Generation Z, popularly known as GEN Z are individuals between the ages of 9 and 25. They come from a different time of the year and have obviously contrasting views that can be attributed to the seasons in which they were born. Also, the behavior, perspective, and stance of many GEN Z are a result of events (Social media and Technology as a whole) that occurred during their “growing up”. These actions exhibited by GEN Z extend to the workplaces/organizations in Nigeria influencing their corporate culture.
What’s the gist about GEN Z?
GEN Z are naturally smart people, resilient, goal-oriented, purpose-driven, and too much of a badass. They like money but also know how best to make a lot of it. They have weird but sometimes solid opinions. They are audacious, business-minded, curious, resourceful, and open to learning. If you tell a GENZ about a project, best believe they can come up with a hundred and one strategies to make it work. They may sometimes seem like trouble but they bring too much value and you don’t even get to see the odd part for long. Another thing that GEN Zs are hands-down particular about is justice; you can’t treat them wrongly and expect that they go quiet about it. They will address it immediately and request that you reason with them.
What category of GENZ can influence the corporate culture in Nigeria?
Although GENZ are people from ages 9 – 25, only the ones old enough to have a job and belong to a workplace can impact the corporate culture. The older members of the group are the middle GENZ (15-19) and the late GENZ (20 – 25); while the middle GENZ may not fully go into the workforce but offer few online services after classes, the late GENZ has entered adulthood fully, can make decisions on their own and apply for jobs that suit their skills. This explains why they can enter an organization with a unique perspective on diversity, inclusion, work-life balance, and digital innovations.
What part is GENZ playing in the Corporate Culture?
GEN Z brought a lot of transformation with them and they are playing the cards right. Currently, they are shaping whatever is important in the corporate culture; talk about people who are heavy on tech and find ways to make sure it creates multiple solutions and opportunities. The majority of the individuals currently working in tech are GENZ and they take on viable roles such as software engineers, UI/UX designers, Quality Assurance Analysts, Data Analysts, Product managers, and more. Many years ago, it was different and almost impossible to interact with everyone at work even when they weren’t physically present, but times have changed and the Nigerian Corporate Culture has a new face.
Diversity and Inclusion
GEN Zs are not one to think that a worker is different or has a higher or lower presence than another. While they give respect accordingly, they embrace all types of individuals; blacks, browns, albinos, short, tall, and red hair. They want to hear from people they have never met and they want to share their knowledge with so many other people too, which is why they find it quite easy to thrive as a team. Several years ago and even now, some job descriptions feature exceptions that do not embrace diversity in the place of work. But, with more Genz on board, these rules are being revised and much better programs are explored giving chances to different types of people and talent to shape the face of business.
They know a lot more about technology
You may be wondering if your clients can get a message every time they connect and do business with you and a Genz on the team already has more than enough strategies to help you implement your thoughts. Gen Z are not just smart, they are technology-smart and their thought process is brilliant. They have ideas and want to put them to work immediately. If it doesn’t work, they try other methods until they find one that works perfectly and effectively. When Gen Z joined the workforce, tools like Slack, Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet became useful, and even outside the office environment, employees could connect and work together. The remote workstyle started with Genz and it became a new thing to work from home. No one saw this coming and we could never have imagined that there would be a time that work could get done excellently outside of the office environment.
Work-life Balance
Gen Z are hardworking but they know where and when to draw the line. As much as they love to get their hands on so much work, they understand and prioritize a healthy work balance. The older generation of workers can spend extra hours or weekends working or completing a task but Gen Z would rather be out with friends having fun and maximizing their free time/weekends. If you listen to a Gen Z share how they unwind from work, it is way different from the traditional methods – they practice self-care (make their nails, visit spas, and get their facials done). They also encourage the companies they work for to organize team bonding programs that include games and so much fun. On days that they are not into so much leisure, they are doing other stuff they love – maybe exploring new digital tools, selling products, and speaking to people about what they do.
Social Responsibility
Gen Z are heavy on sustainability and will also take up social responsibility without giving excuses. 60% of Nigerians who are more particular about environmental sustainability are the Genz and because they have this knowledge, they pass it on to employers who ensure that the organization’s culture and values are reshaped to accommodate this idea. While some employers may not see reasons to accept this cause, those who do lean towards building a healthy company reputation and also serve as a means to contribute to society at large.
Dress sense and physical appearance
Generation Z has established the fact that shirts/slacks and skirts/blouses may not be the only way to appear decently and professionally at work. They believe that dress sense should be marked by a desire for comfort, individuality, and sustainability. Also, we can say that they prioritize performance and skills over appearance but this still doesn’t mean that they dress shabby. Instead, they have made certain workplaces, especially tech startups lean towards a relaxed dress code for most professionals and also, adopt ethical fashion practices.
Digital Presence
Social media is another thing the GenZ are very familiar with, and over time they have influenced companies in Nigeria to have a social media presence. This is why almost all business owners, employers, and big organizations have social media accounts on all social media platforms that showcase relevant content such as brand visibility, company culture, direct communication, content marketing, and employment branding. The purpose of social media is to ensure that companies have direct interaction with their customers and potential employees.
Gen Z have become an integral part of the Nigerian workforce and this gives them the autonomy to influence the corporate culture. While this group/category of workers has so much goodness to turn out, companies can continuously adapt accordingly to retain and even attract more talent from the generation.
