Communicating With Gen Y

Communicating with Gen Y employees can be a challenging task, but with the right communications strategies and approach in place, Gen Y can offer organizations an innovative, energetic, committed and tech savvy addition to the workforce.

Give them cutting-edge technology.
Generation Y grew up with computers, ipods, and PlayStations and this techno upbringing shapes their work expectations. Organisations can successfully motivate Yers by structuring their work so that it is congruent with their technical prowess. For a start, allow them to communicate with customers via instant messaging, provide training on-demand in multi-media formats, and give them Internet access for research and resources.

Rewards and incentives with immediate payout.
Gen Y are skeptical of long-term commitments from employers. Many younger workers have seen their parents lose jobs to downsizing and outsourcing and this has led to doubts about their own futures. For any reward to work with a Gen Y, it has to be very short term. So instead of an annual review with a huge payout, consider a monthly review with a moderate payout.

Keep them posted
Generation Y has grown accustomed to accessing information instantly through such leading edge technologies as Wi-fi, Ti-Vo, Google, and podcasts. They expect to be in the know and in the know immediately. Give them company information through digital channels and also deliver training in high-tech digital mediums.

Present information/goals in very very small bit-size.
Gen Y work most productively when big tasks are broken down into small steps with goals that are realistic. They respond very well to training programs that allow them to pick and choose the subjects that they need most, especially when those subjects are presented in short, high-impact, media rich formats.

Frequent feedback.
Experts assert that Gen Y are used to reinforcement at a rate that is 50-100 times greater than Boomers. A lot of Yers grew up spending hundreds of hours each year playing video games and these electronic games provided immediate, clear feedback on their performance. In the workplace Generation Y expects supervisors and managers to provide immediate clear feedback frequently and promptly.

Work flexibility.
Gen Y grew up in flexible times and as adolescents they had a lot of say over their world. They want say in everything from benefits to scheduling to the option of telecommuting. Generation Y expects work to accommodate their personal and family life.

Getting involved with Gen Y.
Managing from behind a desk will be most ineffective with Gen Y. They want to see managers roll up their sleeves up and get the feet/hands wet. This keeps management in touch with the challenges their people experience everyday.