This post is also available in: Deutsch
In our Diversity@NORMA series, we highlight the diversity of personalities that work at NORMA Group. In 2023, the focus is on the various generations of NORMA Group employees. Colleagues from different departments, countries and age groups report on the experiences they have had working with older and younger colleagues and how a cross-generational exchange of information and ideas takes place at NORMA Group.
Ventura Portavella has been a Product Manager DS EMEA at our Barcelona, Spain location for over three years. In this interview, he talks about the insights he has gained from the cross-generational exchange of ideas and information.
Ventura, what do you see as the biggest differences between members of your generation and people who are both younger and older?
Older people take advantage of the knowledge they have gained over time to overcome challenges. This allows them to draw on approaches that have proven successful in the past. And this, of course, means that problems can be solved more quickly.
Younger people often want to integrate technological innovations into their everyday lives. I work in the Marketing DS department, so my team is spread throughout the EMEA region. The distance between us means that we often communicate and collaborate virtually. Online documents and projects are common in our team.
I have the feeling that this is easier for younger people and that they get the hang of new working tools more quickly. But this is also a question of the individual – I certainly don’t want to generalize. I can at least say that everyone on my team has a great deal of technical knowledge.
What are the differences between the generations and their approaches to work?
Older people contribute a lot of knowledge that only comes from years of experience. Younger employees tend to supplement this knowledge with new insights that bring an element of fresh air. This mix ensures that we achieve outstanding results and generate new opportunities.
“This is what drives both NORMA Group as a company and each and every one of us forward.”
Is it your impression that there is an intercultural exchange at NORMA Group?
There is an ongoing exchange of information and ideas between the generations. My team includes many people who have been part of NORMA Group for a long time. Employees are always retiring, and new ones are joining the company as the years pass. This process allows knowledge to be passed down through the generations and supplemented with new perspectives.
What can you learn from younger and older colleagues in the company?
From my younger colleagues, I have adopted an open-minded approach to new platforms and technologies. Older colleagues, on the other hand, have taught me the importance of patience and resilience, and that I need to be a strong advocate for my views.
“I learn something new every day – some things I learn from older colleagues and other things from younger ones.”
That’s the great thing about NORMA Group – there’s always an exchange of ideas.
