The most ironic misperception of Xers is that they have short attention spans and do not deal well with information. In truth, what characterizes Xers more than any other trait is their great facility with information and technology. For many Xers, who grew up as latch-key kids in an increasingly dangerous world, information and technology were their best friends -- their most reliable problem solving resources. That is why Xers already know how to work in the virtual office, where information drives production, and how to sell in the virtual marketplace, where meaning is the primary commodity. Xers' comfort and skill with the changing information environment is a tremendous asset. But, that asset requires maintenance because Xers have voracious appetites for information and learning.

Four Guidelines:

Maintain open lines of communication.
Schedule time every day or several times each week for brief detail oriented communication sessions to review projects; provide updates on managerial issues; establish and adjust work-goals and deadlines; monitor results; and answer questions and resolve problems.

Encourage everyone in your company to be a teacher.
Create a learning environment by making teaching part of every person's job. Teaching should not draw core personnel away from their core tasks. Rather, teaching should enhance productivity all around. When teaching Xers, share information and methods of practice without dictating unnecessary rules; try to let Xers learn by doing; inspire Xers to define problems, engage their innovative powers, and come up with creative solutions.

Build a rich information environment which facilitates ongoing learning.
Provide multiple learning resources in diverse media; encourage Xers to set their own concrete learning objectives in the context of structured self-study programs; and allow Xers to process the information and meet the learning objectives at their own rapid pace.

Challenge Xers with new projects demanding fresh skills.
Expose Xers to diverse facets of the business by allowing lateral moves to new skill areas. Armed with new skills and motivated by the learning process, Xers will gladly assume new responsibilities and meet challenges with greater productivity and initiative.