5 Ways to Retain Generation Z
by Janette Blanco | April 5, 2019
Now that you have discovered how to attract a new Generation Z team, you need to focus on what it will take to make them stay.
In today’s workforce, many companies have a staff comprised of a variety of generations. From Baby Boomers, to Generation X, to Millennials, to today’s Generation Z, each generation has its own needs, demands, and ways of communicating.
As the Millennials start to advance in their careers, Generation Z is starting to follow in their footsteps. However, business owners are starting to realize that this new generation may be a little higher maintenance than their predecessors.
However, the effort is worth it, as it becomes increasingly clear that this new generation are resourceful problem solvers who are up to any challenge presented to them. In fact, they welcome the challenges.
Here are five ways to help motivate and retain this new generation of employees:
Flexibility
Generation Z works hard, but likes to play harder. There must be a steady work/life balance in order to keep them on board. Sometimes this balance can be even more important than pay. It is important for owners to get to know their staff and understand what their lifestyle is like.
Cross-training
This generation gets bored pretty easily, but on the plus side, they can multi-task and thrive on learning new things. A business owner can support that intrigue by allowing new opportunities for professional growth. Train them in multiple roles and rotate responsibilities to make them exciting.
Mentorship
Start a mentorship program with higher executives, and even the owner, in order for the younger employees to understand the path they have to take in order to succeed down the line. This will motivate them and allow them to recognize there are opportunities for growth in the company.
Succinct Meetings
This generation grew up watching YouTube. They are used to receiving information in approximately three minutes or less. Keep company meetings and professional development seminars short and sweet. You can do this by creating smaller sub-meetings out of one long meeting.
High Tech Environment
There has never been a time in their life where technology was not present. They have the ability to talk to a person while simultaneously taking notes and scrolling through their phones. Keeping abreast of all the technological advancements is a must for this generation.
Janette Blanco
Blanco, Consultants, HillsboroughAssistant Director, Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County
Specialty: Construction Industry Regulations and Licensing, Contract Compliance, Strategic Planning, City/County Contracting
Janette Blanco, assistant director of the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County, is a civil engineer from Venezuela. As a graduate from University of Massachusetts with 25 plus years of professional experience, she has spent a decade working with the entrepreneurial community in the Tampa Bay area.
Blanco’s style and approach has given rise to the development of strong relationships with significant business leaders in the Tampa Bay area. Over the course of 10 years, Blanco has provided services to approximately 1,500 with more than 10,000 consulting hours. She was the recipient of the 2016 and 2017 Florida SBDC at USF consultant of the year award for the result of her work. She has helped clients obtain more than $48M in government contracts and capital access. Blanco also teaches business-related seminars and aids clients in English and Spanish.
Janette holds a Strategic Management Performance System certification from the George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, a Master Compliance Administrator certification from the American Contract Compliance Association, a Yellow Belt certification from the International Association for Six Sigma Certification, and Post-Crisis Leadership and Diversity, Equality, Inclusion certificates, both from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.