Are You Ready for Gen Z?

Are You Ready for Gen Z?

Joel Simons | 2020

Abstract

Are You Ready for Gen Z? is a three-part seminar series designed to prepare modern organizations for the needs and nuances of their future employees. This seminar considers Generation Z as the disruptive generation through their integration of technology into all aspects of life and learning. Generation Z is coming to each organization over the next twenty years, so firms must adapt their strategies for employee recruitment, development, and communication.

Part 1 focuses on setting the stage for a multi-generational workforce. Generation Z is highly educated, achievement oriented, and concerned with social justice. They prefer virtual communication and desire a job that is interesting and engaging, but demand convenience and struggle with basic soft skills. Organizations must learn to trim the waste in their communication through visuals, technology, and hands-on learning to improve accessibility of content. Part 2 focuses on the development of Generation Z, who desire a culture of safety, fear making mistakes, and feel unprepared for their career despite extensive education. Generation Z is motivated by honesty, reliability, and commitment from their peers and supervisors. However, Generation Z desires recognition for their work and believes respect is earned rather than given based on an authority position. Part 3 pivots to transitioning your organizational communication strategy to one that Generation Z natively understands. Although Generation Z is a disruptor to communication, their tendencies provide organizations with an opportunity to modernize and streamline their communication strategies. In fact, changing the way you communicate allows leaders to convey large amounts of information in small windows of time and space.