Episode 116 - What Do 18 Year Olds Think About Work And Business?

In this enlightening episode of The SME Growth Podcast, Dave Parry sits down with Kirsty, an 18-year-old representative of Generation Z, to explore the evolving expectations and perspectives that young people bring to today's workplace. This conversation offers business owners and managers rare direct insight into how the newest generation of workers views employment, work-life balance, and professional development. Kirsty shares candid perspectives on everything from the intense competition for entry-level positions to the importance of concise, visually engaging social media content for reaching her generation effectively. Through thoughtful questions that avoid generational stereotypes, Dave creates space for authentic dialogue about technological fluency, salary expectations, and workplace communication preferences. Rather than relying on generalizations or assumptions about young workers, this episode provides authentic firsthand perspectives that can help businesses attract, retain, and effectively collaborate with Gen Z talent.

Head over to our YouTube channel and subscribe for exclusive content and a chance to see the fully clothed versions of our episodes: @TheSMEGrowthPodcast.

You can listen to the full episode here

Listen to the full episode now

Key Topics Discussed

Technology and Digital Natives in the Workplace

• Exploration of how growing up with technology fundamentally shapes Gen Z's approach to work and problem-solving
• Analysis of the differences in technological fluency between generations and how this impacts workplace dynamics
• Discussion of how digital immersion influences communication styles and expectations
• Examination of both the advantages and challenges that come with being a generation raised on technology
• Investigation of how businesses can leverage Gen Z's technological aptitude while providing necessary structure

Work-Life Balance and Compensation Priorities

• Detailed breakdown of how younger workers evaluate the trade-offs between salary and quality of life
• Analysis of changing perspectives on what constitutes fair compensation across different generations
• Examination of how economic realities influence job search priorities for young people entering the workforce
• Discussion of the competitive job market even for entry-level positions and its impact on wage expectations
• Consideration of ethical questions surrounding age-based pay differences and minimum wage structures

Employment Expectations and Job Market Realities

• Structured approach to understanding Gen Z's expectations when entering the workforce
• Importance of recognizing the competitive landscape for even basic employment opportunities
• Analysis of how younger workers approach job security versus workplace satisfaction
• Discussion of financial pressures unique to this generation and how they impact career decisions
• Examination of entrepreneurial interest among Gen Z compared to traditional employment paths

Effective Marketing and Communication with Younger Audiences

• Exploration of social media as a critical channel for reaching Gen Z consumers and employees
• Analysis of attention span considerations when designing marketing content for younger audiences
• Discussion of specific content strategies that resonate with Generation Z
• Consideration of visual and video-based communication versus text-heavy approaches
• Assessment of authentic engagement strategies that avoid appearing out-of-touch to younger audiences

Quotes to Remember

"We've had technology growing up, like using it quite a lot, and that probably is a very, very big difference compared to like older generations when they didn't have that."

"Would you be prepared to sacrifice salary for more work-life balance?"

"I think it's definitely for using social media to your advantage."

"The competition to actually find a job in a supermarket, however, is so, so competitive, right? So the fact that you can offer a wage advantage to employer by being younger."

"People of my generation don't tend to have very good attention spans, so it needs to be short."

Top Takeaways:

• Leverage Social Media Effectively: Gen Z strongly emphasizes the importance of businesses establishing a compelling social media presence with brief, visually engaging content that captures their limited attention spans.
• Recognize Job Market Competition: Despite perceptions about younger workers being choosy, many Gen Z individuals are facing intense competition even for entry-level positions, making job security a significant concern.
• Address Age-Based Pay Concerns: While businesses may leverage lower minimum wages for younger workers, this practice may create perceptions of unfairness that could affect workplace culture and employee loyalty.
• Adapt Communication Styles: Short, visually-driven content is essential for effectively communicating with Generation Z, whether in marketing materials or workplace communications.
• Balance Technology and Structure: While Gen Z's technological fluency is an asset, businesses should recognize that providing appropriate workplace structure remains important for their professional development.

Head over to our YouTube channel and subscribe to The SME Growth Podcast. Share your thoughts and business challenges in the comments section of our community page: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast/community