Millennials are defined as people who were born between the early 1980s and late 1990s. These digital natives are not only the largest generation to date, they also represent the highest percentage of the workforce at 35 percent. While they offer a unique perspective, greater diversity, and technological prowess, millennials can also be a challenge to retain—and the cost of replacing an employee can range between one and two times their annual salary.
One of the best ways to retain employees is to keep them engaged, and with the right tools, techniques, and technologies, you can create an environment that is appealing to millennials and adds value to your business. Here are some tips to build an effective strategy to increase engagement, and foster a more connected, efficient workforce.
Go Mobile
Employees in today’s digital work environments can often be seen utilizing multiple devices throughout the course of the work day, and many are given the freedom to use their own devices and choose the applications or processes they prefer. Research on mobile app usage indicates that millennials spend upwards of 90 hours per month on their smartphone apps alone, highlighting their expectations and need for an intuitive user experience, and up-to-the-minute technology. If employees are expected to use outdated systems at work, they may be more likely to seek employment elsewhere. A successful strategy includes cloud-based applications with a mobile component to enhance communication and productivity.
Encourage Collaboration
Millennials are born collaborators who thrive on teamwork. Technology is one of the easiest ways to facilitate and encourage collaboration in the workplace, and by investing in collaborative tools such as analytical dashboards, interactive portals, and communication platforms, employees remain engaged and satisfied intellectually and socially. With the ability to share insights and knowledge, and gain valuable feedback, your organization can benefit from a more streamlined workflow and increased productivity.
Gamification
Not every millennial plays video games, but nearly all are familiar with the mechanics and techniques used in any number of other applications. Using gamification in the workplace can effectively re-engage employees by offering incentives, encouraging exploration, and offering the instant gratification they crave. Gamification can be used as a learning tool to strategize and resolve problems through teamwork, using next-level rewards as a way to combat stagnation.
Increase employee satisfaction and retention using these, and other strategies for successful engagement.
