By the year 2025, millennials will make up approximately 75 percent of the workforce, reports Laura Gayle of Better -SMB /Marketing.
She suggests 10 ways to give your organizations work area a facelift and a positive culture shift:
“To attract and retain workers, from this growing population, you have to create a company culture that caters to these tech savvy individuals by learning what makes them tick.”
Here are some tips to consider…
1. Move your offices downtown.
Having offices close to restaurants and other amenities, like ‘downtown’ Lexington, Columbia, Cayce and the like. By making it easy to walk back the forth to work within minutes, you’ll attract a younger workforce.
We moved our business offices to the middle of Lexington, near the Ice House Amphitheatre, so after work you can get a bite to eat and see a performance, in town.
2. Get rid of cubicles.
Consider modernizing your office to invite collaboration by breaking down cubicle walls. Choose oversized shared desks, group teams together in areas; some strategically placed bar height tables and stools, for example. For privacy, provide a few quiet offices that can be used for one-on-one meetings, phone calls, or simply when someone needs privacy to work alone.
3. Consider Your décor.
Ask a local decorator to help with some new interior design trends and work environments that millennials might like; for example, industrial looks, reclaimed wood, and sliding doors. A fresh coat of paint, like we have done, in new trendy colors works well too.
4. Create breakout areas.
Breakout areas refer to any open space that is separate from the usual work area where employees can relax, eat lunch, take a break and even hold informal meetings. Transform areas by adding comfortable sectional sofas, and even picnic tables. Bring in bright colors and textures; light blue, yellow and even pale shades of green are good choices to help minimize stress.
5. Update Your Break Room.
A way to a millennial’s heart is through their stomach, with a break room upgrade. Create a café like area; if budget is tight, at the very least consider a well stocked coffee bar, and a selection of healthy food options like fruit, granola bars, and instant oatmeal.
Next Week: 5 more ways to make your workplace Millennial friendly!