As your business evolves, there’s no doubt you’ve watched the market shift with a fresh slate of client needs to satisfy. But that’s not all that has changed! The workforce has also followed suit as the earliest Gen Zers enter their 20s and influence how companies operate. But what does that mean for business owners?
Besides learning new TikTok dances, observing Gen Z can reveal a glimpse at the future and inspire fresh change for companies to transition fully into the digital age. After all, who better understands future Gen Z clients than their contemporaries?
But appealing to Gen Z talent requires up-to-date systems and operations that facilitate productivity and growth. In other words, you need tech to keep younger workers content. From remote collaboration to continuing education, here are a few ways to enhance your digital environment to attract, engage, and retain a reliable Gen Z team.
Embrace a holistic approach to technology
Gen Zers were born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, so they’ve grown up alongside the tech boom. Younger Gen Z, in particular, has no memories of dial-up or landline phones; instead, they are accustomed to using smartphones and having a world of information at their fingertips. So as they enter the workforce, they will seek out jobs that not only match their tech savviness but appreciate it.
Developing a cohesive tech stack shows your team you care about keeping up with the times while providing enhanced efficiency and project management. Consider updating these areas of your business with tech if you haven’t already done so:
- Collaborative Tools: Project management software keeps everyone organized with assigned tasks and due dates. At the same time, cloud-based storage simplifies file sharing and ensures everyone has access to the resources they need.
- Communication Platform: It’s also worth investing in a communication platform like Slack, Voxer, or Google Hangouts. Many offer free plans, providing a cost-effective way for your team to stay in touch, especially if you have a remote or hybrid workplace.
- Automation Software: Automation and artificial intelligence aren’t scaring Gen Z; younger workers are finding ways to use automation and AI to increase productivity. For example, instead of manually following up on invoices, using an invoice management system allows your team to reallocate their time to higher-level tasks.
Establish a strong onboarding program
Nobody likes being behind the curve. Gen Zers don’t need their hands held, but they do expect guidance when starting a new role. So if you plan to grow your team, you must welcome new hires with a comprehensive onboarding process. And while there are many in-person ways to do so, like job shadowing and on-the-ground training, it’s wise to pair such techniques with virtual tools to support independent learning.
One way to leverage tech in your onboarding process is by developing a digital version of a company handbook. This document can outline employee expectations, standard operating procedures (SOPs), risk management plans, important logins, and other vital details. You can even record video walkthroughs of key processes to provide visual examples. And since it lives online, you can ensure it’s always updated with the latest information.
Provide opportunities for growth
Gen Zers want to feel supported and are quick to make an exit plan when their role becomes stagnant. Consider providing them with professional development tools like relevant online courses, virtual training, and certifications. Platforms like Udemy, LinkedIn, and Coursera offer a variety of educational resources to teach your team anything from sales skills to design fundamentals.
Continuing education boosts team morale and helps your team deliver better results for your company while providing workers with lifelong skills to take with them. Don’t think of it as training employees for their next job; instead, you are investing in talent and supporting young professionals as they start their careers. Give, and you shall receive!
When you harness the power of technology to grow your Gen Z team, you’ll see increased engagement and motivation across the board. And your clients will benefit when your employees have better tools for collaboration, so you’ll also enjoy higher retention rates and improved business performance.
If you’re considering hiring soon, take time to enhance your company’s digital environment and create a competitive advantage in the modern workforce. Your future Gen Z employees will thank you!
Nora Sheils is the founder of award-winning planning firm Bridal Bliss and co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, a client management platform that offers a streamlined approach to contract, invoicing, and payment processing for the wedding and event industry. Nora is a well-known and sought-after speaker on national stages. Recognized as one of the Top 500 Event Professionals by BizBash, Nora has also been heralded as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry by Eventex. More recently, Rock Paper Coin was celebrated by the Stewie Awards as the Best Startup in Technology Services.
