Language of the New Generation

It is clear that the youngest generation entering the workforce has different communication experiences, and companies are beginning to see the results incorporated into work-related communication methods. The newest generation, also known as (AKA) millenials, has always had access to a cellular phone, an internet connection, and digital music using an MP3 player. Text messaging has replaced the phone conversation as the preferred method of communication among millenials. What impact will texting have on the Language of the New Generation? Will the current workforce of baby boomers (1946-1964), Generation Xers (1965-1976), and Generation Yers (1977-1990) be able to understand what the millenials (1991 and later) are communicating? Or will the term generational moment become common terminology in the workplace? Generational moment is defined as when a person engages in a method of communication with someone from another generation and does not understand what the other person is communicating. For example, a boomer boss receives a message from a millenial after a meeting that reads, txs gr8 db8 cu l8r.

This presents a unique challenge but it also creates new opportunities for using a variety of communication approaches. This has certainly happened before as previous generations incorporated new language into business communication. However, over the past ten years the rapid changes in technology have created enormous communication differences. Millenials are accustomed to communicating using various social media such as FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube. These are the tools of the next generation of employees and HR would be foolish to ignore it.

Currently, the Human Resource (HR) profession uses acronyms to abbreviate common phrases and terms. For instance, HRD refers to Human Resource Development; ADDIE refers to Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation; ISD refers to Instructional Systems Design; and ALT refers to Adult Learning Theory. The use of acronyms has the potential to save time and money for the employee and the company. In addition, it has the potential to attract tomorrow's workforce to the company that best incorporates these communication tools. Team 1 purposes that a company can save time and money by incorporating the common millenial communication abbreviations and symbols into traditional business communication.

Purpose - Objectives - Behavioral Indicators

Purpose

This course is designed to provide the participant with the basic knowledge of common acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols used by the millennial generation to communicate via text messages and email communication. This course will enable the participant to gain skills to communicate with the millennial generation using text messaging and email communication.

Objectives

Identify common acronyms that are used in the Human Resource profession.
Analyze abbreviations used by the millennial generation in text messages and email communication.
Recognize symbols used by the millennial generation in text messages and email communication.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating the use of abbreviations and symbols in business communication.

Behavioral Indicators

Incorporate common acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols used by the millennial generation in text messages and email communication.
Respond properly to communication received from the millennial generation.

Human Resource Acronyms

The human resource profession if full of acronyms that people use in writing and conversation, and it is important to know what those acronyms stand for. Acronyms are used in order to abbreviate names or phrases. Here are some common acronyms:

A: AAR - After Action Review ADDIE - Analysis, Design, Development, Implement, Evaluate (SAT or ISD) AL - Accelerated Learning ASTD - American Society for Training and Development

B: BLT - Baseline Test BST - Basic Skills Trainer BSP - Business Sponsored BTAIM - Be that as it may

C: CAI - Computer Assisted Instruction CAUSED - Can they do it, do they have a positive Attitude, is it Useful to them, are they Skilled in it, do they have similar Experience, is it Different. CBI - Computer Based Instruction CAL - Computer Assisted Learning CBT - Computer Based Training or Competency Based Training CETA - Cost Effective Training Analysis CMP - Course Management Plan CMS - Courseware Management Systems COTS - Commercial Off-The-Shelf CRI - Criterion Referenced Instruction

D: DMP - Data Management Plan DR - Design Review DT&E - Developmental Test and Evaluation DTP - Detailed Test Plan

E: ECR - Electronic Classroom ELO - Enabling Learning Objective ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning EOD - End Of Discussion EOL - End Of Lecture EOM - Exercise Object Model EPSS - Electronic Performance Support System ERIC - Educational Resources Information Center ET - Embedded Training; Evaluation Tool

F: FAT - Final Acceptance Testing FEA - Front End Analysis FOJT - Formal On-the-Job Training FTX - Field Training Exercise

