Building Profitable Relationships Across Generations
Imagine living in an unfamiliar city with no friends or professional contacts with only $37 to your name and having just quit an unfulfilling job as a government contractor.
This is exactly where Misti Burmeister found herself at the age of just 24. After literally picking herself up off the ground, she saw two choices: sit there and wallow or stand up and do something. What happened next? She spent the next six months conducting more than 150 informational interviews and in the process discovered her passion – generational diversity in the workplace. Born out of her own experiences with generational differences, she began to realize what an important issue this would (and has) become. As "Boomers" begin retiring and organizations begin competing in the war for talented young professionals, they are shocked to realize that these young professionals ("Bloggers") are entering the workforce in much lower numbers than previous generations. Burmeister saw an opportunity to help companies and their people learn to navigate the generational divide – and retain bloggers, known for changing jobs almost as easily as they change shoes. So at age 25, she started Inspirion Inc. to make a difference.
Through Inspirion, Burmeister coaches both Fortune 500 companies and government agencies to align their individual contributors with the organization's vision and mission, ensuring better success in the recruitment and retention of diverse talent. As CEO of Inspirion Inc., a Virginia-based, woman-owned consulting company, she is dedicated to increasing organizations' profits and productivity across multi-generational workforces through customized leadership development programs, executive coaching and keynote speeches. Her unique presentation style captures audiences of all backgrounds and encourages the free and open discourse that effectively begins to break down the
communication barriers.
Bestselling author of From Boomers to Bloggers: Success Strategies across Generations, Burmeister speaks on the following topics: Generational Awareness, Leading across Generations, Mentoring across Generations, Five Shifts to Common Understanding and Powerful Communication. She facilitates programs on leadership and employee effectiveness, intergenerational communication and mission development. She has been credited by one client with "her work means millions of dollars in increased workforce productivity."
Burmeister brings more than a decade of professional experience to her work with diverse clientele, including organizations like AT&T, UPS, Marriott International, Choice Hotels, U.S. Army and Navy, Wal-Mart and Johnson & Johnson Company. As a result of her hands-on coaching, clients have seen significant improvements in employee retention, ultimately contributing to their bottom lines. One organization saw a 90 percent reduction in its
turnover rate!
Her timely contributions are catching the attention of the media, businesses and even the government. She's been quoted in the Washington Business Journal, The Washington Post and The Washington Times. Combining humor with hard-hitting information delivered with "an amazing amount of energy," she's earned acclaim for providing real, quantitative and effective steps that empower and bring out the best in multi-generational organizations – immediately.
Just recently, Ms. Burmeister was recognized by the Washington Business Journal as a "Rising Star" among "Women who mean Business." Last year, Burmeister was selected as a finalist for the Elizabeth Dole Young Entrepreneur Scholarship for outstanding leadership in her community and entrepreneurial ventures. In 2005, she was awarded the International Femtor Award for Emerging Leaders by the eWomen Network. That same year, she was also named a "Community Fellow" by the Foundation for Community Leadership as an acknowledgement for her commitment and vision to empowering young professionals.
Misti has worked her magic over the past year with my life/work TEAM and was truly the catalyst, that “spark plug” – if you will - igniting an innovative revolution in our organization. Whether talking to executives or large audiences, she connects in a way few do. She is genuine in her approach which resonates with both Boomers and Millennials. You come away with a real sense of what needs to be done. This is Misti’s gift.
Misti`s groundbreaking strategies will cut through the fog of our often distorted theories and folklore about the hopelessness of intergenerational communication as she paints memorable pictures using authentic examples while speaking with such clarity that you will remember not only the illustrations, but also how to apply those models in other circumstances.
View Original Letter TIM OVERSTREET, DML
Associate Dean of Logistics Executive Development US Army Logistics Management College
You were such an engaging facilitator at the Management Leadership Team Meeting I recently attended. Your `incredible energy and disarming manner` allowed many attending the session to open up and disclose their true feelings regarding how we could better improve relations with members outside our own age or race demographics...
