How to engage Gen Z: It's time to meet the CTO of the future.
In business, the only constant is change – so for companies to succeed, they must always look to the future. And nothing represents our world's future quite like a new generation of professionals: Gen Z.
Gen Z, typically defined as those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s makes its mark with a fresh perspective, technological fluency, and a passion for innovation. This digitally native cohort brings unique strengths to the table, challenging traditional norms and pushing boundaries in the pursuit of success.
What makes Gen Z unique?
Raised in a world connected by technology, Gen Z individuals possess a deep understanding of digital platforms and social media, enabling them to harness the power of these tools to drive business growth and engagement. With their inherent adaptability and inclination for creative problem-solving, Gen Z professionals are poised to revolutionize industries and champion a new era of entrepreneurship. Their entrepreneurial spirit, collaborative mindset, and hunger for purposeful work reshape how businesses operate, paving the way for greater diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability in the corporate world.
As Gen Z enters the workforce in more significant numbers, businesses need to recognize and harness their potential, embracing their fresh ideas and perspectives to drive innovation and foster growth in a rapidly changing global economy.
What does Generation Z offer the business world?
Regarding business, Generation Z is expected to represent 20% of the workforce by 2025 (in the U.S. and Germany). And you can expect Gen Zers to take on the future in many ways. They will bring fresh perspectives and out-of-the-box ideas that senior members may have difficulty digesting.
Members of the C-suite might not "get" Gen Z at first – they have a different set of values and beliefs, including deep care for ethics, diversity, social responsibility, and environmental issues – none of which were priorities for generations past. They also demand a work/life balance and are entering the workforce to create new models that will make old models obsolete. But there are some clever ways to combine the unique skillsets of the different generations and make businesses future-ready.
What is the role of tomorrow? The Chief Tomorrow Officer.
Are you still wondering how you can bridge that gap in your business? Enter the Chief Tomorrow Officer. Never heard of it? No worries. It's still relatively new, but as its name implies, it will be a staple position for businesses in the future. Deutsche Telekom's subsidiary T-Systems founded the idea. And the role was originated by Nouran (Noor) Elsherbiny, who gave us many insights during our Straight to Business podcast episode with her.
What does the role entail precisely? The CTO's function bridges the gap between what companies are currently doing and their futures. The goal is to create more understanding and for the C-level to empower Gen Z to be entrepreneurs inside the company.
But that's not all! The CTO leads the Tomorrow Board, a Gen Z focus group to test their ideas in the C-Suite. Marketed as "Gen Z in the Boardroom," it has become a mutually beneficial program in which executives get exciting, brand-new ideas, and Gen Z gets a chance to network and demonstrate their innovative side. During their meetings, Gen Z members are invited to ask unique questions for the future in front of the board.
How can a Gen Z CTO help your business?
Asking questions, bringing up unique challenges, and coming up with creative ideas to answer and tackle them as a team makes the position of the CTO and the collaboration with the Tomorrow Board so special.
Examples of relevant questions to ask and work on could be:
How can AI help us to have a less stressful workplace?
How can we use IT devices to prevent diseases?
How can we have a more impressive user experience?
During meetings, all team members have the opportunity to go deeper and ask additional questions to experts. The goal is always to create tangible solutions or ideas for improving the business. As Gen Z values being empowered and making an impact, this program is very desirable for them. It's basically like building their own startup within the company.
Another essential aspect of the CTO and the Tomorrow Board program is that it is the only way to stay present for the future while also future-proofing your company to remain relevant with all upcoming challenges. As change is inevitable, future-proofing should be one of your highest priorities as a company.
T-Systems is making this program accessible to other companies and helping them implement it for maximum benefits. However, if you're not enrolled, the best advice for creating a program is to just start! Get Gen Z inside your company's boardrooms and let them ask questions and challenge the status quo. Company leadership has to be very open-minded to take on new ideas with the understanding that this won't be a one-person show: everyone is sharing ideas together.
How can you get started to future-proof your company?
One of the best ways to recruit Gen Z is to make your company visible to them on LinkedIn. As they begin to join the growing community, LinkedIn is your opportunity to display your authenticity to them – another considerable value for Gen Z. You do this by getting more diverse in what you share and not being afraid to get a little personal – stories, opinions, and views give your Gen Z prospects better insight into who you are and what your company stands for.
Implementing a strategic approach is key to making your company visible on LinkedIn. Start by optimizing your company's LinkedIn page with relevant keywords and a compelling description communicating your brand identity and value proposition. Regularly post engaging and informative content that resonates with your target audience, showcasing your expertise and thought leadership. Utilize LinkedIn's targeting options to reach specific demographics, industries, or job titles through sponsored content and ads.
Encourage employees to engage with your company's LinkedIn content and share it with their networks, amplifying your brand's visibility. And don't forget to engage with your followers by responding to comments, participating in industry-related discussions, and sharing valuable insights! Another trick is actively seeking partnerships and collaborations with influential individuals or organizations in your industry, leveraging their networks to expand your reach.
Lastly, join relevant LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions, positioning your company as a knowledgeable resource and establishing connections with potential customers, partners, or clients. By consistently implementing these strategies, you can effectively increase your company's visibility on LinkedIn, enhance its overall presence in the professional community, and attract high-quality Gen Zers to join your team and help you future-proof your business.
Are you ready to include Generation Z and a futuristic mindset in your business?
So what are you waiting for? Make this info-savvy, limitless generation a part of your organization, and the future will be bright. And if you really want your company to shine – invest in a Chief Tomorrow Officer and watch your up-and-coming generations soar.
Let us know your thoughts about our ideas and our podcast episode with Nouran (Noor) Elsherbiny on engaging Gen Z. We can't wait for your input!
Photos by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels