How young professionals push a company into the future

As Generation Z enters the workforce, many companies are asking similar questions: how can this new generation help push our business into the future? What will that future look like?

For many companies, letting Generation Z’s young professionals into their business doesn’t seem like a good idea, presumably because of the overconsumption of social media and technology that the current generation grew up around. However, by integrating young professionals, other companies are beginning to see the benefits. The use of technology to help in not only marketing their products but also in strategic planning meetings regarding how a certain product should be advertised.

Generation Z’s access to social media platforms and technology, and Generation Z being more open to creative endeavors and supporting causes that they view important, has created a prime chance for companies to bring young professionals into their workplace. Yes, there might be some tension between the older and younger generations and their work styles, but Generation Z will be the ones to eventually take over; the ones that will see the future of many beginning and already established companies.

But the question remains: How can young professionals help push companies into the future?

1). Creating an atmosphere for open discussion.

Zoey Chu, a Product and Customer Marketing Intern for Dynamic Services argued that “… organizations will have to change to meet the expectations of Gen Z. They must launch initiatives that reinforce the company mission, employees’ roles in achieving goals, and allowing people an opportunity to have their voices heard.” Giving Generation Z a space or atmosphere where they can discuss trends within the company or unique ways to help a company reach their long-term goals, could prove beneficial to a company’s workplace environment. It would also allow Generation Z the ability to begin developing interpersonal relationships and people skills that would prove useful to them later on in their careers.

Zoey Chu posits a question for employers when thinking about Generation Z: “Is your company thinking beyond traditional employee benefits? Are you fostering a culture that considers the whole person, and not just on what someone can accomplish eight hours a day?” Chu goes on to note that if employers want young professionals to stay within their company, they have to create an environment that produces a healthy lifestyle; one that allows Generation Z’s young professionals to speak their mind about perhaps the way a certain project is undertaken without the possibility of being shot down or dismissed.

Additionally, the creation of an atmosphere of open discussion benefits not only young professionals but also the company as a whole. Young professionals that are able to posit ideas to a small group or board could drastically shift how a company manufactures and distributes their products. By positing ideas to a small group though, young professionals are able to receive feedback about such ideas, modify them to better suit the direction the company wants to take, or make it better and put it into their “to-do” list.

Companies, on the other hand, through seeing these discussions taking place, can help foster interpersonal relationships with young professionals and help them to develop communication and people skills alongside the other skills Gen-Z would be cultivating.

2). Using technology to increase visibility amongst competition.

Due to Generation Z growing up surrounded by the most advanced technology and access to social media, they have grown up seeing information about how a company markets their products and fights the competition. However, that same environment of relentless technology and access to social media can be a detriment if not focused correctly.

With COVID-19, many young professionals are using their technological skills and social media to create online businesses and generate profit despite being quarantined. It’s also these technological skills and access to social media that may prompt some companies to bring young professionals into their workplace.

Given the opportunity to work with a small group or collaborate with other young professionals, Generation Z can not only think outside the box in terms of how to market a product but also how to make sure that said product reaches its intended audience.

An article titled “Understanding Generation Z in the workplace: New employee engagement tactics for changing demographics”, argues that “To attract Gen Z, employers must be ready to adopt a speed of evolution that matches the external environment. That means developing robust training and leadership programs, with a real and tangible focus on diversity.” With many young professionals comes diverse experiences, and as such, companies want to be able to cater to their specific experiences (i.e. health care, education, real estate, etc…)

An article by Western Governors University agrees with the above statement in its article titled “Who is Gen Z and how will they impact the workplace?” The article noted that “Companies and management will want to demonstrate a healthy embrace for new technology to their Gen Z’ers. This includes making accommodations for employees to work from home and other locations rather than trapped in a cubicle for 40+ hours weekly.” The COVID-19 pandemic for instance, has caused many companies to shift to a virtual platform, not only heightening the need for companies to accommodate their employees but also be understanding due to the level of stress the pandemic has had on its employees

Unlike previous generations, Generation Z isn’t one to sit behind a desk and work for hours on end not knowing exactly what it is that they are trying to achieve. Generation Z looks for opportunities to sharpen their skills. Their ability to use social media to help companies not only increase visibility for their target audience but also make sure new customers come to their company is a gain that any company should seize upon.

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