How to adapt to the changing employee

While I smile to myself at how much technology, and in particular robotics and artificial intelligence will impact the number of jobs in marketing, I am acutely aware that nothing replaces human contact and collaboration.

I've aged. I often shake my head at the way the world is changing, and sometimes I am not changing fast enough with it.

Old-fashion, but modern

As an old-fashion boss in some ways; I cook meals for my team in Melbourne each week if I am there, and even give them a hug if they need it... it's the adaptation to the ever changing, completely unexpected motivators in the new breed of employee coming through that really is challenging. I do believe that the younger generation are the leaders of today, and not tomorrow, and while once in my day of working for someone else, it was all in the employers court, it now is firmly placed in the millennial centre court, and we have to work out how to play, and ensure that they are always winning the game.

Challenges across the board

My challenges are not my own. They exist for most companies and so much has been written online about millennials and how hard it is to work them out. I finally have come to the realisation that except for the need for drug testing, we need to work out ways to accomodate mental health issues even though by law it cannot be talked about, just by seeing the signs, and bring in new ways in which employees can live fulfilling careers and change if they want to without affecting the company that they leave.

The ball is in their court, and at some stage the old guard will die off, and this new breed will re-define how business is done, if they have not already done so at a level that is sustainable.

Things we know for sure:

Change is constant, adapt or die

The workplace has to change constantly, and in some way adopt new ways in which to keep employees interested. Yes, we have home cooked lunches, endless holidays after one year, and a 7 hour billable day for consultants, but there are other things that need to occur to ensure that they are happy, healthy and committed. We have a revolving manager program as we haven't had a CEO/Manager for more than 6 years. This means that each team member becomes the manager for the week, responsible for all outcomes, performance and feedback to employees.

Stand up and be counted

We have standup meeting where people share how they feel, and things about themselves that no-one knows so that they get to understand themselves better. 

Mostly everyone in our offices is kind and considerate. We all pull our weight and genuinely care about each other. They are interviewing new staff for our growing business, and millennial turnover, and all of a sudden they have become more protective and harder on candidates. It is very much about company culture, but also having each other's back. If someone has something to bring to the table they are interested. If it is going to be a one-way street where they teach the new candidate everything, they are less inclined to hire them. 

Values are everything

I like these changes, and know that it is the people behind Marketing Eye that will steer our new direction and reinforce our values of honesty, kindness, care, integrity and commitment.