G: GIGO - Garbage In, Garbage Out GTA - Graphical Training Aid GUI - Graphical User Interface (pronounced goo-ey)

H: HPT - Human Performance Technology HR - Human Resources HRD - Human Resource Development HRM - Human Resource Management

I: I&D - Integration and Development I&KP - Instructor and Key Personnel ICDR - Initial Critical Design Review ICW - Interactive Courseware IDT - Integrated Development Team IDs - Instructional Designers IG - Instructor Guide ISD - Instructional System Development ISD/SAT - Instructional Systems Development/Systems Approach to Training ISPI - International Society for Performance Improvement IT - Instructional Technology ITP - Individual Training Plan ITS - Integrated Training System or Individual Training Standard

J: JA - Job Aid JITT - Just-In-Time Training

K: KA - Knowledge Acquisition KAS (KSA) - Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid KITA - Kick In The Ass (a motivational method) KM - Knowledge Management

L: LCMS - Learning & Content Management System LMS - Learning Management System LG - Lecture Guide LO - Learning Objective LRC - Learning Resource Center

M: M&S - Modeling and Simulation MBTI - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator MINIEX - Mini-EXercise MOP - Measure Of Performance MPA - Motivation Problem analysis

N: NA - Needs Assessment NIS - Not In Specification NLP - Neuro-Linguistic Programming NSPI - National Society for Performance and Instruction

O: OJT - On-the-Job Training OOBE - Out-Of-Box Experience OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration OTM - One Time Measure

Common Abbreviations Used in Text Messages

The websites netlingo.com[1] and webopedia.com[2] have a complete listing of common abbreviations or acronyms used by millennials in text messages. Here are some of the more common ones:

A: A3 - Anytime, anywhere, anyplace AA - As above AAF - As a matter of fact AAK - Asleep at keyboard AAK - Alive and kicking AAMOF - As a matter of fact AAMOI - As a matter of interest AAP - Always a pleasure AAR - At any rate

B: B - Back B2W - Back to work B9 - Boss is watching B/G - Background (personal information request)B4 - Before B4N - Bye for now

C: CMIIW - Correct me if I'm wrong CMON - Come on CNP - Continued (in) next post COB - Close of business COS - Because CR8 - Create CRB - Come right back

D: DM - Doesn't matter DN - Down DNC - Do not compute (meaning I do not understand) DNR - Dinner (SMS)DNT - Don't

E: EIP - Editing in progress EMA - E-mail address EMFBI - Excuse me for butting in EMSG - E-mail message ENUF - Enough EOD - End of day EOD - End of discussion EOL - End of lecture

F: FISH - First in, still here FITB - Fill in the blank FOMC - Falling off my chair FOMCL - Falling off my chair laughing FRT - For real though FTBOMH - From the bottom of my heart FTW - For the win FUBAR - Fouled up beyond all recognition FUBB - Fouled up beyond belief FW - Forward FWIW - For what it's worth FYEO - For your eyes only FYA - For your amusement FYI - For your information

G: G - Grin G - Giggle G/F - Girlfriend G2CU - Good to see you G2G - Got to go G2R - Got to run GA - Go ahead GAS - Got a second? GB - Goodbye

H: H2CUS Hope to see you soon HAGN Have a good night HAGO Have a good one HAND Have a nice day HB Hurry back H-BDAY Happy Birthday HBU How about you? HF Have fun

I: IAC In any case IAE In any event IANAL I am not a lawyer IB I'm back IC I see ICAM I couldn't agree more ICBW It could be worse ICEDI I can't even discuss it IDC I don't care IDK I don't know IDTS I don't think so IDUNNO I don't know IG2R I got to run

Learning the Language Activity

Purpose

This activity is designed to help participants become familiar with terms that will be used in the training session.

