The Millennial Revolution

Millennials Are Changing The Way We Work

Successful millennials are becoming the highlights of younger generations

With millennials now making up more than one-third of the workforce, it’s clear they are becoming a significant force in how business is conducted across industries. While they may be less likely to work overtime than their older counterparts, millennials are substantially more likely to stay with their current employer for 5 years or more. Moreover, they will also be leading us into the future technologically as skilled entrepreneurs and innovators with demanding expectations.

It’s not easy to be a Millennial nowadays, with all the demands and expectations put on their shoulders.

Supported by research compiled through sources such as The American Economic Association, Harvard Business Review, and The Economist, it’s clear why millennials are such a hot topic in today’s business environment.

Millennials are an influential and powerful generation that businesses need to adapt to. So what can we do to adapt?

Millennials have grown up with the internet, so they’re used to having constant access to information. They expect instant communication, quick response times, and high volumes of content in order to keep them engaged while they gather information on a product or service. This is why it’s important for businesses, regardless of industry or size, to have an online presence that is easily accessible 24 hours a day.

Millennials are particularly concerned about the safety of their personal information, so they want businesses to uphold high standards for security. This is why it’s important to invest in technology that will keep their data safe, as well as be able to provide a way for them to make use of digital tools on the internet.

Millennials grew up realizing that they can get the job done without having to go to the office. — Eric Yuan

Self-reliance is also a trait that millennials have grown up with, so they expect businesses to have quick return times and quick payment methods. They don’t like feeling like they’re being taken advantage of or overcharged, so it’s important to give Millennials what they need when they need it.

Millennials’ core value is collaboration and community. They are constantly searching for ways to be together and give back to their communities. So it’s crucial that they feel like they have a voice in where their company is heading, so they can feel like they have a stake in the future of the business. Therefore, it’s important that businesses use technology that empowers millennials to be more involved in decision-making.

Success does not come easily to all. For example, out of all millennials, just over half have a paying job.

These middling numbers present an important question: why don’t more millennials pursue their dreams?

While this may be a valid question considering how there is little to no gap between socioeconomic status in millennials and the previous two generations, they are nonetheless doing their part to succeed in the workplace.

Millennials face many obstacles to overcome when trying to get ahead in their career. One of the biggest problems is that they are often set up for failure by the companies that employ them.

Companies today expect millennials to be entirely self-reliant and self-sufficient, but this is simply unrealistic. Technology and new business models are changing fast; it’s nearly impossible for a millennial to know what their future looks like.

Traditional methods of training and apprenticeships can provide millennials with necessary skills, but sometimes it’s not enough. Offices can sometimes feel too corporate, and millennials are more likely to seek out jobs that allow them more creative freedom.

The Global Economy is also Affecting Millennials

While millennials are not the first generation to deal with economic recessions and economic uncertainty, they are facing conflicts that no previous generation has encountered.

Globalization has also created challenges for businesses everywhere, who need millennials desperately yet face difficulty in hiring and retaining them. In order to overcome these challenges, businesses must begin to rethink their business models in order to accommodate millennial demands.

The Millennial Way of Working is a Misconception

Businesses have long been known for their competitive work environments, which may have been a factor in causing millennials to feel as though they are not given enough work. The truth is, however, that the millennial way of working actually benefits businesses and companies. Millennials want flexibility in their work hours and more control over their schedule. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule; some millennials do seek more authoritative leadership than others. However, businesses need to adjust the way they approach millennials if they want them to continue playing an integral role in their organizations.

Millennials are More Likely to Move Companies if they Dissatisfied with their Employer

When millennials feel undervalued and unappreciated, they are more likely to seek work elsewhere. In fact, nearly 1/3 of all millennials plan on changing jobs sometime in the next year; the key to keeping them is engagement. Engage millennials by listening to their complaints and allowing them to express themselves freely. Remember that millennials want constant feedback, so providing it may help prevent them from leaving for a better opportunity elsewhere. Many businesses have already taken these steps in order to prepare for millennial expectations when it comes to hiring and keeping employees.

Summarize

Millennials are Going to Rule the Future

Millennials have the power to change the world. However, businesses must begin to adapt in order for them to rule their world. This is a process that has not been easy for many companies and will likely be one that many businesses navigate with caution. But it is important because as a generation, millennials will fundamentally change how we all work and interact with each other, reshaping our daily lives. The key is adapting to these changes and finding ways to keep millennials happy in the workplace while they continue to grow up, in their own generation. It will take a while, but eventually, these changes will be inevitable.

* * * * * * * *

While it’s true that we have entered the third generation of Millennials (those born between 1980 and 1996), this does not mean that those born before this date are no longer millennials. At the same time, just because someone is in the second cohort of millennials, it does not necessarily mean that they are on par with all other members of their generation as far as communication skills and self-confidence are concerned. This is why, in order to really understand what makes a millennial tick, you need to study that person’s actions rather than their mere age alone.

To learn more about this unique generation and find out how you can better deal with Millennials;

Follow us @Mediumitesocial 🐦

If you found this article informative and helpful, feel free to support me and other writers you read by becoming a Medium member. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to post them below in the comments section!

J.D Rehbein-Wrightstein founder of The Savytech articles is a writer who loves to help people discover their hidden potential as well as their true purpose in life. He inspires and educates people on living an awesome life with inspiring articles. Connect with him on Twitter for more!