The next generation of enterprise employees are on their way and they’re going to change the face of global business- as each generation before them has, to some degree. But they are especially going to change your company’s use of technology. That’s because Generation Y, those born from the early 1980’s to the mid 1990’s, are the first Digital Generation; they can’t remember a time when there wasn’t a personal computer within reach, have had a cell phone in one hand since eighth grade or before and—here’s a punch—think PCs, email and 9-5 are sooo last century. They are very communications, media and digital savvy. Here are some issues to contemplate as Generation Y comes knocking on your door.

ERP System

Is Your ERP System Ready for Generation Y?

Working from home is the new paradigm. There are several aspects to this paradigm. One comes down to being synchronous vs. asynchronous—and Gen Y knows technology affords them the ability to be the latter. They will give you 40+ good hours a week, but not always M-F or 9-5. Working from anywhere is also a matter of trust for Gen Y, and mutual respect. Plus, it boosts morale and reduces workplace costs.

Old technology needs a new interface. From CRM to ERP, enterprise tools that can’t be accessed through a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, are going to be of little interest to Generation Y. Why would you want to tethered to your desktop when you and your colleagues can be gathered around a table in the cafeteria or connected digitally from anywhere in the world? Similarly, it’s important to Gen Y that the company they work for stays at the forefront of technology. They expect to follow you on Twitter and Facebook, be equipped with 4G smartphones, and have tools to collaborate with colleagues spanning 24 time zones.

Money isn’t everything: respect is.
Generation Y couldn’t be more different from the Baby Boomers running companies today when it comes to cash. Greed, they’ve concluded, is definitely not cool. Hierarchy doesn’t get any better grades. They expect to be treated as an equal, as a human being if not yet as a corporate soldier. And they want to be heard; they are communication junkies, remember. That doesn’t mean the boss isn’t the boss. It’s more about respecting ideas and contributions and interactions than how many years you’ve been at the company.

Invest in social media, and leave social media to the experts.
The Generation Y knows social media best. In fact, it has become an inseparable part of their DNA. They live and breathe social media, social networking and social interaction. Instantly connecting with and communicating to the masses of like-minded thinkers is how Gen Y-ers establish their place in the Universe.

Now, if you’ve clucked your tongue or shaken your head more than five times reading this article, there’s a bit of demographic reality you need to buy into. Gen Y isn’t only your next wave of employees, and some even eventually comprising your C-level management. Gen Y-ers are also your eventual customers, competitors, suppliers, not to mention the lawmakers that create the regulations your company must comply with.

Yes, the times are still a’changing.