The world changes fast, and people often ask how I stay on top of millennial workplace trends. The short answer is I that read and talk to people. A lot.
While I try to take a really broad approach to my subject area, I definitely have some go-to sources that I rely on regularly. If you’re interested in keeping your finger on the pulse of the next generation of employees and leaders, check out these top picks:
YPulse
Who it’s for:
Everyone
What it is:
Want the scoop on millennials’ life goals or how they plan to spend Halloween? This is truly a one-stop source for strategic insight, trends and data that covers entertainment, technology, the workplace and much more. YPulse augments its cross-functional team of marketers, researchers and technologists by going straight to the source with a community of 2 million millennials who participate in online research panels and mobile social Q&A surveys.
What they offer:
Their free daily newsletter includes a “teaser” to the article of the day, then an insightful curated list of links to millennial-related stories. Visit the website for free access to their searchable library. Monthly subscriptions offer access to a more robust suite of resources, including articles and quarterly trend reports.
Cassandra Daily
Who it’s for:
Everyone
What it is:
Formerly known as Trendcentral, Cassandra Daily focuses on what’s new and next in the broad categories of lifestyle (ice cream rolls are the new cronut), fashion (mood rings are back) and technology (there’s an app for, well, everything). One of my favorite features is the First Friday interview with a trendsetting “fitness, health and happiness leader.”
What they offer:
The website is super searchable and their free daily newsletter is a quick read. Each quarter they offer a Cassandra Report for purchase that takes a theme (Spring/Summer was Body/Mind/Soul) and blends trends, data, marketing implications and examples of best practices.
Engage: Millennials
Who it’s for:
Marketing and media professionals
What it is:
This is just one excellent newsletter from MediaPost’s collection targeted to marketing, advertising and media types. From how to market with millennials in mind to the hottest music and app downloads, there is so much great info on this website that it’s easy to get sucked down the rabbit hole. But you’ll be smarter for it.
What they offer:
MediaPost’s daily and weekly newsletters cover mobile marketing, traditional media, online media and various demographics, including of course, millennials.
Universum
Who it’s for:
Talent and recruitment professionals
What it is:
Every company grapples with the issue of attracting – and then retaining – top talent. Universum helps companies stand out with branding that brings talent to them through analytics and communication strategies.
What they offer:
A free daily newsletter tracks the latest on talent management, employer branding and recruitment solutions; a free monthly newsletter provides Universum’s take on the employer branding industry, best practices, talent market research and events.
Pew Research Center
Who it’s for:
Anyone who needs stats and research
What it is:
Data central. Want to know what’s what – definitively? This fact tank has your data on issues, attitudes and trends garnered through public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. They are the source of my most often quoted millennial stat: Millennials have surpassed Gen X and boomers as the largest generation in the U.S. workforce.
What they offer:
Pew offers a variety of free newsletters that cover categories such as technology, media, demographic trends and much more. For a more streamlined inbox, consider the weekly summary newsletter that provides a roundup of all new Pew Research Center content.
Bonus: Millennials!
The real secret to staying up to date on millennials? Talk to them. Any chance you get. It’s also key to stay current on news and pop culture. If you’re into sports or business news, that’s great. Both keep you current with timely topics of conversation. But don’t stick only with what interests you. Know what the current songs or movies are. Check out what’s trending on Twitter. Make note of the funny subway advertising or fashion trends. Maintain a sense of curiosity about the world around you and you’ll always be in the know.
I am always looking for new resources! Is there one you love? Please share in the comments.
Lindsey Pollak is the leading voice on millennials in the workplace, trusted by global companies, universities, and the world’s top media outlets…and, most importantly, by millennials themselves. A New York Times bestselling author, Lindsey began her career as a dorm RA in college and has been mentoring millennials — and explaining them to other generations — ever since. Her keynote speeches have audiences so engaged that, in the words of one attendee, “I didn’t check my phone once!” Contact Lindsey to discuss a speaking engagement for your organization.
