5 ways technology and apps can boost Gen Z engagement
It is well known that Generation Z, the ‘digital generation’, gravitates towards platforms and apps in their social lives and have the same expectations of work.
With Gen Z accounting for 20% of the world’s population, companies can ill afford to stick to traditional methods when it comes to employee benefits, wellbeing, and engagement.
In a largely employee-led market, organisations must demonstrate adaptability and creativity to adopt engagement strategies that appeal to employees, and optimise employee engagement and satisfaction among Gen Z and future generations.
1. Understand your market
Before developing new tech solutions, try to gain a good understanding of the preferences of your employees and the wider employee market.
Use platforms such as LinkedIn to engage and get to know your audience, and form focus groups where employees can voice their views and experiences.
The digital world is fast moving - measures implemented a few years ago may already be outdated and obsolete.
Be open to new strategies that keep your company in touch with those who were born into a digital world and have different priorities and expectations to the more senior employees, whose voices and opinions are likely more often heard in the workplace.
Being prepared not only to listen but also to tailor your approach based on demand is the key to making employees feel better understood and more valued.
2. Invest in communications
Robust and consistent communications strategies across a variety of technologies such as company email, intranet, internal and external websites, and social media can help employees feel connected to their employer and more involved in business development and what is going on in the workplace.
Gone are the days where email is the only method of communicating at work. Organisations would do well to implement platforms which have instant messaging tools such as Slack, Workplace by Facebook, or Microsoft Teams.
This would particularly support work from home employees and encourage collaboration, teamwork and transparency both between employees but also within the company.
This approach can also serve to prevent employees disengaging from the company because of feelings of isolation or feeling excluded from company activities.
3. Develop remote working tools and onboarding
Create and refine your strategy for engaging employees from the moment they join your company. Consider developing an onboarding week that supports remote working.
This could include virtual inductions to their new manager, members of the team and relevant colleagues. You could incorporate IT training on the computer programs/platforms that you use so that all new employees can become familiar with these.
New and existing employees alike can be encouraged to contact their colleagues through the use of communication platforms.
Ensure that you have set up and train your employees on video conferencing platforms such as Asana or Zoom.
4. Develop self-serve hubs
Self-service hubs empower employees to take control of and manage different aspects of their employment themselves.
Employees can use self-service hubs to access their payroll related documents, view pay slips, request holiday, track how many days of leave they have available or report sickness.
Managers are also able to access and authorise requests. Such hubs are a good way of using technology and can improve the efficiency of HR processes for managers and employees.
5. Adopting tech-friendly employee benefits
An increasing number of companies are adopting tech-friendly employee benefits that include use of an app, or different type of online platform to provide greater access, convenience and flexibility when it comes to employees accessing benefits.
Tech-friendly employee benefits can be used for online learning and development/training programmes that let employees take charge of their career and track their progress, achievements and development.
Mobile applications can also be used for health and wellbeing benefits such as EAPs, online counselling, or wellness programmes, which people may prefer to use away from the office.
By embracing technology and implementing innovative solutions, organisations can create an environment that resonates with younger employees.
From personalised learning to virtual collaboration tools, leveraging tech platforms effectively enhances employee experience and boosts engagement, driving organisational success in the digital era.
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