until after they have learned what is expected of them and how they can succeed. The “A” Game is going to become the driver’s ed for the work place.”

I’m plugging his website because I believe in his program. In most cases, the root of any employee delivering great customer service starts with the jobs they had as a teenager. Check out Eric’s program. Even if you don’t hire teens, the information is relevant to a workforce of any age. Again, the website is www.TheAGame.com.

Republished with author's permission from original post.

Shep Hyken
Shep Hyken, CSP, CPAE is the Chief Amazement Officer of Shepard Presentations. As a customer service speaker and expert, Shep works with companies who want to build loyal relationships with their customers and employees. He is a hall of fame speaker (National Speakers Association) and a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author.

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