By 2025, millennials and Gen Z are expected to make up the majority of the workforce. Because millennials were born between the early 1980s and mid-1990s, and Gen Z members were born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, these generations have many similarities and differences in their work styles, values, and beliefs. In your role as sales manager, knowing some of these characteristics can help you provide a productive work environment for your team.
Here are four ways millennials and Gen Z work toward success in their sales career and how you can help them.
1. Make Long-Term Plans
Millennials want to know that their work is both impacting the company and leading to bigger career opportunities. As a result, you should regularly talk with each team member about how sales of company products benefit your customers and what each member’s long-term career plans are. Be sure to include how each step up within your organization helps both the company and the employee’s career goals. Seeing a career development path increases the likelihood that your team members will remain loyal to your company longer than without a plan.
2. Maintain Flexibility
Gen Z members value flexibility in getting their work done. They also enjoy working independently and having control over their environment. So, let your team set their own schedule and work remotely as much as possible. They’ll be more inclined to hit their sales targets when you provide autonomy.
3. Implement Feedback
Millennials appreciate receiving as much feedback as possible. To help them out, actively provide informal feedback at various times throughout the day and formal feedback during a weekly 1:1. Be sure to include both praises for specific actions or results and concrete suggestions for improvement. Also, maintain an open-door policy so that team members can come to you with questions or concerns about their sales performance, targets, or goals.
4. Focus on Learning and Development
Gen Z members understand the value of adding to their knowledge and skill set. For this reason, you need to provide the tools and training necessary to advance in their sales career. For instance, let your team members choose among conferences, books, or online sales courses that interest them. If there are specific skills you would like them to enhance, suggest online workshops to participate in. Also, share sales articles, podcasts, and other sources of information you come across that may be of interest to your team.
Are You Looking to Build Your Sales Team?
If your industrial safety or PPE manufacturing company is looking for top-tier sales talent, talk to The Charis Group. As the premier recruiters in the industry, we help sales leaders build effective, lasting teams. Contact us today to learn more.