Millennials and the new workplace

Broadcast Newsroom (via YPulse) published an excellent speech by Pat Esser on the expectations of Echo Boomers as they enter the job market. Echo Boomers (also called Millennials) number 80 million will soon comprise the majority of the work force, and by 2014, they will dominate the U.S. population. According to Esser, Echo Boomers are "poised to become the most powerful generation thus far".

• They're confident in their ability to succeed, and they're optimistic about their place in the world.
• They are collaborative team players, who are able to think, work and achieve in groups.
• They're practically immune to gender gaps and racial divides.
• They're smarter than previous generations. Their aptitude test scores are up.
• They're activists. They want to live and work where it's clean, safe and green.

[...]Echo boomers' propensity to 'hop around' is not necessarily because they don't want to stick with a company long-term, it's just that they get impatient when their needs are not being met quickly enough. As employers, we must recognize that many echo boomers don't mind being on Blackberry all weekend as long as they have flexibility during the week. In a nutshell, an echo boomer's dream job likely includes: social networks; work/life balance; personal growth; work that matters; opportunities to do good; quality of life; and creativity.

But Current Boomers are understandably concerned as a new generation begins to dominate the workplace and consumer landscape. A recent report from 60 Minutes paints a mostly negative picture of the Millennials, challenging their work ethic and attitude, but also conceding that expectations are high in part because of standards their parents have set.

To Millennials like myself, our entry into the work force feels like a changing of the guard. And although many employers recognize this new school mindset, few of them can fully prepare to meet the needs and expectations of Millennials. The companies that do will be the first to really see what types of effects that an Millennials workforce will have on their business.

"Echo Boomers: Changing the Pace and Face of Business" (Broadcast Newsroom)
"The Millennials are Coming" (CBS News)

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