Successfully integrating Millennials into the company is an essential skill for small and medium sized businesses. The 18 to 30 year old, tech savvy, competitive individuals that make up Generation Y are rapidly filling today’s talent pool. Employers need to learn how to acclimate Millennials to the work environment and harness their creativity and skills to benefit the business.

Aside from offering competitive pay, there are many ways to motivate Millennials in your company. Here are our top 5 recommendations:

1. Mesh the Millennials with existing employees. Creating one cohesive, tightknit group is ideal for any business, but is especially important when integrating new Generation Y employees with your existing workforce. Prevent any generational divide by promoting a team atmosphere and hosting social events or team bonding activities for employees. A positive team atmosphere will also hold employees accountable for their actions, which is a great motivational tool. Having a team relationship can also help employees identify with the company, its missions, and ideals. 

2. Offer incentives to get the daily tasks done. At our Michigan IT services company, we recently implemented an employee incentive program and have already seen a dramatic increase in productivity. Even a simple incentive program, as I described in my last blog post, can motivate employees and enhance performance.  

3. Offer learning opportunities, coaching, and mentoring. Help Millennials enhance their skillset while on the job. They want to learn and grow as professionals. Teaching and mentoring will help employees build a trusting relationship with their superiors and build loyalty to the company, all while helping the employee become a more productive and skilled member of the team.   

4. Keep them moving. Stagnancy is the enemy of Generation Y workers. Millennials want to feel that they are moving up in the company, or at least have the realistic ability to do so. Discuss potential career opportunities at annual or semi-annual one-on-one meetings between management and staff. We have found this to be a great tactic with our Generation Y Michigan computer consultants.  

5. Set attainable goals. Encourage Millennials to set challenging goals. Having open discussions with your employees about goal setting and personal professional challenges can be a great motivating tool. When employees set their own goals, they are much more likely to be motivated to achieve them. If your Generation Y employee shows initiative and reaches goals, give greater responsibilities as a reward.