Millennials are the first generation to be raised in the digital era, and they are the group that makes up the majority of today’s workforce at 35 percent. Having grown up with the latest technology and instant access to information, millennials have a unique perspective and different expectations than the generations that preceded them. While it may be relatively easy to acquire employees who were born during this period of time, it can be challenging to retain them if certain standards for engagement are not met.

Read on to learn the best ways to use technology to engage millennials, reap all the benefits this complex generation has to offer, and provide them with the motivation, incentive, and value needed to remain loyal to your organization.

Promote Collaboration

Millennials tend to thrive on teamwork, and you can leverage this trait by providing employees with a number of different options that encourage various avenues of collaboration, including:

• Communication – Texting and instant messaging have replaced the traditional phone call as the preferred method of communication among millennials. Keep them engaged with feature-rich tools with a lighthearted approach to make communicating effecient and fun.
• Socialization – Social media is an integral part of daily life for most millennials, and you can replicate the same platform with options that include private messaging, news feeds and more.
• Project Management – The right software allows employees to share, manage, and track information to streamline productivity.

Embrace Mobile Technology

Millennials are rarely seen without their smartphones, and for good reason. Handheld devices allow instant access to information and applications, and facilitate communication between clients and colleagues. By implementing a BYOD (bring your own device) policy in the workplace, employees are encouraged to connect to the company network securely and remotely. In addition to the increase in productivity, this practice allows them to quickly and easily access information and play an active role in conversations any time from anywhere.

Gamify Your Environment

Games have been used as a learning tool for generations, and millennials are no exception. According to Forbes, 67 percent of those surveyed said that gaming played an important role in learning how to create winning strategies. By mirroring the gaming platform to assist with collaborative learning, you can effectively increase employee participation and engagement.

Using technology as a tool to motivate and engage millennials is a strategy that will pay off through greater employee retention and enhanced productivity.