As many business managers are still trying to figure out how to manage millennials, the multi-generational workforce is getting another layer.
Generation Z is made up of those born in the late 1990s or later, which means the first of them are reaching college graduation age now and entering the workforce. Jon Forknell, vice president and general manager of Atlas Business Solutions, Inc., says this group has characteristics that will allow them to excel in the workplace, provided employers adapt their training programs properly.
“Unlike the millennials’ reputation for expecting an award for everything, Gen Zers are willing to work hard for less,” Forknell writes for Allbusiness.com. “They do expect companies to be loyal to them, but they also want immediate feedback on their performance. This fits naturally into a training program.”
Some of his key points:
- Give these employees a good reason for the training you provide; explain the “why” to Gen Z new hires.
- Conduct training in groups; collective face-to-face social interaction is important to Gen Zers.
- Move fast; they are used to rapid-fire information but are less focused than older generations.
- Give immediate feedback; as game players and tech users, immediate response matters to them and is highly effective for faster learning.
