You’re going to make a huge mistake if you don’t prepare for the millennials!

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Barry Baskin, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.

You’re going to make a huge mistake if you don’t prepare for the millennials!

It’s interesting the different opinions those that aren’t millennials have about character and the work ethic of millennials. I was listening to a radio show the other day and it wasn’t just the commentator, the same opinion was held by a parent. Words like needy, weak, no opinion were thrown out to describe the millennial.
I get to talk to Millennials daily and I don’t see this at all. I suspect that I’ve had more one on one contact than many of the so-called” experts” on the radio and television have. Most of my conversation is a student from one of the 9 local Atlanta Universities. In the Atlanta area, it’s like the United Nations especially between Georgia Tech and Emory University. They are a diverse demographic from all over the world, at last count 5 of the 7 continents. All of them are here for a great education but when you ask what they’re looking for in an employer and how they feel about careers, politics and philanthropy they are quite candid. After what you hear in the news, this should help you have a healthier opinion.

Here are 3 examples about why you should change your opinion.
1. Millennials aren’t scared to make a change and try something different. They won’t wait around for a promise of a gold watch to work thirty years for you. You have very little time to show them that you (the employer) are engaged with them, are interested in their development and will challenge them with a varied and interesting workplace.
Harvard Business Review estimates that it costs up to 250% of an annual salary to replace an employee. For a $75k a year employee, that’s $187,500. If you turnover that employee every 5 years and decide for yourself if it’s better to keep them engaged or replace them. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to keep them?
2. Millennials care about corporate philanthropy. They have a social conscience

3. Millennials come to the interview prepared to interview you as much as you interview them. They are not so hungry for a job that they will take the first offer. They have investigated you, learned how they will fit and

Until organizations recognize the lack of engagement responsibility starts with the company and not with the employee then the statistics will continue to decline. The employee has responsibilities as well, but millennials and more highly evolved employees are not willing to accept mediocrity from their managers and business leaders. They’ll constantly look for other opportunities until you create opportunities for them.