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Need employees? Better tech up | November 17, 2008
Young Canadians want workplace social media networks, intranets, instant messaging and virtual conferences
By Peter Wolchak
Kids these days, with their social networking sites, instant messaging and wikis. They’re so into all this stuff that when they enter the workforce they look for companies that offer similar innovative technologies; those that don’t will struggle to find new employees, according to a study from Insurity and Microsoft.
The study focused on hiring in the insurance industry, but its conclusions have broader applicability. The companies looked at Canadian and American millennials, people born between 1981 and 2001, and found they want to use innovative technologies in the workplace—such as corporate portals similar to social networking sites, instant messaging and virtual meetings—and they expect insurance companies to provide online account access and Web-based support when companies interact with them as consumers.
In a break out of the Canadian numbers, 88 per cent born from 1980 to 1990 are more likely to work at companies with innovative tech.
“Millennials have been marinated in digital technology almost since birth,” said Rob Salkowitz, a workplace expert and author of Generation Blend. “When they come to work, their expectations are shaped by their experiences as students and consumers, and access to social computing technology is a big part of that. Employers should factor in those expectations when trying to recruit, retain and motivate young workers.”
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By Peter Wolchak
Kids these days, with their social networking sites, instant messaging and wikis. They’re so into all this stuff that when they enter the workforce they look for companies that offer similar innovative technologies; those that don’t will struggle to find new employees, according to a study from Insurity and Microsoft. The study focused on hiring in the insurance industry, but its conclusions have broader applicability. The companies looked at Canadian and American millennials, people born between 1981 and 2001, and found they want to use innovative technologies in the workplace—such as corporate portals similar to social networking sites, instant messaging and virtual meetings—and they expect insurance companies to provide online account access and Web-based support when companies interact with them as consumers.
In a break out of the Canadian numbers, 88 per cent born from 1980 to 1990 are more likely to work at companies with innovative tech.
“Millennials have been marinated in digital technology almost since birth,” said Rob Salkowitz, a workplace expert and author of Generation Blend. “When they come to work, their expectations are shaped by their experiences as students and consumers, and access to social computing technology is a big part of that. Employers should factor in those expectations when trying to recruit, retain and motivate young workers.”
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