Millennials are the generation born between 1980 and 2000. By 2025, over 75% of the world's working population will consist of millennials. Although they are not an entirely homogeneous group, millennials are nevertheless defined by certain shared characteristics and motivations that differ from preceding generations. In order to enhance millennials' productivity, employers should understand their needs and harness their strengths.
Here are some suggestions for you to make the most of your millennials.
1. Keep Them Connected
Some offices have a no social media policy. They disconnect their employees from websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Millennials are digital natives, social media is a daily part of their life and can be leveraged to improve your company's productivity and bring more business to you, especially as Millennials are natural born online networkers. According to a recent survey, 56% of millennials would turn down a job if it denied them access to social media networks. Therefore businesses should not disconnect these digital natives but instead ensure that social media sites are leveraged to improve business. Whether it is hiring millennials for roles that require social media competency, or encouraging them to mentor older employees in that domain, there are many ways in which millennials' technological skills can benefit the company.
2. Mix It Up
Millennials are often dubbed the 'gaming generation' as many were raised playing video games on a daily basis. This may not be the case for all of them, but every millennial grew up in an era of advanced technology and increased stimuli. Millennials, as they are used to engaging environments, tend to get bored with repetitive routines. They thrive in an environment where they can learn and develop. You need to grab their attention with interesting projects which vary over time. They prefer short-term goals with a clear finishing line as opposed to a never-ending, monotonous drill.
3. Recognize and Reward Achievements
As mentioned, Millennials are part of the social media and gaming generation. In a videogame there is always rewarding grand finale for those who get to the end. On social media, members get instant gratification as friends and followers hit 'Like' on their posts. Millennials are known for needing recognition, they define themselves according to the praise of their superiors and peers. If Millennials' sense that their achievements are not appreciated they will quickly lose interest in their job. Verbal, financial and other forms of reward will ensure these employees continue to work hard for your company.
4. Open It Up
Millennials hate hierarchy. Unlike preceding generations, their upbringing was much more liberal and inclusive, so they dislike gerontocratic organizations, inflexible protocols and they do not do well with micromanaging. This does not mean that Millennials do not benefit from instruction and clear project guidelines. What it does mean is that their bosses should act like mentors not controllers and should be approachable and encouraging, as opposed to stern and aloof. If you want millennials to flourish and be productive, ensure you do not assign them managers who will flex their authority. Millennials need guidance but also the freedom to carve out their own niche. Your business should create open, creative spaces where millennials can contribute to the team, engaging with players of all levels, as opposed to being supervised, micromanaged by harsh bosses and reduced to communicating with only their lower tier peers.
If you’re looking for other innovative options to have control over your business, Intelligent Office has relevant options, learn more today!
