Millennials, the generation born roughly between 1981 and 1996, now make up a significant portion of the workforce. As dealerships face increasing competition for skilled employees, understanding how to engage and retain this generation is crucial for long-term success. Here’s how to create an onboarding experience that resonates with millennials and sets them up for a fulfilling career in your dealership.
Understand their mindset
Digital natives: Millennials are the first generation to grow up immersed in technology. Incorporate digital platforms, e-learning modules, and online communication tools into your onboarding process. Consider apps like Slack or Microsoft Teams for instant messaging and knowledge sharing.
The importance of “why”: Beyond the job tasks, millennials want to know how their role contributes to the bigger picture. Emphasise your dealership’s mission, values, and impact on the community.
Feedback loop: This generation thrives on regular feedback. Schedule frequent check-ins with new hires to provide guidance, celebrate early wins, and address concerns.
Agility and growth: Millennials value opportunities for growth and career development. Outline clear paths for advancement and support their participation in training programmes.
Tailor your onboarding
Personalise the welcome: Move beyond standard welcome packs. Gather a few insights about their interests and include a small, relevant welcome gift. This shows you value them as individuals.
Mentorship matters: Pair new hires with experienced mentors. Millennials benefit from guidance, and it creates a sense of community within the dealership.
Bite-sized learning: Break down training into shorter, focused modules. Mix up formats with videos, interactive quizzes, and hands-on demonstrations to maintain engagement.
Early wins: Assign projects that offer a chance for early success. This builds confidence and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
Create a culture of connection
Embrace collaboration: Millennials appreciate teamwork and collaborative environments. Encourage team-building activities and cross-departmental projects.
Celebrate together: Host regular social events, both formal and informal, to foster a sense of belonging and connection within the dealership.
Recognition and reward: Publicly recognise achievements, both large and small. Millennials appreciate positive reinforcement, and it boosts their morale.
Flexibility when possible: Offer flexible work arrangements where feasible. This demonstrates trust and shows a commitment to work-life balance, something important to this generation.
Key takeaways
Onboarding millennials doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Strategic adjustments, a focus on personalised experiences, and a continuous feedback loop will make a significant difference. Invest in onboarding that resonates with this generation, and you’ll reap the benefits of a motivated, engaged, and loyal workforce.
Remember: onboarding doesn’t end after the first week – it’s an ongoing process. By investing time and effort in supporting and developing millennial employees, you create a win-win situation for both your dealership and its newest talent.
Teamrecruit is Australia’s most established recruitment agency specialising in truck, earthmoving and agricultural machinery dealerships in Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. Find out more about Teamrecruit and how we support employers and candidates in the dealership industry.
