How to Invest in Millennials at Your Workplace

It’s old news that millennials revolutionized the workplace with different expectations and learning styles. An uncertain economy and a fluctuating work environment created a workforce with fluid mobility—ready to move far to land a job with the opportunity to grow. In fact, room to grow is key for millennial satisfaction. Essentially, if they’re satisfied with their learning and professional development opportunities, they’re likely to stay longer.

What do the stats say about millennials?

Millennials are startlingly different from their baby-boomer counterparts, so here are three stats to wake up your motivation for increasing learning in your organization.

It’s OK to give stats like these a side-eye, however. These stats might record hard data, but they don’t give the rationale behind these decisions and feelings. For example, improvements in technology make it easy (and more eco-friendly!) to work from home, hire on as a contractor, or start your own business. All these opportunities create a much larger smorgasbord of work for millennials to choose from.

So, with millennials willing and able to change jobs, some businesses view them as uncertain investments—there’s even a popular workplace stereotype that claims millennials lack loyalty. In the face of these unfriendly stats and endless stereotypes, how should businesses respond?

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Are stereotypes about millennials even accurate?

First, it’s important to establish the facts. It’s true that millennials have countless stereotypes following them through every moment of their lives (Monopoly even made a game about it). To no one’s surprise, millennials are growing tired of the stereotyping assault—and for good reason. Times are changing fast as technology redefines possibilities, and people naturally change right alongside. So, rather than wave off millennials as uncertain investments, companies should step out and maximize all the strengths that millennials bring with them.

Millennials bring a wide variety of experience

If you’re looking for someone who can juggle a variety of tasks or quickly adjust to new environments, millennials are your solution. In fact, they’ll do more than adjust to a new workplace, they’ll thrive. And they’ll probably have a healthy work-life balance.

Millennials aren’t afraid to think outside the box

If you’re hitting walls, try bringing in a millennial—they’re guaranteed to find a new perspective. Just be careful not to shoot down some of their crazier ideas. Give them room to brainstorm. You never know what could become an amazing opportunity.

Millennials are tech-savvy

They find ways to make even the most stubborn tech work. Or, they might just convince you to upgrade. Better technology means less frustration, more efficiency in the office, and more opportunities for remote employment.

Millennials are team players

While they work well alone, millennials truly shine when they collaborate with others. If you’re looking to build a strong team, they’re a good choice. It’s important to build an environment where they feel safe to share their ideas and perspectives.

Millennials bring expectations for good workplace treatment

Millennials are much less likely to care about gender, race, or sexual orientation than their older counterparts. They’re more likely to embrace equality—and they’ll hold their company up to standard. Be willing to reevaluate company policies and initiate change.

Sparknotes version

If the learning and professional development at your business is top notch, then you won’t have to worry too much about your millennials leaving. Leverage the strengths of your younger employees (and perhaps minimize the stereotyping), and you’ll have a loyal workforce that’ll always push your business toward bigger and better opportunities.

Want to see what great learning looks like?

See how we helped Lenovo build a millennial-friendly learning app.

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