Being on social media is part of millennials' job scope

After all, every member of the 47-person team is encouraged to be on social media to better understand the Love, Bonito customer.

 

Love, Bonito's open-plan office, which boasts a 4,000 sq ft warehouse, in-house photo studio and large pantry, was created with the millennial worker in mind.

 

Tables are shared, with no cubicle divisions. In a corner sits a table overflowing with snacks. Propped against a wall is a corkboard titled #LBempowers, covered in colourful post-its highlighting the goals and desires of team members, including wanting to learn Muay Thai and throwing a durian party.

 

This plugged-in and lively work culture has been 10 years in the making for the founders Viola Tan, 32, and Rachel Lim, 29. The third co-founder Velda Tan is no longer involved in the daily operations of the business.

 

What started as a blogshop called BonitoChico, when Viola Tan was a teacher and Lim a student, has morphed into a multi-million- dollar e-commerce business that employs a team of passionate millennials.

 

The founders say they choose to hire people close to their age because that is the demographic of its customers. Moreover, a business that mainly markets and sells its products online requires tech- savvy workers, who tend to be young.

 

Because everyone in the office is close in age, the hierarchy is flattened and the atmosphere casual and relaxed.

 

But that does not mean the bosses will not step in when employees cross the line. Two people have been fired. The first was caught stealing merchandise while the other was found constantly gossiping and spreading malicious rumours among the team.

 

Lim says: "We believe in giving second chances, but as leaders, it is also important to set a strong example. We have a trust- based work environment that we are very protective of and it was important that we let it be known that detrimental and toxic behaviour would not be tolerated."

 

Both of them are daughters of taxi drivers and had no background in business. Their journey has been one of trial and error, but experience has made them better at managing teams and people their own age.

 

Lim, who is engaged, says: "While one person might be motivated by a pat on the back, another may respond better to a handwritten card. When working with millennials, I've realised that you can't rely on a one-size-fits-all management style."

 

Tan, who is single and a self- confessed introvert, adds that millennials also enjoy interacting with their bosses because they expect their superiors to be invested in their development.

 

"That has forced me to open up and interact more with my team," she says, "especially when these interactions are ultimately what helps them feel valued and motivated at work."