Time

10 minutes

Number of Participants

unlimited

Materials/Preparation

On plain paper, list ten HRD acronyms that are related to the subject of the training. Between the words, leave space in which participants can write. Make enough copies for each participant to have one.
Write the definitions for the acronyms on individual pieces of flip chart paper and post around the room.
Provide paper and pencils for each participant.

Note: This activity can be made more challenging by posting more definitions than there are acronyms on the list.

Directions

As participants arrive, give each an acronym list.
Explain that there are definitions for the acronyms posted around the room.
Tell participants to find the definitions that match the acronyms on their lists and write them down.
Tell them to do this activity before the training starts.

Processing the Activity

Welcome participants to the training.
Explain that the words on the handouts they received when they arrived are part of the vocabulary of the training.
Tell them that they will have the opportunity to check their answers as the training progresses.

Learning the Language Activity

Directions: You have just taken a job at an HR consulting firm. You are instructed to review the Personnel Policies Handbook. The only problem is that there are a number of HR acronyms that you do not recognize. Select the best choices for these acronyms from the definitions posted around the room. Write in the spaces provided.

CAUSED –
BEER –
DUMBER –
IDEAL –
LB –
MOP –
SQ3R –
SMARTER –
TEA –
YAFA –

Lost in Translation Activity

Purpose

This activity offers participants an introduction to the subject matter in the training.

Time: 15 minutes
Materials: Pen/pencil, handout

Directions

Tell participants that most of them have had some personal experience using acronyms either in business or personal communication.
Tell the participants that they just received an email from his/her supervisor. Ask participants to translate the following email into standard business communication.

The following is an example of an email message that a millenial may send to a co-worker:

BTW, 1st, I’d like 2 congratulate every1 4 doing a GJ this wk on getting the AAR’s returned 2 me so that we can complete the CETA. Those of U who haven’t returned them, pls DIN & get it 2 me ASAP. If UR having issues or just have a Q or 2, PCM. The FOJT is still TBA, BTAIM UR still required to leave 121008 and 121408 open JIC.

OATUS, some of U have been having issues logging onto our PDN through our new NUIS. If the prob persists, pls send UR SN 2 our OTS to ensure things R running properly. EOD!

Finally, s/o decided 2 AWOL after last weeks FTX , so we are asking that every1 pls review the SOP and take a BLT to ensure that you have the KSA’s. TIA. HAND.

NetLingo Bingo Activity

Purpose

This activity is a game that involves participants in a review of the material.

Time

15 minutes

Number of Participants

Fifteen

Materials/Preparation

A list of phrases that correlate with the answers on the lingo cards. Cut out the phrases and put in a small container, basket, or hat.
Lingo cards with abbreviations
Poker chips or pennies for markers
Small prizes

Directions

Tell the participants that they will be playing a version of Bingo.
Explain that you will read a phrase and they will use poker chips or pennies to mark the answer on their cards.
Tell them that they can call Lingo when they have a full line across, or up/down.
Review the answers of the winner and award a prize.

Processing the Activity

Ask participants whether learning is enhanced by using a game format.

Emoticons Activity

Purpose: This activity offers participants an introduction to “emoticons” the subject matter in the training.

Time: 10 minutes

Materials: Pen/pencil, handout

Directions

Tell participants that most of them have had some personal experience identifying emotions that are interjected into business or personal communication. Explain that in order to better gauge the context of communication, it is often helpful to understand the emotions behind the communication.
Tell the participants that they just received an email that had the following emoticons. Ask participants to translate the emoticons to determine what emotions are being expressed.

Emoticons

:-!
:-{
:-S
:-e
0|-)
:-)))
:-V
:-y
:^)
8-O
%OD
:-T
:-`|
:-1
,-)
*<)
:o)	
%-6
(-)
:-"
M:-)

Processing the Activity

Ask participants to reflect on the importance of being aware of the emotions of employees and co-workers.

Resources

Authors

Jenae Richburg
Ola Awosika
Craig Donahue
Sandra Mock Myers