Motivating younger staffers to make their mark

Generation Y, Millenials, the Internet Generation – or whatever you want to call them – have a reputation for becoming bored rather easily. 

While it’s not your job to entertain staffers, if you want them to produce solid work and retain them, you’re better off not letting them get stuck in work ruts.

Millenials crave newness and want to be challenged.

Give them the chance to learn from new projects, people and challenges, and they’ll thrive.

Here are four ways you can help keep them engaged and less likely to jump ship:

1. New challenges? They’re looking for them

Have Millenials try a new task at least once every two months.

Whether it’s a new assignment, team or group, switching their job up – even just a little bit – will increase their level of engagement.

2. Let them tackle problems

Some types of Finance problems are never solved. For example: Getting every employee to turn in timesheets propmtly.

Challenge Millennials to come up with solutions for these kinds of long-term problems.

Have them write up a report and bring their ideas back to you. Who knows, they might surprise you with workable solutions.

3. Mine their tech opinions

Millenials grew up with computers and video games. That doesn’t mean they’re all tech-savvy, as some studies have shown, but they’re more geared towards using and appreciating technology.

So get them involved in tech challenges, like working with new software, experimenting with social media platforms or training other staffers on new processes.

4. Cross-train to boost skills

Once you’re confident they’re proficient at their job, consider letting Millennial staffers work in another department for a day or two.

That’ll help keep them interested in the job, and it’ll benefit the company by uncovering new ways for departments to work together.