Millennials will make up about 35% of the workforce by 2020.
What does that mean for you?
You’re likely going to be recruiting employees from this generation very soon (if you haven’t already). So how can you attract the best candidates from the millennial generation?
Make sure your IT strategy is up to their technology-savvy standards.
Here’s what to keep in mind as you improve your IT strategy for millennials.
They Need Top-Notch Technology
Millennials are not your average technology users. They aren’t content to work on old or slow computers. In fact, many millennials would be happy to bring their own device to work.
One study found that 82% of millennials said the quality of the technology in the office would affect their decision to accept the job, and 42% said they would quit a job due to old technology.
Related: 5 common questions about cloud computing
Clearly, you need new equipment if you want to attract millennials to your business. This also speaks to a bigger discussion; to attract more tech-savvy workers, you’ll need to keep updated technology in mind at all times.
They Need Faster Tech Products To Be Productive
Not only do your tech products need to be new, but they also need to be fast. Don’t try cutting corners with second-rate hardware or software. Otherwise, your millennial employees simply won’t be very productive.
One study confirmed this when it discovered that millennials are more likely than other generations to perform non-work related tasks while waiting for their computer to do something.
58% of baby boomers said they would complete paper-based tasks for work while waiting for their computer to load, while 44% of millennials would do the same.
Meanwhile, 28% of millennials would go on social media or make personal calls during that time, which is something only 8% of baby boomers would do. Ensure your computers are fast enough to prevent excessive downtime at work if you want productive employees.
They Want to Stay in Constant Communication
Another fact to know about millennials is that they want to stay in constant contact with their job. They’re used to it since they grew up texting and instant messaging their friends, family members and eventually their coworkers and bosses. This is why many workplaces that employ lots of millennials use chat programs like Skype, Facebook Messenger and Slack, allowing instant communication from any device.
Related: 4 Basic Computer Tips You Should Always Remember
You can take this concept a step further by using chatbots in the workplace, also called workbots. They can work within programs like Slack, and they even work on mobile devices. Millennials can use workbots to get specific tasks done, such as making a schedule, sharing information with co-workers, asking for time off and more. As you can see, workbots and other chatting options can improve productivity at work.
They Want the Option to Work Remotely
Yet another way to increase productivity among millennials is to allow them to work from anywhere, at least part of the time. Studies have shown that employees who telecommute are happier with their job and more productive than those who have to be in the office every day.
In fact, 84% of millennials say that work-life balance is the most important feature when they’re looking for a job, and having more flexibility with where they can work from is an attractive bonus.
Related: 4 Things Your In-House IT Guy is Failing At
One of the best ways to give employees more flexibility in where they work—while also protecting company data—is desktop virtualization. This means employees can access the information they need for work, not just from their desktop in the office, but from anywhere—including their laptop and mobile devices.
With desktop virtualization, employees can view the apps and programs they need to get their work done, and yet sensitive information is still secure because you can remotely wipe it from any device if necessary. So if your employee’s device is lost or stolen, you don’t have to worry about the information on it getting out.
Related: Keep IT CAPEX costs down with virtual desktops
Focus Your IT Strategy on the Future with RedNight
If you need help updating your IT strategy, contact RedNight Consulting today. Our technology solutions will help give you a shot at recruiting millennials and other valuable employees in the future!