Scott Zimmer Speaker Biography
Generational Expert & Consultant
Scott Zimmer is a seasoned public speaker, writer and market researcher. With 12 years of public speaking experience, Scott Zimmer has developed a uniquely personable style and uses insight, humor, and data to foster an environment where every generation feels valued and understood.
Generational Expert
As a generational expert and Gen Xer, Scott’s keynotes clearly illustrate the stress points between these generations and provide clear solutions to help relieve tension and encourage better understanding and collaboration across generational divides.
Enthusiastic Educator
Scott Zimmer first got into public speaking by talking with students about personal safety on behalf of the Jacob Wetterling Foundation. He quickly realized that he loved speaking in front of people – not only because it was fun (even when talking about difficult things), but because he wanted to provide tangible take aways that could really help people.
Generation Xer
A child of the 80s and 90s, Scott has insider knowledge into what makes his generation tick. Sandwiched between the idealistic Boomers and innovative Millennials, his Xer lens allows him to hone in on the key challenges facing each generation.
Books
Scott’s research has been dedicated to the study of generational differences and his company has published the best-selling business books When Generations Collide: Who They Are. Why They Clash. How to Solve the Generational Puzzle at Work (HarperCollins) and The M-Factor (HarperBusiness). They have worked with clients varying from the AARP to MTV and over 30 Fortune 100 companies in between.
Education
Scott grew up on a dairy farm in Central Minnesota and has mastered the art of riding a lawnmower. He graduated from St. John’s University in 2000 with a BA in Communications. When he’s not researching or presenting, he enjoys his other role as a self-proclaimed movie-buff.
Scott Zimmer Speaking Topics
When Generations Connect: Communicating Across Generational Divides
Four distinct generations are working together shoulder to shoulder, each with a unique set of attitudes, values, and work styles. To become stronger as a team, it’s important to understand these inherent generational dynamics, discerning what motivates each generation and how they communicate is essential to overcoming barriers and capitalizing on strengths. Tapping into the power and perspective of each generation helps everyone feel empowered, valued, and understood. But are you equipped to convert this form of diversity from an obstacle to an opportunity? This session will explain who the generations are and the why behind their differences, address the stereotypes that can cloud our judgment, and present solutions to best engage every generation.
That Meeting Could Have Been an Email: Strategies for Effective Workplace Communication & Collaboration
Does it seem like you’ll never get through all the emails you receive in a day? Do have a strong suspicion that some of your colleagues don’t listen to voicemails you leave? Do you find it hard to get all your work done because of all the meetings in your calendar? If so, you’re not alone. Maintaining strong communication and collaboration between different generations in the workplace has always been a bit tricky, but today’s hybrid workplace has made it even more challenging. Diverse teams carry diverse communication and collaboration styles and preferences. While some feel that communication technologies like Zoom and texting offer greater efficiency and convenience, others are worried we’re losing the interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Some believe that an efficient, self-reliant approach gets the job done. Others value a more collaborative approach, seeking out different ideas and perspectives. These different approaches can often create confusion and frustration. Learning to work through these obstacles results in greater efficiency, robust teams, productivity, and a more positive workplace. This session explores how effective communication and collaboration benefits your company’s bottom line and creates a workplace where employees feel heard and valued.
Managing a Multi-Generational Team: Turning Generational Differences into Employee Retention
Different generations bring different expectations and life experiences to the workplace. This can be particularly challenging for managers attempting to lead teams comprised of workers from different generations. It’s not just about how to get the most out of your employees—it’s about making sure everyone has a fulfilling experience at work. With record numbers of employees leaving their jobs, retention has become a top priority for every organization today. Scott’s session will explore the top reasons different generations leave organizations for other opportunities, and what you can do to not only retain your top talent but give them the tools and support they need to excel in their jobs for years to come.
From Handshake to Hashtag: Selling and Marketing to Four Generations
To effectively reach customers or a broader targeted audience, it’s essential to understand them beyond their income, education, and spending habits. While these are indeed valuable factors, an often-neglected perspective is the generational lens. Understanding each generation’s behavior in the marketplace and how their unique needs play out in decision making is essential for selling and marketing to all generations. This session will help you learn what approaches and techniques appeal to each generation by offering hands-on advice for marketers and salespeople alike who want to reach a diverse demographic no matter the generation.
When Wealth Changes Hands
In the finance industry, the last thing you want is for wealth to change hands then walk straight out the door. So how can you retain clients with diverse expectations rooted in different generational backgrounds? When Wealth Changes Hands will teach you how to engage with clients across generations through a finance lens. Learning the position of each client’s financial outlook is a crucial part of relationship management, yet we find that many times professionals use the type of communication they prefer rather than what their client prefers. We’ll provide some practical tips to help you tailor your approach to suit Boomers, Xers, Millennials, and even Gen Z.
The Future of Trades and Manufacturing
While career opportunities abound in trades and manufacturing, many young people today are unaware of the possibilities. Over two million jobs are destined to go unfilled over the next decade, and the average manufacturing company is losing $4.6 million annually because of this skills shortage. We’ve found, however, that the generations topic has a role to play here. In this session, we’ll equip you with the insights you need to prepare your jobsite for the next generation of workers. We’ll discuss generational expectations for the workplace, Gen Z and Millennial recruiting strategies, and how to engage Xer and Boomer leaders.
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Scott Zimmer Videos
Scott Zimmer Articles
Scott Zimmer Speaker Testimonials
"Scott’s contribution and involvement with this year’s Summit definitely made the event unique and fun. It was a fantastic eye-opener to our workforce and was very applicable to our current work environment."
- | GE