THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF EMPLOYING YOUTH

The current business landscape is characterized by shorter product life cycles and rapid technological change; it requires businesses to constantly innovate in order to stay competitive. Companies report that youth employees bring new approaches to problem solving, which, in turn, leads to greater creativity and innovation. Having young adults in the company changes the company.

Companies report that young workers infuse their companies with energy, creativity, and fresh insights particularly around emerging customer segments. Young adult workers have grown up in a technology enabled environment and as a result, understand technology as they would a native language. Senior employees bring experience and strategic skills while youth bring tactical skills and technological tools that help companies keep its finger on the pulse of current trends and issues.

To reap the rewards of new ideas, a company needs to create a culture that listens to and compensates new approaches, which can be a challenge for firms that cling to the status quo. Yet, the urgency of such an approach is real. If the organization is not open to new ideas including the ideas of Millennials it will not be able to retain the talent and compete effectively in a global marketplace.

By Colletor Adoyo