Some early studies on the characteristics of millennials in the workplace indicated that the terms “employee retention” and “millennial employee” will be mutually exclusive.   However this projection was viewed in a down economy and when we hardly knew adult millennials.  Now that US businesses have had some experience with this new generation of workers in a healthier economy it appears it may only be redefining of the word “retention”.   

By now you may have heard of some of these millennial workstyle differentials like:

1. Team-based work
2. Work-life balance
3. Tech-savvy mindsets
4. Civically engaged (“giving back”)
5. Speedy advancement
6. Immediate results

This generation is the largest to enter the workforce since the baby boomers.  As such, these differentiators will require a new strategy for how workers are nurtured and how office productivity is measured. 

The virtual office and flex hours continue to increase in popularity as a key component of millennial work-life balance.  It is friendly to when and where employees deem themselves the most productive.  It forces outcome-based evaluations that require frequent performance reviews, but can impede cultural transformations and employee interaction - especially for newer companies.  Hence why companies limit the amount of virtual hours and days employees can use. The personal relationships that are built via human interaction are critical to the overall success of a company in every generation.  So while the virtual and flexible features will meet some of the workstyle needs of millennials, it is equally important that the physical work environment be a modern and friendly place to go when they aren’t working virtually.  

Now in their late 20s, millennials are no longer seeking the office playground but rather a modern environment where they can professionally interact informally.  A place where the line between their workstyle and lifestyle is blurred.  A place where they feel appreciated and look forward to going.  This type of comfort in how they live while working is as important, even more important to some, than compensation and builds retention.  A simple change like upgrading coffee from 1950's drip brewer to an office cafe can be all it takes.  

 [Click here to learn about all the Office Coffee options in today's market.]

A few months ago we installed one of our automated barista coffee machines in a 24/7 call center with a large number of millennial aged employees.  As we do with every new customer, we asked that they give us their blunt feedback on each of the 14 new recipes we setup for them on the automated barista so that we could make adjustments to get each recipe exactly how they liked it.  The versatility of our machines allows us to truly meet the collective pallet of each customer.  This particular customer went to the extent of creating feedback forms and a collection box for the employees to use for their comments.  The following week I went through the 12 feedback forms that had been collected to that point by the company from their employees.  But none of them said anything about recipe changes.  All 12 of them were comments on how appreciative they were that the company had done this for them -

              "..this is the best thing this company has done."

                                                "Thank you for adding this great benefit."

                                                                      "I really feel appreciated.  It is saving me so much money."

                          "I can't believe you have done this for us.  Thank you."

What they use to do sitting in a coffee shop, can be authentically replicated in the office in a very affordable manner.  If you are still serving ground coffee only in your workplace to your employees and customers it may be time to look at how simple creating a cafe' feel in your workplace can be.  If the ground coffee you're currently serving is made by individual cup (K-cup, Flavia, Tassimo, Nespresso) it may be time you see the difference that automated baristas can have on your office experience - and actually save you money in the process.

Look at what Office Coffee means today...

Many people don't realize how far office coffee has come in the last 15 years.  Nearly 25% of all coffee consumed in the US is consumed in the office.  But the idea of changing coffee never really gets to the top of anyone's priority list.  It should, because its easy.

Finding the right coffee service to meet the needs (and culture) of your organization is not difficult if you know where to start.  Moving from a pre-ground single-cup type product to a bean-to-cup service is incredible value because of the superior quality for even less money.  Going from what your grandfather drank when he went into the office to a bean-to-cup automated barista service will be a bit more expensive, but like trading in your horse & buggy for a Tesla.  In both cases your millennial employees will notice the difference, feel appreciated and want to stay with you longer. 

There are workplace adjustments to be make to accommodate the workstyle nuances of every generation.  But they don't all have to be complicated or expensive, just meaningful.  We have seen many examples of how those adjustments leave a lasting impression.