HOW TO MANAGE & MOTIVATE MILLENNIALS:
Work-life balance: This group will work hard but they
value their off work time more. It is different than the
Baby-Boomers who lived to work…this group truly lives
up to the work hard, play hard analogy. Don’t ask them
to work past 35 – 40 hours a week….it is not in their
genes. They have a life and enjoy their preferred
activities too much to give it up even for more money.
DIGITAL ADVOCATES: Millennials were born with
digital devices in their hands. Restrict use of devices and
they will feel like a limb is being cut off. Tell someone
they can’t check their phone or Facebook during the
workday and they will find a business that isn’t so 1990.
Instead, take advantage of their digital adaptiveness and
utilize technology to your benefit. Give them a tablet to
travel around with at work all day… not only find ways
to wow your patients with it, they will feel empowered
and engaged.
COOL ENVIRONMENT: Boring is bad. They are a
generation who has seen it all and more. They are used
to fancy electronics, music while they study and five devices on at the same time. They like things to be moving,
shaking and changing quickly to keep things new and
shiny. Don’t put them in a back corner of an office with one
task to complete all day or they will go crazy and leave.
Make work fun, challenging and inviting. Learn what
they like to do and then incorporate that with other work
responsibilities for maximum performance.
STRUCTURE & FLEXIBILITY: They need both. To
manage properly this group needs a healthy mixture of
daily structure and direction but a large dose of flexibility and ownership. Most have grown up in families
where both parents worked and they received a ton of
autonomy due to crazy work schedules and busy family
lifestyles. Now in their new work careers, they need
to learn and understandmanagerial direction but they are
so independent they won’t tolerate micromanaging and
control. Give them direction and freedom and you will
bring out their best potential and strengths.
LISTEN & PRAISE: What generation doesn’t like
this? Millennials are used to being heard. Ensure that
you give them the opportunity to discuss their work,
life and responsibilities at the office with you to hear
ideas and options for improvement. Praise them when
you see a job well done. A Millennial will be loyal to an
organization that makes them feel valued and helps
them to grow in their career path.
Final words: It’s getting harder to find and hire good
employees. If you have good ones, develop them, motivate
them and find ways to keep them happy. They are the most
important part of your business.
Trudi Charest is the Co-Founder of 4ECPs. 4ECPs is a
business resource company for eye care professionals with
three divisions – Eye Care Jobs, Training & Marketing.
Check out their website at www.4ecps.com or email
[email protected].
EYE FOCUS | June Digital 2016 17