GlobeSt.com: What are some of the facts about Millennials that you feel are not being brought to light?

Donnelly: There are several:

• 69% believe office attendance is unnecessary on a regular basis.
• 46% want to start a business within the next five years.
• 75% would rather lose the ability to call versus text.
• 35% of employed Millennials have started their own side business.
• 45% will choose workplace flexibility over pay.
• 92% believe business success should be measured by more than profit.
• 71% believe America's energy policy should focus on alternative sources of energy.

Millennials also have certain workplace preferences, including open floor plans to promote collaboration, shared workstations versus private high-walled cubicles and offices, exposed “breakout areas” versus traditional conference rooms, contemporary/active design and workspace options like quiet areas, walking workstations and standing desks.

GlobeSt.com: How does all this relate to commercial real estate?

Donnelly: Like it or not, Millennials are becoming more prevalent in the business world. As the number of Millennials in the workplace continues to grow, the demands in commercial real estate will increasingly reflect Millennials' desires and preferences. Agents who can recognize, understand and adapt to the demands and behaviors of this ever-increasing workplace demographic may find themselves in a favorable position. Who knows: a relationship derived from a Millennial tech start-up looking for 500 square feet of energy-efficient creative office today could grow into a 50,000-square-foot expansion requirement in the future.

CARLSBAD, CA—It's not only what they bring to the table now, but where relationships with Millennials can lead as they mature and their start-ups expand into larger companies, Lee & Associates broker TJ Donnelly tells GlobeSt.com. We spoke with Donnelly about some of the stereotypes about Millennials in the workplace today, what the facts are and how this ties into commercial real estate. (Note: Donnelly refers to several of the following sources for his answers: http://www.halogensoftware.com/blog/generation-y-understanding-the-work-habits-of-millennials, http://www.business2community.com/human-resources/6-millennial-motivators-a-guide-to-what-motivates-millennials-at-work-01232067#pWs5O4YB74wy0TXB.97, http://www.newgeography.com/content/003455-how-green-are-millennials, http://www.buildings.com/buzz/buildings-buzz/entryid/339/how-to-design-a-millennial-friendly-office, http://www.architectmagazine.com/design/urbanism-planning/study-millennials-impact-on-workplace-design-and-urban-planning_o, http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/print-edition/2015/04/10/interior-office-design-in-the-millennial-age.html.)

GlobeSt.com: How are Millennials currently viewed by business owners?

Donnelly: The word “Millennial” is a term that often makes those from different generations cringe. Many label Millennials with negative connotations such as lazy and entitled. Some think of Millennials in a more positive manner and consider them to be innovative and technologically savvy. Regardless, as a professional, it is important to better understand Millennials because of their growing presence in the workplace. In order to grasp the mindset of a working Millennial, one must look beyond the stereotypes and conduct a deeper examination of this generation's background, facts and work space preferences.

Though the actual time frame that constitutes a Millennial is debated, the general consensus is that anyone born in the '80's and '90s is considered a Millennial. The people of this generation are a product of a changing world characterized by both extremely progressive social changes and significant technological improvements, terrorist attacks, outsourcing and a major financial meltdown. According to the US Census Bureau, the Millennial generation has surpassed the population of the Baby Boomer generation. Millennials are now the largest generation in the US population and have been estimated to be the largest generation in the workplace since the end of 2015. It is expected that by the mid-2020s, 75% of the workplace will be made up of Millennials.

GlobeSt.com: What are some of the facts about Millennials that you feel are not being brought to light?

Donnelly: There are several:

• 69% believe office attendance is unnecessary on a regular basis.
• 46% want to start a business within the next five years.
• 75% would rather lose the ability to call versus text.
• 35% of employed Millennials have started their own side business.
• 45% will choose workplace flexibility over pay.
• 92% believe business success should be measured by more than profit.
• 71% believe America's energy policy should focus on alternative sources of energy.

Millennials also have certain workplace preferences, including open floor plans to promote collaboration, shared workstations versus private high-walled cubicles and offices, exposed “breakout areas” versus traditional conference rooms, contemporary/active design and workspace options like quiet areas, walking workstations and standing desks.

GlobeSt.com: How does all this relate to commercial real estate?

Donnelly: Like it or not, Millennials are becoming more prevalent in the business world. As the number of Millennials in the workplace continues to grow, the demands in commercial real estate will increasingly reflect Millennials' desires and preferences. Agents who can recognize, understand and adapt to the demands and behaviors of this ever-increasing workplace demographic may find themselves in a favorable position. Who knows: a relationship derived from a Millennial tech start-up looking for 500 square feet of energy-efficient creative office today could grow into a 50,000-square-foot expansion requirement in the future.