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2015 will be a tumultuous and transformational year in many areas of corporate talent, according to Bersin Deloitte's predictions for 2015[ 1 ] which state that workforce engagement and retention have become front burners of concern for organisations. In a job market that is providing younger employees, in particular, with increasing flexibility to jump ship, why are so many organisations failing to talk to Generation Y (Gen Y) in the language they understand? It is that shortcoming which is resulting in poor retention rates amongst younger employees.
Human resource (HR) departments are often directed from the top and that tends to mean a more mature Generation X (Gen X) management trying and often failing to communicate with Gen Y prospects. This older generation of managers requires a better understanding in modern day language and platforms by their own Gen Y employees. This will improve peer-to-peer relations and immediately break down perceived barriers between entry-level employees and senior leaders.
Targeted communications will enable to organisations to attract and retain the right people. Gen Y mobile - Apps and SMS work better for them than phone and email. A multimedia approach, enticing prospective recruits to click through to a video clip promoting the business as a great place to work can be very effective.
Speaking the right language
Getting the language right for this generation is key - but "honestly", as Gen Y would say, getting it wrong is just "awkward", so organisations need to involve Gen Y employees in creating an effective communications strategy. That should also include face-to-face communications - perhaps surprisingly, in one survey, 52 per cent of Gen Ys actually preferred face-to-face communication to e-mailing (18 per cent)...