This article was written by Danny Beckett Jr. and appeared on entrepreneur.com.)

In the next five years, the U.S. workplace is poised to experience a changing of the guard.

The majority of Baby Boomers, now in their upper 50s, 60s, and lower 70s, will be well into retirement age. Their vacated executive positions and managerial roles will most likely be filled by up-and-coming Gen Xers and Millennials, if they haven’t already.

Currently the largest living generation in the U.S., by 2025 Millennials will account for 75 percent of the American workforce. While their habits as consumers often get maligned in the media for bringing about decline in industries and products as wide-ranging as napkins, cable TV, soda, razors, golf, mayonnaise, traditional weddings, department stores, starter homes, and “breastaurants,” what they bring to the table—rather than take off it—deserves more of the limelight.

Love them or hate them, here are major cultural shifts you can expect to see in the workplace as more Millennials take charge.

Mission-driven brands

While the jury is still out on whether Millennials are more or less brand loyal than preceding generations (some studies say they are, some say they aren’t, and some say it depends on the product category), one thing is for certain: Millennials value brands that demonstrate authenticity, and that authenticity is shown by remaining true to a cause.

This is the case for both patronage and workplace preference. Millennials want to buy from and work for businesses that have a purpose at their core. A job is no longer just about a paycheck and putting food on the family table; for Millennials, it’s very much about purpose, with 75 percent saying they want their personal values to align with their company’s values and are even willing to take a pay cut to work for a value-aligned company.

Co-authors John Izzo and Jeff Vanderweilen call it the forthcoming “Purpose Revolution.” Employees, customers and investors are increasingly looking beyond a company’s bottom line to ask how it’s making the world a better place. In the age of social good, the line between for-profit and not-for-profit becomes less rigid, and brands like TOMS, Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia and Warby Parker are all lead actors, as they put their social corporate responsibility front and center, a scorecard against which the world can judge their success. Expect Millennials to continue wearing their social causes on their sleeves as they move up the ranks and have a greater say in shaping their own company’s mission.

Empathetic leadership

Another area in which you can expect to see Millennials making change is in leadership style. Fading are the days of the corporate strongman, whose word becomes instant workplace policy, and whose authority is derived solely by title or position.

It could be the result of growing up in a postmodern era, but many Millennials are very aware, and skeptical, of power dynamics, and tend to see legitimate authority as earned rather than assumed. Consequently, Millennials respond better to leaders who inspire by example and embody the mission of the company. A big part of authentic leadership is the willingness to solicit feedback and hear out ideas, not just from one’s own C-suite peers, but from all levels of an organization.

That ability to understand and share the feelings of others is what we call empathy, and it’s a huge component of emotional intelligence. Empathy is especially important for leaders, as they need to understand what truly motivates their team in order to build a successful, thriving culture on that foundation. Moreover, empathy is especially important today, as Daniel Goleman writes in Harvard Business Review, for three main reasons:

Work is increasingly team-based

• The world is increasingly globalized, requiring coordination among diverse persons
• Success is often dependent on retaining the best talent

As they step into leadership roles, expect Millennials to perform like the kind of leaders they most respect—the charismatic, caring, and listening kind.

Flattened hierarchy

Ever noticed how suits, once a staple of corporate America (Mad Men, anyone?), are slowly losing their prominence among the office dress code?

You could blame it on Silicon Valley. Tech execs like Steve Jobs, Jack Dorsey, and Mark Zuckerberg have for years evinced a dressed-down style that’s more Tony Hawk than Tom Ford. The trend is so prevalent that Vox declared suits are now mostly reserved for “powerful men when they’re in trouble” (aka Zuckerberg at a Congressional hearing).

But the waning popularity of suits is symptomatic of something bigger than just workplace fashion trends. It’s about corporate structure. Along with open offices, corporate town halls, employee stock ownership, and rotating team leaders, casual attire is part of a larger Millennial-driven trend toward a flattened hierarchy in the workplace.

Sometimes described as a “flat organization” or a “holacracy,” a flattened hierarchy reduces bureaucracy overall and aims to eliminate the mid-management levels between executives and entry-level employees. Shrinking that gap has a number of advantages. Besides reducing unnecessary labor costs, it stresses individual responsibility and encourages each team member’s personal investment in the company; facilitates a freer flow of communication; allows for quicker, more nimble decision-making; and empowers team members to be proactive in leading and offering solutions rather than placing that burden entirely on the shoulders of the CEO.

And a flattened hierarchy is more in line with the type of leadership Millennials most resonate with—the kind that’s on their level rather than in some aloof, top-floor corner office.

At home with disruption

Born between 1981 and 1996, Millennials have grown up witnessing tremendous technological change, from the introduction of computers in the home, to dial-up internet, the dot-com boom, broadband, nearly ubiquitous Wi-Fi, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, self-driving vehicles, smartphones, smart houses, smart everything.

