Faris Alami article appears at The Michigan Journal:
http://media.www.themichiganjournal.com/media/storage/paper255/news/2008/01/22/Perspectives/Compromise.Will.Be.Key.To.A.Productive.Millenial.Workforce-3161519.shtml

Here is a copy od Faris Alami Article
Compromise will be key to a productive Millenial workforce
By: Faris Alami
Posted: 1/22/08They're young, large in number and coming soon to a cubicle or office near you. Over the next 15 years the Millennials, born between 1981 and 2000 and also known as Generation Y, Echo Boomers and Nexters, will enter the workforce. The oldest are searching for their first post-college job, and the youngest are still in grade school. However, they already impact every sector of the economy in a big way, and today's workplace is no exception. Companies should strive to meet the needs of this generation because, as the economy improves and Baby Boomers begin exiting the workforce, Millennials, like the majority of UM-D students, will be needed to fill the void. What some members of previous generations see as flaws in the character of Millenials can actually be their greatest strengths. Although the generation about to enter the workforce will have to make concessions to tradition, employers too, will have to adjust to the Millenial work style, capitalizing on their strengths, rather than bemoaning their so-called weaknesses.Rather than drastically differing from preceding generations, Millenials are a combination of those who came before. Millennials have enough skepticism, like Generation X, to keep them asking healthy questions; enough political savvy, like the Baby Boomers, to know "who's who;" and enough respect for character, like the Traditionalists, to incorporate individual responsibility into their jobs. As clothing companies and car manufacturers stumble over themselves to market to this generation, employers should also learn the preferences of a group who, when they come of age, will be nearly as large and certainly more diverse than their predecessors.Growing up in the on-demand era when the Internet delivers the world to one's fingertips, Millennials aren't used to waiting for anything. This expectation of an immediate response spills over into the workplace, where Millennials like an accessible supervisor who offers frequent feedback on projects and job performance. To a supervisor of a different generation, this can seem like neediness, but if management is willing to compromise, this desire can be an excellent motivational tool.Since their work styles and habits differ from their Boomer parents, it makes sense that Millennials expect their work arrangements. This generation will help redefine the concept of a traditional work day, throwing the nine-to-five concept out the window. As a generation that values their hobbies and personal interests as much as they do their "day jobs," Millennials consider flexible work hours a must for maintaining a work-life balance. Flexible benefits, including health and retirement plans, are also important. After seeing their parents laid off from companies to which they devoted a sizeable portion of their careers, many Millennials don't plan on spending enough time at a company to become fully vested in their retirement plans or 401(k) options. Therefore, it is important for employers to offer a variety of retirement savings plans that allow Millennials to save for their future while not punishing them for leaving after a few years by losing company contributions to their retirement accounts. Although recent graduates shouldn't expect to set their own hours the moment they enter the workforce, with time and supervisory flexibility, both Millenials and their employers can benefit from adjusting working hours and benefits.As expert multi-taskers, Millennials are always ready to tackle a new project or learn a new skill. Millennials are willing to work hard when they feel what they are doing is valuable and intellectually stimulating. This group is familiar with a high-achievement mentality, however, they're also used to getting a reward when their goal is realized. This can lead to conflict, as some employers don't see the necessity of handing out kudos to every employee that simply does their job. So, if Millenials will adjust to the fact that they don't really deserve a trophy just for showing up on time, or remembering to do their jobs, and employers will work in a little more praise for Millenial employees who do go the extra mile, the end result will be a more productive workplace.Of course, every characteristic won't apply to every Millennial. However, learning more about this generation is an easy way to understand some of their preferences and integrate them within a company. By the same token, Millenials must also learn to adjust to a workplace that is likely unfamiliar with, and even resistant to, the new generation's work style. But if both Millenials and those who employ them will take the time to understand inter-generational communication and work styles, the result will be a welcoming and productive environment for the newest group of the nation's workers.
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