A great case in point
Just as millennial buying choices are greatly influenced by the ethics and values of the company behind the goods or service, so too millennials look for an employer with which they can identify morally as well. Jacqui Smith, of the successful West Sussex interior design company Homesmiths, focusses on establishing the core values of her customers in order that they can be transmitted into strong messages to her staff – and that it is this focus that wins her staff buy-in and brings about success. Just as the clarity of values in the customer experience ensures sales, with employees it increases staff retention and therefore minimises hiring costs. Neither customers or staff will stay loyal as people used to. They will, however, stay loyal and passionate to companies whose ethics they totally buy into. Millennials want to be proud of the company they work for, and a bad reputation will disengage employees fast. They want to be a part of something worthwhile and ethical, which will improve the world we live in. A passing nod to company values at interview stage falls way short of what is now needed. Companies have to be seen to be living and breathing those values. Natalie Lewis, of Dynamic HR Services in Cheshire, sees a very robust and lengthy onboarding process integrating company culture and values at every point, as an essential investment for small and medium-sized companies alike.Measuring performance
Old-fashioned management styles will not work anymore. Staff engagement has to be optimised and so does team work, both in micro teams and in the company bonding as a whole. We are now seeing a direct correlation between companies where the staff regularly intermingles, both within their work and at breaks, and those achieving better company results. Teams that work together on shared goals inspire each other, support each other and communicate with each other – inevitably that brings better results. While which values each company has at its heart may vary, the basic requirements to drive millennial employees are the same. Well managed performance, recognition, career opportunities and team work. Badly managed performance, poor company values or poor reputation are the greatest threats. Every company needs to regularly assess their staff engagement, learn how their key drivers are performing and react as needed. The millennials have different aims and motivations and look for a leader who both cares for them and gives them a chance to grow and develop. Sounds pretty reasonable to me.Share this story