The rise of the Millennials is changing the way business operates. This generation of digital natives is made up of people born between 1981 and 1997 (18 to 34 years old). If you’re an employer or community leader, you should be especially interested in the Millennials. Here’s why…
According to Statistics New Zealand, this age group is rapidly dominating the New Zealand labour force. Over the past 10 years, while Baby Boomers have been quietly retiring, Millennials have been steadily on the rise. Millennials now make up the single largest age group in the New Zealand labour force, and they’ll make up the majority of the labour force within five years. These changing labour demographics this will have a profound impact on communities throughout New Zealand.
I recently presented a workshop on “Going Digital” in Wanganui. I asked the workshop participants if young people were staying in Wanganui or leaving for better opportunities. They said that by and large the young people were leaving.
Wanganui is a lovely small city that offers many attractions for young people. Housing is affordable, no traffic jams, a good place to raise children, and recreational opportunities galore. But that’s still not quite enough to attract Millennials – or keep them from leaving. According to various research studies, Millennials want work that is challenging and meaningful. They want work/life integration. And they’re digital natives who want to be connected whenever and wherever. They’re a talented, well-educated bunch who make things happen.
Forutnately, communities like Wanganui have been given a wonderful gift: UFB. It’s a key enabler for making communities attractive to this important generation. But the challenge is as much social as it is technical.
Going digital is about learning how to use cloud apps, mobile devices and social media effectively. But business and community leaders also need to learn how to leverage digital technology in a way that creates an attractive environment for Millennials. This might involve more flexible work schedules, virtual teams, collaborative workspaces, more autonomy, opportunities to innovate, etc. It’s a major shift for many employers, and digital enablement involves both encouraging and managing that change.
Communities like Wanganui would do well to attract Millennials. A community that’s attractive to this generation (and like-minded members of other generations) is likely to be more vibrant and economically healthy. On the other hand, failure to attract this group would likely lead to a protracted decline.
Recent Comments