The opportunity as Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) is to assemble multiple generations under one organizational “roof.” Generation Z brings differences, as well as similarities, to the workplace. If the saying “behavioral traits skip a generation” is true, what is a CHRO perspective for success?
Sam Palazzolo, Principal Officer @ The Javelin Institute
They say no to drugs also therefore are making adolescent pregnancy a peculiar anomaly. They’re as grounded since the Silent Generation and also therefore are motivated by safety. You cannot blame themthey were babies or kids when 9/11 hit the Earth, their growing decades observed the U.S. in a constant state of warfare. And to top it all they watched their parents struggling with tasks or even worse, losing jobs as 2008 recession created its humbling entry. Nevertheless, you get that we are talking about hardships and hard to disagreeable times during its base.
As the beginning of the Generation known as “Gen Z” turns 22 and the whole population makes up 32% of the 7.7 billion people the world over, the millennial values of collaboration and idealism are being forced to take a rear seat. With 77% hoping to work harder than the generations that came before them, 88% feel confident in their future. Gen Z sure has a diligent and sure foot within their professions according to CHROs.
Gen Z Saves Money and is Resourceful
They would like to get more and they want to save more too. The typical Gen Z browses without purchasing, they utilize coupons and wait until discount can be obtained. So, there aren’t a lot of impulse buying habits on display to a marketer’s despair. Much like their great grandparents, they are resourceful with more than 22% of 13-21 year olds earning money online and 76% saying they wish their hobbies can earn some money. Resourceful and pennywise, are they not a sight for the sore eyes of a CHRO?
Company Today… Entrepreneur Tomorrow
The opposite side of the coin of being resourceful and independent may soon come to play itself out for most companies though. Members of Gen Z aspire to be entrepreneurs over other generations. 61% of college students today say they need to be entrepreneurs instead of working under a company banner. So how can a CHRO capitalize on the entrepreneurial nature of Generation Z members (or can they?)
Social Networking – The New Frontier?
Since the Generation Z goes from a few to many in the work force, the previous days of the millennials (yes, they are old news now) might have to take a back seat. If you believed millennials were multitaskers, then meet the Generation Z, who toggle between programs and five displays at a much faster rate than the previous cohort. Generation Z grew up with five screens at their own disposal. They are hopelessly hooked to their screens and societal media completes them. For them, their explanation for not drinking is that they have a much better friend in social media (So why drink?)
Generation Z – How Can a CHRO Please Them?
They may be individualistic and yes, Generation X and Boomers may believe that they are narcissists using a strange screen dependence, however, the image is not complete. This cohort likes to remain near their family members and won’t want to maneuver across the continent to get a promising job (Regardless of what a CHRO concocts in the form of a compensation package). This trait suits their desire to be their own beings. We are seeing an influx of Gen Z members who play solo for the sake of an extreme sense of competition (or for solo’s sake!) Perhaps the factor that CHROs recognize that sets them apart from more grounded previous generations is their 8-second filter (and a compulsive desire to innovate and toggle).
SUMMARY
It was only yesterday (or even this morning) when as CHRO you smiled and figured out the millennial equation in the workplace. Now, you’re forced to draft a whole new plan for Generation Z. The silver lining is that you can always refer to previous generation mantras to architect your Gen Z strategy and be ready to go.