enage2014: the art of engaging millennials - lee mcenany caraher, doubleforte
TRANSCRIPT
ONE VIEWPOINT
“The children now love luxury; they have bad
manners, contempt for authority; they show
disrespect for elders and love chatter in place
of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the
servants of their households. They no longer
rise when elders enter the room. They
contradict their parents, chatter before
company, gobble up dainties at the table,
cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.”
Socrates, 470BC – 399BC
COMMON THEMES: MILLENNIALS:
1. Are entitled
2. Expect rewards and promotions for
showing up
3. Don’t work hard
4. Can’t get anything done
5. Are casual and disrespectful
6. Want freedom, flexibility and work-life
balance
7. Have helicopter parents
MILLENNIALS AT A GLANCE
Millennials Biggest Generation
Three Distinct Groups 28-34yrs born during recession; entered labor market
after 9/11
22-27yrs entered or tried to enter job market during Great Recession
14-21yrs face very different world than 34 yr olds
36% Millennials 18-31 live at home
18% college graduates live at home
16% 25-31 yr olds/56% 18-24 yr olds
29% employed Millennials live at home
Most educated in American History
0
50
100
Population
Boomers
GenX
Millennials
77M
RAISED DIFFERENTLY
Full-Life approach
Digitally Native Time Shifting
The World is Flat Parent Trap
MILLENNIALS:
1. Are entitled – CONDITIONED
2. Expect rewards and promotions for showing up -
YES
3. Don’t work hard – WORK DIFFERENTLY
4. Can’t get anything done – LOOKS DIFFERENT
5. Are casual and disrespectful – DON’T KNOW
BETTER
6. Want freedom, flexibility and work-life balance -YES
7. Have helicopter parents – SOME DO
CONFIDENT
THE MIND-SET
Capable
Contributors
Change
Makers
MILLENNIALS
AT WORK WANTMeaningful
Work
Opportunity
Constant
Dialogue
Full-Life
VISION MATTERS: ME, TEAM, COMPANY
“Just Because” Doesn’t Work Anymore
“Why am I doing this? Why will it matter? Who else is
involved? How does this fit into the rest of the
project? What deadlines matter, why? Who is
depending on the team? On me?”
If you do NOTHING else,
make sure your managers are setting up
projects and assignments with LOTS of
context and color BEFORE they start
POWER OF INPUT
“Anyone who has an idea is heard … I finally found the
right job.”
Liz, age 27
Solicit Ideas at the Beginning
Annual Surveys
Open Office
Availability
Feedback
IMPROVING THE PROCESS
Millennials want to do things their way….LET
THEM
Guidelines, Context, Deadlines
And if it’s really important :
“Do it my way first please and
improve on it.”
PROTECT YOUR CULTURE
Define • Values, Norms, Behavior, Language
Socialize & Reinforce• Meetings, emails, handbook, onboarding, redirect
Protect It• If someone doesn’t get on board they need to go
EVERYONE will thank you
CATERING ISN’T CAVING
If you adjust to attract,
keep and nurture Millennials
EVERYONE wins.