This may come as a shock to you, but Millennials are in the workforce. Actually, they are the workforce now.
Having passed Baby Boomers as the largest generation in the workforce, (Sorry Gen X) Millennials represent 35% of all people working in America. By 2030, that number will jump to 50% of the workforce.
So, what can you do to effectively manage this growing segment of working America? Great Question!
Understand Their Needs
A common trope for Millennials is how whiny and lazy they are. No wait… what’s the word? Entitled. That’s the one.
Every digital, print, and television media outlet has come out with some piece that equates to “Millennials are Entitled, Lazy, and Can’t Work” (Raise your hand if you ever shared one of those articles to mess with your kids.)
The truth, however, is much more complex.
It’s true that Millennials are more difficult to manage than their Gen X or Boomer counterparts, but that’s because Boomers and Gen Xers are the ones doing the managing. Just like how members of the “Silent Generation” and the “Greatest Generation” had trouble managing Boomers and Xers, Millennials are moving fast and breaking things for sure, but so did every generation before them.
Effective Communication Strategies
Nobody will deny that Millennials are fond of their cellular devices.
Members of the generation actually may take offense to the idea that they are unable to function without it. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to get your point across to them without it being via text.
Actually, it’s very easy to communicate with Millennials: Talk to them like everybody else. Here’s some quick tips for communication in the workplace:
Keep it simple: Give only the most relevant information and skip the 6 paragraph emails.
Visuals are (almost) always more effective than just words.
Make communication two-way, instead of just lecturing.
Open and Honest Communication is the key.
They Value Making a Difference
Millennials are more purpose driven in the workplace than previous generations. They believe in the mantra “Do Good, Do Well.”
Even if your company isn't about saving the whales, or building animal shelters, your business is doing some good. Emphasize this point in your company plan, and keep your younger workers engaged on how you’re helping make tomorrow a better place. This focus will energize Millennials and make them to want to do more and do better!
Whether you're a Boomer, Xer, or Millennial, your forms could save you money by switching to digital. naturalForms' digital forms work online or offline with your mobile device wherever you are.
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naturalForms is an innovative software company based in Dayton, Ohio USA and is the leader in natural input technologies and provides an end-to-end mobile data capture platform that automates the collection of natural input (such as handwriting, photos, notes, drawings, and signatures) instantly at the point of entry. Information captured with tablets or other mobile devices is immediately converted to digital data and seamlessly integrated to backend systems. Straight-through processing eliminates cycle time delays and human data entry errors, creating an unsurpassed workflow optimization and significant cost savings. naturalForms’ solutions are used around the world, delivering value in multiple industries. To learn more, visit http://www.naturalforms.com.