William E. Sapp
Sales Center Vice President DOD/Air Force AT&T Government Solutions
Misti Burmeister is an asset for any corporation or professional organization. Her skills at intergenerational training are needed by most as the workforce changes. She engages, builds the energy and the desire to execute as a team. Her work means millions of dollars in increased workforce productivity.
Misti is as dedicated and passionate about her craft as one can be. The only thing that can possibly rival those traits is the amazing amount of energy she brings into a room. I`m constantly waiting for her to burst into flames! If your organization has a cut in its `line`, Misti is the Master Splicer you need.
A significant way that boomers can leave a lasting legacy within their organizations is to ensure that the incoming generation is full embraced, valued, engaged and utilized. Misti Burmeister provides the roadmap and the tools to make this happen!
Lori Addicks
Vice President of Learning and Development Post Properties, Inc.
Misti helped me see things and people differently. Not only did she make me see work situations as opportunities and not road blocks, she also helped me work through various aspects of my position. She taught me how to look at me differently. Through books she has asked me to read, organization skills she has helped me apply, journaling and goal setting I am learning about me. I believed in my leadership skills before but now, I know I am a great leader that has a huge amount of talent to apply to any situation/position. I am looking forward to Misti working with me in 2007 on my new expanded team. Misti will help me expand on my talents as a leader in AGS and sharpen those skills to make me more effective as months pass. Misti challenges me to be a better me in all aspects of my life which in turn makes me a more effective person overall.
Laura Miles-Bailey
Group Sales Manager, AT&T
I now can see how my focus in life was moving away from some of the things that really matter to me – family, friends, relationships, spiritual life, personal interests, etc. My schedule was controlling me instead of me controlling my schedule. By recognizing the things that matter to me most I can better balance my whole life. That makes me a more effective leader, employee, mother, wife, friend, etc.
Pat Stipe
Client Business Manager, AT&T
... I find that I am taking a more strategic approach to my business conversations both internally and externally. While I am familiar with the skills and lessons discussed in these session, I have found that as a result of my time with Misti, I am now asking questions like "what do I hope to accomplish from this conversation" prior to beginning my dialogue. This tactic alone has had a noticeable impact on my communications professionally and personally. In addition, the coaching that she has provided in the way of time management and task preparation have allow me to improve the efficiency level in my day to day activities. I would without a doubt recommend the Inspirion program as time well spent.
Paul McRae
Client Business Manager, AT&T
Misti is truly an inspirational person who challenges me to be authentic. A true coach by all definitions, full of encouragement yet willing to call your bluff. She is challenging me to be better today than yesterday and make a difference in people’s lives.
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This is exactly where Misti Burmeister found herself at the age of just 24. After literally picking herself up off the ground, she saw two choices: sit there and wallow or stand up and do something. What happened next? She spent the next six months conducting more than 150 informational interviews and in the process discovered her passion – generational diversity in the workplace. Born out of her own experiences with generational differences, she began to realize what an important issue this would (and has) become. As "Boomers" begin retiring and organizations begin competing in the war for talented young professionals, they are shocked to realize that these young professionals ("Bloggers") are entering the workforce in much lower numbers than previous generations. Burmeister saw an opportunity to help companies and their people learn to navigate the generational divide – and retain bloggers, known for changing jobs almost as easily as they change shoes. So at age 25, she started Inspirion Inc. to make a difference.
Bestselling author of From Boomers to Bloggers: Success Strategies across Generations, Burmeister speaks on the following topics: Generational Awareness, Leading across Generations, Mentoring across Generations, Five Shifts to Common Understanding and Powerful Communication. She facilitates programs on leadership and employee effectiveness, intergenerational communication and mission development. She has been credited by one client with "her work means millions of dollars in increased workforce productivity."
Her timely contributions are catching the attention of the media, businesses and even the government. She's been quoted in the Washington Business Journal, The Washington Post and The Washington Times. Combining humor with hard-hitting information delivered with "an amazing amount of energy," she's earned acclaim for providing real, quantitative and effective steps that empower and bring out the best in multi-generational organizations – immediately.
