Drew McLellan of Top Dog, MMG/Agency Management Institute, and Susan Baier, Owner of Audience Audit, took the stage in the morning to share the findings from their new research on managing millennials.
Also known as “Generation Y” and “Generation Me”, millennials are typically accused of being lazy and entitled.
#millenials don’t like being called millenials. @Susanbaier @DrewMcLellan #INBOUND16
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
But a large part of the world’s workforce now comprises millennials, making it essential for agency owners to be able to address their needs and harness their considerable talents.
McLellan and Baier’s research data was aimed at providing the key to managing millennials effectively.
I’m a data nerd. >@drewmclellan & @susanbaier share hard core research data about #millenials at agencies. #inbound16 pic.twitter.com/ZhHsx74RWv
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
Excellent & surprising statistically proven data on millenials at agencies from @susanbaier @DrewMcLellan at #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/dKhDjxlSRb
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
Armed with this knowledge, agency owners should be able to assess potential employees better, recruit talent more effectively, and keep their employees motivated and happy.
McLellan and Baier’s talk was enthusiastically received by the INBOUND16 audience.
Listening to @DrewMcLellan talk about Managing Millennials! Killing it! 🙂 #growth pic.twitter.com/SYVq6gXGrp
— Josh Coffy (@JoshCoffy) November 9, 2016
Great presentation as always by @susanbaier and @DrewMcLellan on the millennial workforce and how to best incentivize them #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/MYQL2t7SB2
— Alix Parker (@parkerbot2000) November 9, 2016
One of the key points of the talk was the need to distinguish between different types of employees, irrespective of their ages.
Differentiate between:
Agency advocates v. Prosperity partners v. Millennial mindset@susanbaier @DrewMcLellan #INBOUND16 #millenials— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
Agency advocates are passionate about work, act as owners & love their jobs. Retain them!@susanbaier @DrewMcLellan #INBOUND16 #millenials
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
Agency employees are hungry to spend more 1:1 time with seasoned mentors. @susanbaier @DrewMcLellan #INBOUND16 #millenials
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
On the other hand, according to Baier and McLellan, the “millennial mindset” refers to a disengaged state of mind that is independent of age.
‘Millenial mindset’ is NOT age specific, generally less engaged employees span all ages. @susanbaier @DrewMcLellan #INBOUND16 #millenials
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
It isn’t about the ‘millenial’, it’s about the mindset. @susanbaier @DrewMcLellan #millenials #INBOUND16
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
In fact, the research says that most younger employees don’t have the “millennial mindset”.
Research shows most younger employees at agencies don’t carry the ‘#millennial mindset’. Stop labeling. @susanbaier @DrewMcLellan #INBOUND16
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
‘Millennial mindset’ can strike at any age. 70% of #millenials at your agency want to be there & learn. @susanbaier @DrewMcLellan #INBOUND16
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
What matters above all to most millennials is having the chance to learn new things.
What matters most to #millennials is opportunity to learn & improve their skills in the workplace. @susanbaier @DrewMcLellan #INBOUND16
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
And this is something that is not unique to this generation, but true for employees belonging to any age group. A rewarding career can mean different things to different people, but almost everyone wants the opportunity to develop their skills and grow.
Compensation is a broader conversation than $$$. @susanbaier @DrewMcLellan #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/w0pwVVSGdc
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
So agency owners should simply focus on providing that and stop worrying about their employees’ ages. This will help them increase employee retention across the board.
Help your employees learn and grow! Don’t worry about Millennials. TY @DrewMcLellan and @susanbaier great session #INBOUND16
— Sonja Gray (@sonjagray) November 9, 2016
Investing in all employees’ continued educational development increases retention. @susanbaier @drewmclellan #INBOUND16
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
Statistically validated data PROVES we should stop worrying about age & focus on helping all employees learn & grow. @susanbaier #INBOUND16
— Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) November 9, 2016
So there you have it. The key to managing millennials is the same as it is for everyone else: providing them the chance to learn and grow.
For more session recaps, check out the rest of our INBOUND16 coverage.