“Why should I work (or keep working) for you?” It’s a question uttered by the Internet-loving, selfie-taking generation that can scan Google’s search engine like nobody’s business.
Millennials (ages 18-34) have become the recent topic of conversation in regards to how businesses will manage these young workers. They are tech-savvy, cost-effective, eager to learn, adaptive, self-expressive… and by 2030, they will make up roughly 75% of the world’s workforce. That means there’s a pretty high chance of your establishment employing them down the road, if you’re not doing so already. 
The key to attracting and retaining this young top talent is cultivating a company culture that entices them in and embraces the unique desires of this demographic. Millennials don’t want to view their jobs as just jobs; they seek out careers they find personally fulfilling in a place that fosters team collaboration and a shared sense of purpose. They want something different than the normal 9-5 job. They want hip happy-hours, company-sponsored service opportunities, and the ability to work from wherever they want (does your company offer remote, virtual or flexible working arrangement?). So, in an age where companies are fighting left and right to make changes internally to attract these individuals, how can you build a culture that provides Millennials clarity as to why they should choose to work for you versus other competition?
You attract Millennials by offering the things they want in a company culture:
Provide the Opportunity to Do Meaningful Work
Millennials want to align their interests and values to the work they do and who they are working for. In the 2014 Millennial Impact Report, it was found that other than compensation, the factors that most influence this young generation’s decision to stay with a company are having their passions/talents used to the fullest (53%) and believing in the company’s mission (20%). Equally interesting, over half of Millennials said they are willing to take a 15% pay cut to work at a company that matches their ideals. To that end, Millennials will go above and beyond for you and your business if they are given autonomy, opportunities to influence positive change and ownership of their destiny.
Showcase the Talent You Already Have
If there’s one thing Millennials crave in a job, it’s working amongst people who are subject matter experts and willing to work just as hard as they are. Think about it - an eager 22 year old fresh out of college is going to want to build a solid foundation and gain valuable experience at his or her first job. Companies therefore need to showcase the talent they already have so Millennials feel they can truly benefit and flourish from the individuals who are currently employed at the organization, and ultimately, expand on their skills to continually better themselves. The beauty of this scenario is that you’re bridging a potential gap - Gen Xer’s who may be feeling a bit threatened by this booming generation will now feel valued by sharing their expertise.
Accommodate Flexibility in When/Where Work Gets Done
As far as flexibility goes, Millennials know that technology allows them to work from virtually anywhere, so the idea of a 9-5 workday at a desk in an office really doesn’t make much sense. They want the option to work from home for no other reason than, hey, it’s simply raining out or at the coffee shop up the street from their house because it’s warm, cozy and quiet. As they grow older, get married and have children, flexibility will become even more of a necessity to them. As digital natives, they are expertly-versed in technologies that make telecommuting seamless, providing them a sense of control and lessening their overall stress. The “net net" ultimately increases loyalty, productivity and the positive impact on your bottom line.
FUN!
It’s no secret that Google is one of the best places to work. Why? Because the entire company has fun! You don’t need to sacrifice work in order to incorporate exciting perks and activities, but things like offering free snacks, catered lunches, game rooms to relieve stress, nap rooms to refresh, and open spaces, will all go a long way to not only inject some fun into your environment but also boost employee morale and happiness. And it’s no secret that happy employees are productive employees.
It’s important to understand that Millennials are not unmotivated, it’s that they’re motivated by different things than generations before them. If you ensure your organization has a company culture worth getting excited about, you’ll not only attract and retain valuable employees, you’ll watch them flourish and help grow your business to success.
Whether you want to create a culture that Millennials will be attracted to, or you’re looking to change your culture overall, our guide will give you advice and an action plan for doing it.
