What are we looking for when searching for new talent? Is it a personable, savvy, self-starter of an individual? One who is collaborative and resourceful, who shows initiative, and is flexible?

Over the course of six interviews with Katie Ly (GO! Experience Design), Melissa Berry (Ketchum), Stephanie Shum (Fathom Communications), Lauren Stephenson (Hearts & Science), Ed Frankel (Omnicom Health Group), and Perri Grinberg (RAPP). We found that the best ways to reach experienced millennials is to provide them with a workplace that accepts you for you, gives you feedback, and support. Allowing them to be heard no matter what their title may be is prominent. Does this sound like the “typical workplace” to you? Because it shouldn’t. This is what the workplace environment in the near future will look like.

Millennials want an organization that customizes the workplace environment. A culture that is unlike anything else. The difference between millennials and other generations is that millennials will take the steps needed in order to get those things to happen.

The five strategic actions that your company can do to best reach experienced millennials:

o Provide a diverse cultureo Build an open door policyo Create incentives within the workplace as a way to show that they are recognizedo Allow them to have a voiceo Take initiative to show that they are being heard

Overall, it’s not only understanding the best ways to reach experienced millennials by what they want and need in the workplace. Essentially taking the initiative and implementing it is strategic! Taking action is imperative. For example, some of our companies are creating ways to help support and improve their workplace.

At GO! Experience Design, they implemented a company-wide “Balance Challenge,” where over the course of several weeks, they engaged in various group activities that helped them learn ways to maintain happier, healthier, more productive lives. The areas of focus included rest and work, exercise, nutrition, relationships, and fun. It was a fantastic way to interact and bond with colleagues.

Ketchum has a group called “Random Acts of Ketchum”, which provides a culture for people to enjoy, such as kudos cards- You can write to your team when they do well and you get-

How to Best Reach Experienced Millennials in the

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recognized by the office director or CEO. You then can choose a prize or go have coffee with the CEO or office manager.

Some of Hearts & Science’s best practices to keep millennials engaged and motivated is by showing their people that they are heard. For example they have a culture committee, fireside chats, and weekly events such as a happy hour. The culture committee is to collaborate and come up with different aids to improve the company along with advancing the individual.

Fathom Communications created 10 maxims, their version of the 10 commandments. These maxims keep each individual grounded in the work they do. The maxims help each Fathomite to stay focused on every challenge as well as their professional growth. Some of which are Fast & Smart, Be a Student, Tell a Story, and many more. Maxim Awards are given out when those maxims are seen in action. As part of the Be a Student Maxim, they offer Fathom University which is dedicated to employee growth. They have partners come in to share the latest technology, trends, and offerings. Sometimes they are self-led by Fathomites themselves.

What are you waiting for? Apply the five main factors on how to best reach and access experienced millennials in your workplace! These factors are a very distinctive competitive advantage over other companies by providing a workplace that is unique, innovative, and enjoyable.

Quotes from our own:“Employees matter- we acknowledge them by providing them with an open door policy to the president, weekly happy hours, fireside chats. We listen to our people but most importantly we hear them.” Lauren Stephenson, Hearts & Science

“Millennials are the bridge to accessibility to technology” Stephanie Shum, Fathom Communications

“Starting with interns from the ground up would be our best techniques for recruiting and retaining millennials” Perri Grinberg, RAPP

“Millennials are adaptable and are in the know with culture. They pick up things faster, especially with technology. They are resourceful. That’s important in the workplace” Katie Ly, GO! Experience Design

By: Casey Farley