Shaping Company Culture to Attract Millennials

Compensation is still an important factor for anyone looking for a new job, and millennials are no exception. Flexibility in where and when they will work is another factor considered crucial from the perspective of this generation. Above all, however, millennials want to work with companies whose values they share and whose culture lets them grow as professionals and individuals alike. 

Then again, with new and emerging trends such as digital nomadism and remote work, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for companies to build an inextricable bond with this generation of workers. More businesses are setting up branches abroad in addition to enabling remote work, and connecting with millennial workers can be a challenge. Taking into account that millennials will take up about 75% of the workforce by 2025, brands do need to take their culture-building efforts to the next level. Here are a few millennial-friendly ideas you can add to your strategy in the upcoming months!

Clearly define your values

Millennials are famous for their desire to work with brands they can relate to, so they will naturally choose a company that has clearly structured values. For many millennials, climate issues are pivotal, so it’s important to educate your candidate pool that you’re a business that helps preserve the planet, invests in energy efficiency, and the like.

In the same manner, show how your brand lives your values. It’s not enough to have a paragraph on your website for a millennial to remain loyal. Working for companies with strong values elevates employee satisfaction and thus inspires loyalty, so it pays to define your values from the get-go. 

Equality and transparency

According to research, almost two-thirds of the US population are value-driven customers, and millennials lead the way in this attitude when choosing companies to work for, as well. In addition to values such as being green, empowering employee autonomy, or donating to charities, millennials are looking for brands with a clear stance on relevant social issues. 

Make sure that your culture is built on diversity and inclusivity, as well. This is not just a way to impress people in the media or to flaunt your efforts. It needs to be deeply integrated into your belief system and it should help your culture thrive on equality – which will attract millennials in a heartbeat.

Adapt to the local hiring pool

Some trends are global, so you can be sure that equality will resonate with millennials wherever they are. However, when you’re looking to expand your business by working with a global workforce, you need to take into account local idiosyncrasies and preferences, as well as legal necessities. 

When companies decide to hire or expand, they’ll likely work with local lawyers or a nearby metropolis to get advice on adapting their business model to the local audience. That includes how you present your culture, how you formulate your HR practices, and how you approach potential millennial employees. 

Flexibility in your brand’s DNA

Making flexibility part of your corporate culture will be pivotal to attract millennial employees to not just work for your brand, but to stay loyal to your business. Especially in markets with great potential for entrepreneurship and nomadism such as the US, millennial employees choosing just one employer want to have the ability and the freedom to not be stuck in that nine-to-five loop. 

They also don’t want to be stuck in offices all the time, and that’s why remote work or a hybrid environment is crucial.

It’s all about work-life balance

No millennial will settle for a job that’s mere grunt work with no substance or purpose. They’ll invest their time and creativity into delivering the best possible results. But in exchange, they want some semblance of balance in their lives, as they want to have a personal life that’s based on quality social interactions, as well as fitness and health.

Being millennial-friendly in terms of culture means that you are always open to listen to their needs, and help them achieve their goals. Regular advancement opportunities, healthy work hours, perks that encourage them to stay healthy – all of these are just a few ways that you can use to show that you care about the person, not just the position they occupy. 

Millennials may seem like a generation that wants all kinds of perks and benefits, but in reality, they are merely keeping up with the times and want to work for more than just financial stability. They seek purpose and professional fulfillment, and they recognize that their role in any business needs to be valued, but not just on paper. The key here is not to rush your culture-building process, but to let your millennial workforce shape your business as you learn more about their needs and preferences.