Is it time for us all to think a bit more like the Millennials?

I'm the CEO of a global recruitment business so I discuss the happy challenges of working with the millennials or generation C as they are sometimes called now, on a daily basis.

We place this generation of superstars (and future superstars) in a new job every day.

More than that, we employ lots of them to work as recruitment specialists in our organisation. Finally, as showing my credentials goes, I'm the proud father of one. My daughter Charlie inspires me to think differently every day - more on that another time

This so-called “different” generation has stopped thinking that money should come first when looking for a new career. The new currency is interesting work, exciting and challenging projects to be involved in and a level of relative freedom to explore different ways of approaching a task.

This cash alternative also includes spending quality time with friends and family and shamelessly expecting a work life balance.

Another "new" phenomena is expecting to be involved in charitable endeavors or doing "stuff" at work that doesn't generate profit but does generate smiles for others.

Finally this controversial group of individuals wants to be trained. They expect to not be left behind as the new industrial revolution arrives. They are looking for extra curricular funding in things like Java Script and Python so that they can develop Apps, Websites etc. They expect to be sent to a coding school (watch this space by the way) or to be taught what Cyber Security is all about (I’m going to do something about that too).

Of course being paid is important but it's not THAT important. According to a KMPG study, remuneration sits around 5th in the league table of priorities for the 18 – 25 year olds.

All this new age hippy stuff gets in the way of making for a profitable organisation doesn't it (I pretend to hear you ask)

The answer is firmly and squarely no. What it does do is make some organisations stand out from the crowd by asking them/us to behave differently. To embrace making work a place where people smile a lot, where giving people a chance to be creative and contribute in areas that are "not on their job spec" is the norm and my personal favourite ; doing some good selflessly for others isn't seen as some left wing project but instead, the fabric and DNA of the company.

Who wouldn't want to work in an organisation like that and if that's millennial thinking, thank God they arrived and made us all stop in our tracks.