Traditional small business owners often tend to give millennials far less credit than they deserve. Although old school thought leaders have a lot to bring to the table, to increase profit, it’s time to open your mind to change and a more diverse thought process. The business world presents frequent changes. Older business owners often resist change and sometimes fail to realize the vital importance that millennial workers will bring to a small business.
Let’s face it; there’s a lot that the millennials are doing right from which older business owners could learn. Letting go and allowing younger minds the opportunity to educate previous generations about what will attract younger generation employees, will also attract younger clients/customers.
While millennials may operate with a different mindset, the methods they use often provide significant advantages to businesses not only in areas of profitability but through thought leadership and advocacy.
This generation of workers is currently representing more workers and customers/clients than any other generation. It’s time to offer them the respect they deserve and here are some reasons why:
Not All Members of Generation X are Remotely Close to Retirement
- With rapid technological changes that occur each year, Gen X business owners could use some millennial education. Don’t look now, but these young people are often the very people who are writing the technical educational materials you’re learning from especially about technology. Millennials come to savvy on day one technologically. By placing more millennials within your business environment, you’re opening yourself to a world of advancement that you may require.
Millennials Possess a Much Needed Social Consciousness
- Millennials tend to offer an excellent degree of public relations through their strong desire to contribute to community and environment. They want to know that their employers will be supportive of these ideas.
- They are always looking for ways to improve the world on any level possible. If you consider the fact that this could well be a generation of volunteers and earth ambassadors, you could find that when you integrate millennial workers into your workforce, they will help you understand the importance of how you affect your community. Should you allow it, they could bring profitability and recognition to your business through their earthy thought leadership and desire to make a difference.
The Millennial Generation Works Smart, Not Hard (This is not a bad thing)
- Everyone today is using technology in the advancement of their business. Regardless of age, we’ve come to understand that technology is necessary if we want to be a part of today’s business world. Long grueling hours are no longer required to generate more business. Would it make sense to call an approach lazy, if that behavior brings more productivity?
- Millennials are masters of the philosophy that the use of technology to provide a job well done is the best way to make a business thrive. Wise business owners embrace this aspect of the younger worker’s propensity toward efficiency and their ability to complete their jobs in less time. Clients/customers will appreciate the quality of service you’ll offer.
Millennials Know the Value of Smartphone Use for Their Jobs
- According to PEW Research Center who specializes in Internet and Technology statistic studies, as of February of 2018 “The vast majority of Americans – 95% – now own a cell phone of some kind. The share of Americans that own smartphones are now 77%, up from just 35% in Pew Research Center’s first survey of smartphone ownership conducted in 2011.” Moreover, according to Nielsen “When looking at smartphone owners by age, penetration is highest among Millennials aged 18-24, 98% of whom own smartphones. Millennials aged 25-34 are right on their heels, with a 97% ownership rate, followed by Gen Xers aged 35-44 at 96%, making Smartphone nearly ubiquitous among these generational segments.”
- Inc. reports “What the Qualtrics and Accel survey reveals is that tech has, at least in the minds of Millennials, fostered better relationships both in daily life and at work. Seventy-three percent of Millennials say tech has given them a better work-life balance, contributing to a better understanding of projects, for example…” Millennials fully understand the vital importance of smartphone use to complete work tasks quickly and efficiently.
These People Want Engagement In Their Work
- Past generations had always perceived receiving a paycheck and benefits as a reward for the hard work they had provided. Millennials have a desire to care about the work in which they engage themselves. While they are interviewing for jobs, they will often turn down work that lacks conscious environment and community awareness.
Millennials are generally extremely creative. If you’re a wise small business owner, you’re likely aware that a small workforce will demand that you and your employees can cross job description lines. Avoid the over-definition of the positions you’re offering. Allow your employees to spread their proverbial wings and explore areas of interests that mean the most to them. They will integrate what they learn into your business, therefore creating exemplary business/client/customer loyalty.
Small business owners want engaged workers; this engagement may be acquired from learning and through the expansion of responsibilities. When you allow your employees to “feel” and understand your vision, then your business is likely to thrive.
This generation tends to proliferate in these business environments. The longer you employ them, the more positive the attitudes and creative thought leadership you are bound to experience. Business owners, employees and clients/customers all stand to benefit.
Business owners should consider refraining from continued attempts at assimilating millennials into the traditional business models. Instead, they should consider integrating Millennials’ creative abilities into their workplaces. It’s just good business sense.
At Cogent Analytics, we never stop looking for ways to improve your business and neither should you. So, check out some of our other posts for helpful business information:
