Every generation has their own method of communication and millennials are no different. Because their communication style is very different from previous generations, integrating millennial employees into your company’s culture can be complicated. This week we learn the best methods of communication with this group of team members.
Millennials have come of age in an era of instant connective capabilities which have created very different communication habits. While older generations are used to phone calls, long emails and even daunting staff meetings to receive messages from management, millennials prefer quick, to the point means of correspondence. If you want to send information to a millennial, here are some of the best ways to do it.
Texting Might be Better – With smartphones always in hand, millennials are available via text anytime. Gone are the days of sending a text only when you couldn’t reach someone with a phone call. Now, with full keyboards on all smartphones, sending texts is quicker and easier than a voice call and a preferred method of communication for this younger generation. You can also use apps like Crew [insert link: https://crewapp.com/ ] that allow you to text and manage schedules that your entire team can access.
Emails – While texting is great for sending short exchanges, it is not appropriate for every situation. There are times when management needs to communicate with their team but wants to avoid getting everyone together for a formal meeting. Emails are the perfect way to do this. Keep in mind, that while you CAN fit more information in an email, doesn’t mean you should. Short paragraphs with bulleted points will more likely be read by this generation.
Reserve face to face communication for very important topics like benefits, policies or new project specifications. While all of these are important, millennials are not going to sift through weighty packets trying to understand them. This is when utilizing a face to face meeting works best. If it is not possible to set such a meeting up, create short videos that can be viewed at a convenient time.
The art of communication does not change between generations. Being able to deliver your message clearly, concisely and include all important details is just as important today as it has been in the past. The difference now lies in the form that communication takes.