Tips on how to deal with Millennials
Millennials will make up 75 per cent of the workforce by 2020 and Waikato businesses are coming to terms with how to engage the generation.
Business leaders met at the Crucial Conversations over Lunch session (known as CRUNCH) at Hamilton’s Waikato Innovation Park recently to go over a Deloitte survey on Millennials.
There were also speakers with expertise on the age group, which represented people born between 1981 and 1996. Millennials are now aged between 22 to 37.
The goal was to amplify Waikato businesses’ ability to relate to and work with the generation.
Hamilton public relations consultancy HMC Communications organised the event.
‘‘There can be an ‘us and them’ mentality between older and younger generations, and that is definitely true in the workplace,’’ director Heather Claycomb said.
‘‘However, if you better understand Millennial thinking you are in a good position to retain talent, improve productivity and innovate your business.’’
The panel CRUNCH was made up of four Millennials.
Commentator and former journalist Emily McLean, account manager Clive Somerville, Seek Waikato founder Gemma Major, and public relations expert Nicola Lee gave their insight on what makes their generation tick.
‘‘Contrary to some opinions, Millennials are not self-entitled or a selfish generation,’’ McLaren said.
She was born in 1987, calling herself ‘‘a typical Millennial’’.
‘‘They care about the environ- ment, their health and social responsibility, and they want to do a lot of good in the world.
‘‘They are passionate and purpose-driven, digital natives, and are flexible and agile.’’
McLean said in acknowledgement of that, employers need to offer ‘‘a great employee experience’’ to attract Millennials.
That entails thinking outside the box when it comes to working hours, and ensuring a nonhierarchical workplace structure which is more about mentoring than management, which will encourage workers to be engaged.
‘‘The Millennial generation is going to be hugely influential, and it’s time we paid more attention to them,’’ Claycomb said.
‘‘It’s time for business leaders to get on board to better understand and work alongside them, or they risk losing staff and being left in the dust.’’
The next two CRUNCH sessions will be held in August and November 2018.