Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Monday, 1 February 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Integrating the millennials into a Baby Boomer’s or X generation culture is a huge challenge for organisations. So, ‘what are the organisations doing about it?’
Dr. Nalin Jayasuriya, one of the best trainers and consultants in the country, who’s always keen to share his knowledge and experience, addressed a group of professionals who gathered at Galadari Hotel, Colombo on 22 January to share his perspective on ‘Redefining the management and retention of the millennial’.
He started by saying ‘Employees are not human resources nor human capital – they are human!’ The aspect of changes in the workforce was very clear to everyone when he took them through the transition from Traditionalist, Boomers, Gen X and finally the Millennial. The audience was left perplexed when he put the question on how we are going to manage the unavoidable changes in the way we are working when, i.e., How the workforce see the world, breaking the boundaries of having to work in an office, at a time where everyone can work from anywhere, How to work with an extremely mobile and connecting workforce, etc.
Millennials have plenty of energy and they are well educated, technology savvy, self-confident and able to multi-task whilst having high expectations for themselves which are challenging and need immediate results in their work. They bring their own unique set of expectations, behaviours and preferences extending to their career choices. They will have no fear in challenging the boss. Millennials expect technology to simply work, they collaborate and cooperate with brands, they are looking for adventure, and they are passionate about values.
A convergence of forces is reshaping the global economy with emerging regions, new technologies and spawned communication networks of amazing speed. Therefore, it is imperative for organisations to create a culture of constructive scepticism and surround themselves with people who bring multiple perspectives. It is the time to stop micromanaging and give them space to think and be creative and they perform better when you let them know your expectations, set and provide clear goals and performance standards, by easing off direction when they start 
getting it right, by turning problems back on them for solutions and by asking questions which helps in their thinking process.
It’s challenging enough to manage them. But, how do we reel them in to our organisations obtain the competitive advantage by benefiting from the Millennials. The question is common! ‘Where do we find them?’ Dr. Jayasuriya says ‘they are everywhere!’ and he pressed on the idea that organisations should pay attention to individuals who impresses you with their customer service skills, whether it’s in person or over the phone. Networking events are also effective places to promote your company and find new talent. Not only that, the organisation should know their niche, identify your talent before looking outside, create your brand profile, promote yourself, walk and talk your brand and moreover, use the social media.