Nobody knows more experientially than Millennials the evidence for Moore’s Law—that computer chip-based technology seems to double every one-and-a-half to two years. Needless to say, for them, disruption has become cliché, a buzzword that’s lost its buzz.

While “digital natives” may gloss over the fact that Millennials come from diverse upbringings with unequal access to technology, the gist remains: as a generation accustomed to constant software updates and the breakneck pace of change, Millennials understand that successful businesses need to be ready to adapt or die.

Consider Apple’s goal to roll out a new iPhone every year and Facebook’s frequent overhauls. The generation that’s brought us Airbnb, Lyft, Groupon, Spotify, Tinder, Oculus RV, Stripe and nearly every social media platform imaginable will make it a key operational philosophy for the companies under their watch to remain relevant or risk fading into obscurity.

Flexible work/life

That same saturation with communication technologies that earns Millennials the label of digital natives has also taught them how hard it can be to “turn off.” When your mobile phone is your work phone and an office email can appear on your smartwatch at any time, the traditional nine-to-five schedule can take on the dreamlike aura of a bygone time in which it was once possible to keep work life enjoyably distinct from personal life.

In reaction, many Millennials have pushed back against the “always-on” expectations at their jobs and advocated for better work/life balance in their careers, which makes sense. Burnout is real, and it’s no secret that happier people are more productive employees, and more likely to stick around.

The irony is that the very technologies that make us accessible around the clock and thus the potential victim of 24/7 work demands are the same technologies that can deliver better work/life balance. For many skill-based creative professions, digital technologies allow for flexible work hours, telecommuting, location independence and a number of other benefits that boost individual control over one’s own work life.

As we reach a generational tipping point that sees more Millennials in leadership positions, expect them to introduce more workplace policies that contribute to employee happiness, particularly ones that increase self-autonomy and protect work/life balance.

(This article was written by Bianca Miller Cole and appeared on forbes.com.)

During the lock down, demand for online knowledge has surged from professionals and business owners alike, as they pursue guidance to support their business model and career pivots.

Whilst the plethora of live streams, panel discussions and webinars are valuable, it’s essential not to overlook the ‘real-life’ support of a mentor.

As the saying goes: “There is no lack of knowledge, just a shortage of asking for help.” (unknown)

There is an age old argument about which is more important “coaching” or “mentoring”, I think both are important, but I am a huge fan of mentoring in particular. Mentorship is, by definition, “a relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. The mentor may be older or younger than the person being mentored, but they must have a certain area of expertise.” And it is that expertise that helps the individual to have a better sense of clarity and purpose, with actionable steps. More importantly, it should help you to get where you are going faster and with less expensive mistakes (with reference to time and money).

With an inability to meet in person during lockdown, remote mentoring offers the flexibility of having a trusted advisor to help with tough decisions and encouragement wherever you are but forming a relationship virtually over video conferencing can be tricky.

As a mentor to over 100 mentees located across the world, I have relied on technology more than ever in recent months to stay connected. With that said, I am keen to strengthen my mentoring relationships remotely, so I turned to Selina Thompson, Digital Adoption Consultant and Founder of Forward Transformation for her insights. Selina has forged successful relationships with her international network while consulting clients on change and adoption during digital implementations. Throughout our conversation, I found Selina’s insights valuable and I believe they can also help you at any stage of your mentoring journey.

Drawing on Selina’s experience, here are her five tips to achieve successful mentoring relationships in the digital era:

Tip 1: Showcase who you are and what you do

Remember all eyes are on the internet at this time so your mentor–mentee pairings can happen anywhere online.

Create an engaging online profile to showcase what you offer and be consistent across all digital marketing channels, including social media and the ‘About Me’ page on your website. You can build an online portfolio using Flipsnack and Carbonmade they are excellent to promote your work.

Tip 2: Find your mentor online

Social media platforms open the door to thousands of mentors that would otherwise take a lifetime to find.

Professional networking platform LinkedIn has over 500 million professional members making it the most popular tool to connect with experts that match your aspirations.

Tip 3: Initiate your relationship on social media

Engage with your chosen leader online before asking them to be your mentor.

Follow social media handles to learn what matters to them and interact on public posts or direct messaging. It is important to not only engage the mentor but to have a conversation to ascertain that there is synergy and an understanding. This shows interest and lets them get to know you too. Once your mentor–mentee relationship begins, discuss your goals and align your intentions, including formal or informal arrangement, and how much time you will spend together.

Where possible get feedback from others, if they are a great mentor there is likely to be someone who will vouch for them and explain how their mentorship has helped.

Tip 4: Join a Peer-to-Peer mentoring network

Online communities hosted by industry associations and experts offer you opportunities to receive mentoring in a private forum.

Community forums are a safe space for leaders and peers to share experiences, brainstorm ideas and provide feedback. Look for areas of commonality amongst community peers on members boards to help identify mutual collaborations or where you can trade skills.

Tip 5: Optimize your mentor time using digital tools

Switching to digital practices will allow more time for valuable discussions and key takeaways.

