Lindsey Pollak is a New York Times bestselling author and self-described “millennial expert.” She’s part of the growing number of consultants hired by corporations like Oracle, Red Robin and Time Warner to better understand millennials, or those aged between 18 and 34.
Consultants like Pollack get paid up to $20,000 an hour for their services. Pollack, 41, who currently advises Estée Lauder and Linkedin, told the Wall Street Journal:
“There is somewhat of a disconnect between young people, their hopes, goals and expectations, and what companies think young people wan. I see my role as a translator.”
Lisa McLeod, 52, a consultant who has spoken at Google and other companies on dealing with young workers, typically charges up to $25,000 for a keynote. Her fee goes up to $30,000 if she’s booked with her millennial-aged daughter Elizabeth, 23. The younger Mcleod told the Wall Street Journal:
“All my friends have been wowed by foosball tables and all these benefits” some startups offer, the younger Ms. McLeod said, “but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty and everyone hates their job, no one cares about foosball tables.”
Corporations hope that by hiring these consultants, they’ll make young employees happier, decrease turnover rates, and develop more effective marketing toward millennials.
