Forum for Innovation

Every generation gets to write a page or two in the history books. For the people born from 1980 to 1999, those pages will undoubtedly be digital. Called Generation Y or Millennials, this generation is wired unlike any of its predecessors. Millennials have an almost innate mastery of technologies and how to use them in business, education, and everyday life.  

Technology is only one part of what makes this generation what it is. The unique personalities, values, and collaborative nature of Millennials also make them different in how they engage the world. These changes impact many different aspects of our lives, but in terms of commerce, the rules of the road are being changed. 

That’s why the National Chamber Foundation (NCF) decided to take a closer look at Millennials and how they are impacting business in our new report, The Millennial Generation Research Review. Much research already exists about this generation. Assembling this research into a concise format was a tool NCF aimed to share with others. NCF’s commitment to exploring emerging issues and examining “what’s next” is a mission that it believes in. When you see that mission personified and driven by Millennials as described in this research review, it is easy to declare that “the future is now.” 

Thanks to the work of Sally Seppanen, the author of this work, NCF is providing this research to help business leaders of all generations better understand the force, talent, and promise that Millennials bring to the workplace, marketplace, C-suite, and beyond. The report also delivers perspective on the “generational mindset” that can be critical when building relationships, partnerships, a client base and a productive team.  

If you look closely, you will find members of this generation in every one of these locations, changing the way we do business. Casual observers of these changes may disregard their impact, but it would be a mistake to write off Millennials or expect their absolute conformity with the way things have been done in the past.  

As this research review shows, Millennials will challenge us with new means, metrics, markets, and possibilities. Speed and change will be the primary drivers going forward. NCF’s advice is fairly straightforward: Buckle up and be ready… it’s going to be an amazing ride.