• Allocate time to your goals in Google calendar
• Zoom, Google Meet or Teams offer the best user experiences for video conferencing on your mobile device or desktop
• Use task management apps Asana, Monday.com or Trello to organise and track actions monthly
• Don’t wait for email replies! Communicate with your mentor and peers using instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp, GoogleHangouts or WeChat
• Share and purchase book recommendations using audiobook apps. See Audible and other alternatives.
• Teams and Slack are the leaders in cloud collaboration. Instant chat, video meetings, collaborating, storing files and integration with over 200 external applications are just several highlights of streamlining your remote working experience.

In short, if you feel you need a mentor, get one. This is not only about entrepreneurs, those in a professional career can also benefit from mentoring.

In fact, mentoring has proved so beneficial that 71% of Fortune 500 companies offer mentoring programs to their employees. According to a report from Wharton individuals with a mentor “were promoted five times more often than those not in the program; and retention rates were much higher for mentees (72%) …than for employees who did not participate in the mentoring program (49%).”

Many of the great business leaders that we admire have a mentor or coach, according to the Kabbage report “92% of small business owners agree that mentors have a direct impact on the growth and survival of their business and 89% of small business owners who didn’t have a mentor wish that they did.” These statistics illustrate the need for experienced mentors in the entrepreneurial community who can deliver good advice to help a business over those shaky first years.

The stats are clear, if you want to succeed in business or your career, get the mentorship you need to thrive.

(This article was written by Serenity Gibbons and appeared on forbes.com.)

Every dollar your business spends on promoting the well-being of your customers is a dollar that will come right back to you. Eighty-six percent of buyers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience, so failing to put your customers first is equivalent to leaving money on the table.

In times like these, it can be easy to lose sight of everything but the bottom line. But ignoring the needs of your customers will do you more harm than good in the long run. Businesses hoping to ensure their success well into the future need to treat their customers right today.

Here’s how you can do so:

1. Unresearched Marketing

Your customers may know your brand, but does your brand know its customers? People want to see advertising that directly appeals to their concerns as customers, and your business needs to be able to provide that.

Knowing your customers is the first step to providing them with what they want. There are several different ways you can develop an understanding of your consumer base, but HubSpot’s guide to market research is a good place to start for the uninitiated. Learn about their demographics, interests, and desires as consumers—all of this information can help you know how best to put them first.

2. Inaccessibility

If your customers have something they need to say to you, they shouldn’t have a difficult time doing so. Many businesses, however, simply have a “contact us” form, with little more than an email that rarely gets answered. Your clientele deserves better, and new tools are being developed all the time to help you do that.

Simply put, you need to get your customers in touch with a human being as frequently as possible. Unfortunately, most businesses don’t have the digital infrastructure in place to make that feasible—enter applications like PingPilot. PingPilot can integrate SMS, live chat, and email directly onto your business’s website, landing page, or e-book, giving your customers a click-to-human experience. With storefronts closed and call centers shuttered, you need a digital bridge between you and your patrons.

3. Not Listening 

Once you’ve established a channel for your customers to reach out, you need to be sure to listen to what they have to say. For plenty of companies, customer feedback goes in one ear and out the other—an attitude almost guaranteed to lose business.

While the obvious solution is to always listen to your customers, you should also be asking the right questions. If you’re only inquiring about the information you need to know, you’re far less likely to lose track of the answer. This customer survey guide from Hotjar is a helpful template for learning how you can communicate with your clients in a way that produces valuable information.

4. Losing Sight of Your Mission

In 2020, people are drawn to companies that stand for something. The organizations that have goals and values are the ones geared for success in today’s market, so developing and maintaining a companywide mission is more important than ever before.

As economic certainty decreases, it’s tempting to ignore goals that aren’t directly related to filling your company’s coffers. But losing sight of your mission may cost you more than you know. An unguided company can hemorrhage customers like no other, so getting everyone on board with your mission now promotes your business’s well-being later on.

5. Siloing Teams

If your entire company isn’t working together, people can’t possibly be focused on the same goal of promoting the customer. You need to start integrating your business’s various work teams to ensure that all of your employees are on the same page in that respect.

One of the best ways to do so is by adopting the right collaboration software. Work management solution WorkFront reports that 94 percent of companies find that collaboration is critical to their overall success and using project management software is a good way to kick that off. Especially as levels of remote work hit new highs, businesses need to find ways to let technology help them cultivate teamwork.

6. Lacking Transparency

The 2019 Edelman Trust Survey uncovered a number of interesting facts, perhaps the most consequential of which is that more than 80 percent must trust a brand before purchasing its products. You need your customers to trust you, and transparency is the only way to guarantee that.

Regularly release statements regarding the current state of your business and what’s coming next. Respond to every moment of crisis or uncertainty with candor and openness—being honest with your customer base is the only way to develop a lasting sense of trust.

It’s simple: Value your customer, and she’ll value you in return. Business is all about relationships and developing positive ones with your clients is a crucial component of success that’s far too often ignored.