We’ve all heard the buzz about Millennials, and a huge number of businesses have adapted their structure and management style to meet the needs of their up-coming workforce – but what about Generation C?
Who are they – and what can we do for them?
Who are Generation C?
Generation C might be a term you’ve never even heard before – and without even knowing who they are, how can you get it right for them in the workplace?
Generation C might be predominantly a younger audience – but, unlike millennials, the boundaries this group fit within aren’t linked solely to age; C means Content – and Generation Content are the ever-growing band of people who work, rest and play creatively – whatever their age.
C is creation. It’s communication. It’s curation, connection and community. It’s creativity, making the most of the modern world – and these are the people sitting in your office right now. How can you, as a leader, make sure they perform well and keep them engaged in your business, and retain their unique skills?
Five ways you’re alienating Generation C
Leadership means understanding your people; what makes Generation C tick, and how can you include it in your day-to-day business model, and in the learning and development you offer your team?
Relationship building
Michael Corleone famously said “It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.” But for Generation C, it’s both.
Generation C are people-people; the human touch is what makes them tick. They aren’t as interested in statistics and sales lines as they are in who they’re selling to; building relationships with clients means that you’re more likely to retain their business – and encouraging this approach in your own team shows that you understand the importance of people in business.
Your Generation C workforce want to be heard and understood as people with a unique view on what you do – everyone has their own skills – as a leader, building a relationship with your team that allows for two-way feedback means they feel appreciated, and perform better.
Communication
Generation C sure can talk! These are the people creating the reams of content we find online – the blogs, the websites, the YouTube videos, the infographics and Instagram streams, these are the people who share, share and share again, using their global connectivity to share their passions, personalities and preferences.
As a leader, if you aren’t tapping into that and being part of the conversation, then you’re missing out on a mass market- and either not being discussed or, worse, being slated and not even knowing it.
Communication with your Generation C workforce isn’t just limited to the in-office relationship – it means a web of ways in which you share information and corporate messages; it means connectivity across all boards, and using that relationship to hear what they say and share as much as passing on your own message.
For more of this article visit our blog and learn how honesty, speed and the right content and training can make a world of difference when you’re leading a Generation C team, or contact one of our team to discuss how we can create bespoke learning programmes that connect your leaders to your workforce.
