The generation gap not only occurs in families, but also in business. Companies that have been around for years also are owned or managed by the same personnel that started the company (especially in family-owned businesses). That means that there is not only an important generational gap between management and younger staff, but also a larger (more important) gap in training in current business practice.

Younger generations tend to be more familiar with the use of new technologies, current business practice and are seen to be in touch with potential consumers, new markets, and open to new ideas. Older generations tend to be set in their ways, so to speak. And as the saying goes, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

In order to compensate for or fill this training gap, owners / managers are looking for what some call “third opinions.” Third opinions are opinions from inside your company, but maybe not necessarily related to your business or department. They might be from a younger, older or same age peer / colleague that you can trust to bounce off new ideas.

In order to stay ahead in business, companies need to stay ahead of consumer/customer needs, demands, etc. This is where third opinions can really shed some new, fresh, brighter light on the subject at hand. Their opinion is never biased (because they have no hidden agenda). Unlike a second opinion, a third opinion may not be an expert in the same material.

The so-called second opinion tends to be the opinion of another professional, but with the same qualifications, credentials than the first opinion. However, a third opinion opens the door to alternative possibilities and in times of crisis, new ideas and “outside the box” thinking, mean the difference between survival or extinction.

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:

1. Do you seek opinions from your colleagues, peers, etc.?

2. Do you prefer to work on your own, on a team, or as a team leader?

3. How would you describe the learning/training gap inside your own company? Does it exist?

4. What would you do to fill the gap?

5. What does it mean to “stay ahead of your business”?