From Technology to Food, Top Millennial Brands in the Workplace

Some brands just speak to millennials more than others do. For instance, Periscope and Vine are brands more targeted to millennials than to other generations. Social media aside, there are many other brands that appeal to millennials, some of those brands even enhancing the workplace. I’ve gone through Business Insider’s list of Top 100 Brands for Millennials and picked the top millennial brands to cover you in all aspects of the workplace.

Technology
In today’s day and age, you can’t walk into an office without seeing many different forms of technology. These are just some of the brands that stick out to millennials:

Apple
One may say that Apple has a “cult following” filled with millennials, and it’s for a reason. Apple is constantly enhancing its technology, and tailoring it to our generation. Additionally, iPads are becoming more and more common in the workplace as they’re easily portable.

Microsoft
Of course, Microsoft is still a go-to in the workplace. Who doesn’t use Microsoft Word, Excel or Powerpoint while sitting in the cubicle? Furthermore, Microsoft does a great job of using LinkedIn to communicate with its consumers.

Dell
My work desktop is a Dell, and I’m sure many of your reading this use a Dell also. Many millennials are using Dells in the workplace and for personal use. How is Dell standing out to millennials? By having YouTube celebrities chronicle their road trips using Dell’s Venue 8 Tablet, Dell stepped up and became a top millennial brand.

Clothing
Dressing appropriately for work is a big deal. However, thanks to these great millennial brands, our clothing no longer has to be dull.

Calvin Klein
Approximately 75% of my work wardrobe is from Calvin Klein. Not only does this brand offer great work-appropriate clothing for both men and women, but it also understands the importance of social sharing, proven by its extremely well-known #MyCalvins campaign.

Banana Republic
Despite some recent fashion missteps, Banana Republic is reaching millennials in two ways close to our hearts – through social media and through giving. Banana Republic has partnered with the Instagram account #HotDudesReading in order to advocate for First Book, a children’s literacy program.

Express
With its Wear To Work section, Express is another great choice for work-appropriate clothing. Express uses social media to target millennials in a new way – by rewarding them. Simply retweeting Express or signing up for text message alerts from the company can earn you Express reward points.

Lunch Break
According to NPR, only one in five people leaves her desk for a midday break. This can be harmful to creative ability; breaks are important! These millennial food brands serve as great lunch choices:

Chipotle
Yet another brand with a millennial cult following, Chipotle also appeals to millennials by its “do good” campaign; both from eliminating GMOs and sustainable ingredients, and its haiku contest letting customers write love haikus to their burritos in order to win a prize.

Taco Bell
In addition to having the best Super Bowl commercials, Taco Bell is yet another millennial brand – I should know I have a Taco Bell addiction. Using social media, they started #breakfastdefects as a great way of promoting their new breakfast menu.

Websites
Is it even possible anymore to work without websites? However, to my surprise, there was only one social media platform on the list, and it was…

Facebook
Zuckerberg recently announced that he’s giving away 99% of his Facebook shares to charity. Yet another example how millennials want to change the world! If you work in social media, Facebook is still one of your best friends. Even if you don’t work in social media, I guarantee your office has a Facebook page. What’s better than free publicity? Oh, and don’t forget, Facebook is key for social sharing as well.

Google
When I was an intern, I Googled everything, and that’s how I taught myself simple things such as how to mail merge. Additionally, what’s a workday without the ability to gchat your friends? Google is a key millennial brand as it keeps coming up with new ways to give millennials everything at the touch of our fingertips. 

Regardless of the industry, there are two common trends: these brands are considered millennial brands because of their use of social media, and their corporate social responsibility. They know how to reach the millennial generation, and they target us through social sharing and doing good. These brands make life in the workplace, and life in general, easier for us. If you have the availability, take advantage of these brands to enhance your work life. Not only are they great, durable products, but they want millennials as their clients, and will keep tailoring their products to our generation.