The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 24: April/May 2016 | Page 19

THE AGE OF THE MILLENNIAL

Meet the Wiltshire
Millennials under 25
While the answers on the previous page
may throw some light on the employee
or employer, equally illuminating are the
social ‘norms’ for those Millennials who
are in the younger age bracket. Here
are some questions and answers from
Siobhan Cran, aged 16, Simon Davies,
aged 23 and Sammie Scott, aged 16.

Expert voices
So why is any of this important? I’ve asked two
entrepreneurs who are not Millennials but who
have researched this generation, to share why they
think Millennials need to be considered carefully.

Delia Zanatta and Teresa Fox are cofounders of online flexible working
recruitment company VennPoint.

Sammie Scott

Simon Davies

Siobhan Cran

If you want to buy an
object, item of clothing
or a gift where would
you start?

What do you use
your phone for?

If you forget your
telephone how do
you feel?

Siobhan – ‘Internet.’

Siobhan – ‘Youtube,
Google, calls,
messages, social media,
games, news.”

Siobhan – ‘I panic…’

Simon – ‘Google.’
Sammie – ‘Local
supermarket.’

Simon – ‘Playing
games and checking
Facebook. Making and
receiving phone calls
and texts infrequently
because I use Facebook
messenger where
possible.’
Sammie – ‘Listening to
music, taking photos,
talking to my friends
on social media, Netflix,
occasionally using apps,
texting, making a call.’

Simon – ‘Miffed off
but not the end of the
world. Not a massive
issue.’
Sammie – “I feel a
bit insecure in that I
feel unsafe but that’s
because I couldn’t get
hold of anyone if I
needed to.’

Delia said:
“Millennials are now coming of age in
terms of purchasing power. They are avid
and highly-educated, savvy consumers
who are used to plenty of choice. They are
incredibly comfortable with technology, enjoy
experiences and adventure and are used to
instant gratification. When they like or dislike
a product or service, they will often “amplify”
their experience and shout about it over
social media.”
She says those who are selling to this
generation need to:
1. Offer a good deal but also good quality.
2. Ensure the purchase process is mobile and
simple providing relevant information and
online support.
3. Be responsive on social media – not just
promoting products or services but also
generating intelligent, relevant ‘content’
and actively engaging in conversations.
When recruiting Millennials, Teresa said:
“Miillennials are often labelled as being very
self “me” focused and ‘needy’. Actually they
are highly ambitious and want varied and
meaningful work together with a clear path
to career progression and self development
with plenty of feedback and support. They
are hungry for responsibility, so it’s key
to make progression opportunities clear.
Take time to learn about their goals and
demonstrate how they will fit within the
bigger picture of the organisation.”
She says Millennials want to:
Develop long term relationships… but on
their terms.

Blend their career with everything else
they see as important: family, community,
self development and so on.
Tech savvy but they are also very peopleoriented.
Be valued at work – not only with money
but through achievement, sense of
purpose, social and charitable benefits and
flexibility.
Nicola McHale is founder of Vi
International and chair of Vistage Group
Chair for Swindon, Bristol and Bath.
She said: “I see time and time again the
Generation X or the Baby Boomers trying to
force a Millennial down their own welltrodden route. Don’t do that - they like to
forge their own paths not yours.”
She believes you can motivate a Millennial by
playing to their strengths such as:
using them to improve your business and
bring it up to date especially with social
media.
tapping into their needs for growth and
development – provide life skills training as
well as work related training.
allowing them to take risks, make mistakes
BUT learn from them.
giving them a mentor.
Nicola said: “With Millennials talk about
the future not the past – they only want to
move forward! Allow flexibility of working
– don’t try and control them. They want an
influential role in the big picture vision and
mission – so use them. Don’t try and stop
them.
“Try some of these tips and keep your high
potential Millennials and whatever you do
DON’T expect them to follow your rules –
they will just walk away.”

THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2016 19