Call them what you will, Millennials, the Millennial Generation, Generation Y or the Net Generation are the future of our workplace, a growing and very important part of today’s talent pool. In fact, according to American company Bronto, a worldwide provider of cloud-based commerce marketing automation platforms , Millennials number a staggering 79 million and will soon surpass Baby Boomers as the largest age group. Furthermore, when asked what makes their generation unique, Millennials rank “technology use” as number one whereas, in stark contrast, their Baby Boomer colleagues claim “work ethic” to be their most defining characteristic.

Small wonder then that the influx of Millennials is driving companies to assess and re-evaluate their approach to people management and nowhere is this more evident than in the contact centre. Contact centres are challenging but highly rewarding places to work. As the first point of call for many customers, they are a critical component of an organisation’s business operation and the agents who work in them have an increasingly vital role to play in creating an excellent service experience and establishing strong brand loyalty.

Make employee engagement top priority
What employers need to understand is that Millennials put work/life balance and social responsibility ahead of their careers. Take their use of social media for example. Statistics from consumer research giant Nielsen reveal that 51% of 25-34 year-olds regularly take time out of the work day to use social networking in the office and that this section of the population typically logs 20-21 hours each month on social media.

Millennials want to feel part of their community, whether at work or at play. The best way to engage with them in contact centres is to create a work environment where agents feel involved and a part of everything from the company mission, to their fellow team members and the customers they serve. This is a generation of workers that will leave a company if they are not constantly acknowledged, rewarded and engaged.

Many organisations are realising that to have highly motivated and engaged employees they will need to make changes to how they operate. Gamification, agent self-service and workforce management flexibility will bring out the best in employees including the Millennials.

Baby Boomers beware it’s time to adjust your approach to people management, take the bull by the horns, follow these eight simple steps and be rewarded with motivated, loyal staff who will help you get the most out of your business.