1/12/17
Last year, GenXers' share of the U.S. workforce was surpassed by the Millennials’ generation. Millennials are keen on technology, filled with confidence, and require a different employee engagement method than those used with earlier generations.
The Millennial generation is immersed in the ever-increasing pace of technological change. They understand perfectly how rapidly their skills can become yesterday's news.
This generation seeks out opportunities to attain new skills and ways to contribute to and lead company innovation. A recent global survey by Deloitte* found that the most influential factor in retaining Millennials' loyalty is the ability of a company to accommodate and cultivate these desires.
Millennial employee development must be engaging, frequent, and personal. Bulk-training approaches are unlikely to be effective. Instead, find opportunities to provide relevant training on a daily basis in small doses.
Additionally, let your Millennial sales associates choose topics that suit immediate interests. When training them directly, act more like a mentor than a boss, which might mean sharpening your listening skills.
Millennials crave meaning in their work. They appreciate sales managers who are enthusiastic evangelists for the company's mission and its relevance to its customers, suppliers, and most importantly, its employees.
Millennials prefer companies that go the extra mile to treat employees fairly and honestly. They value strong business ethics, a high level of transparency, and a customer-centric focus.
Make sure you highlight these traits to your Millennial employees to improve their job satisfaction and feeling of engagement.
Technology has engendered an entrepreneurial spirit in Millennials like no generation before. Millennials are completely adept in self-publishing in any media format, they communicate fluidly with people around the globe, and understand that results are more important than operating within strict time and space constraints.
They believe that innovation does not wear a suit, tie, and a watch. Research conducted by Intel in 2013 revealed Millennials expected future technology to make life easier, not more difficult, and that it should have the capability to know their preferences and behavior.
Technology developed since 2013 has indeed evolved in those areas. It’s important that sales managers realize that Millennial employees not only expect that, Millennial customers do too.
"Hack" is not a negative four-letter word to Millennials. They thrive on synthesizing new, more efficient ways to conduct business. They want to share their ideas in a positive manner and take action on the best ones.
Consider bestowing your Millennial associates with a leadership role in improving ways your sales team can work more effectively.
Increased sales or reduced costs will not always result from Millennial employees' ideas. However, you may find that their aptitude for outside-the-box thinking and penchant for taking risks will rub off on the team and make you a better manager in the process.
The previously mentioned Deloitte* survey indicates that 60 percent of Millennials anticipate leaving their current company within three years. It costs on average $15,000 to $20,000 to replace each of them, which represents a big risk to an organization's bottom line.
However, any company willing to harness and retain their enthusiasm and thirst for innovation will reap big benefits.
The Intel® Retail Edge Program provides a learning experience ideally suited to Millennials' need for short trainings and their urge to explore. Find out how participation in the program allows them to gain product knowledge and sales skills for greater success with customers.
This article originally appeared on LinkedIn*. To see the original article, click here.
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*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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