4 minute read
GEN Z STOCKTAKE - FIVE WAYS FOR OFFICE SUPPLIERS TO ATTRACT YOUNGER PEOPLE
Is the office supplies sector stuck with its (alleged) ‘stale and male’ image – or is it able to shake this off and attract younger people to its ranks?
T
he office supplies sector is often characterised as being populated by the older generation and, more specifically, older men. For it to thrive in the future, it has been suggested that it needs to engage with, and recruit, more young people, especially college and university leavers; how can the sector – and individual dealers – do this effectively?
More than one-third of the world’s population count themselves as part of Gen Z. In England alone, 3.47 million of this tech savvy generation aged 20 – 24, has now entered into the ‘world of work’ and they offer a myriad of benefits to any workforce – but can you attract the right fit for your dealership? In this article, we take a look at how to do that with five simple steps.
1INVEST IN THE RIGHT SORT OF WORK CULTURE
A survey by YouGov revealed that 39% of these new future employees want to work for employers that live and breathe values that align with their own. This does not necessarily mean lots of team socials, table tennis in the office and free food but rather that their ideal employer prioritises their welfare.
Benefits geared towards a good work-life balance - including flexible hours (37%), paid holiday time (34%) and paid sick leave (32%) are all particularly attractive selling points. Just 15% were motivated by ‘perks’ such as gym access, free snacks and happy hours.
2DIVERSIFY YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT
A massive 77% of this cohort attested to the importance of diversity in the work environment. Do you have a dedicated diversity and inclusion strategy? An unbiased hiring process? Do you arrange talks, host events, and support charities? If not, maybe you need to start thinking about these things.
3UPGRADE YOUR TECHNOLOGY
Gen Z is the first generation to have been around technology since birth. Vincent Belliveau, of people development software provider, Cornerstone OnDemand, says it’s important to put money behind technologies that focus on people. “Invest in systems that will help your employees grow and develop, rather than transactional systems like payroll and time management. Put the emphasis on your people, and focus on the technologies that will help your employees prepare for a digitally-focused and fast-moving workplace of the future.”
Investing in technology will not only render you more attractive to job applicants, it will also propel your business into the growing digital age. Statistics show that 80% of Gen-Z would prefer to work with cutting-edge technology, while 91% say that technology is an important variable when searching for job opportunities.
4CHANGE YOUR IMAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Where will you find your future employees? On social media. Whilst you might not use social media platforms directly to sell your office supplies, it’s an essential tool to increase brand awareness and – importantly – attract younger people to your dealership. Showcase your culture on the social media platforms that you know your prospective employees use; advertise your benefits and demonstrate that you care about what they care about.
Post frequently and keep your content engaging - not only will you grow your follower base, but they will also be more likely to think of your dealership the next time they’re looking for a new job. One-inthree employed 18-24 year-olds are actively looking for work elsewhere, so now’s your chance to make some changes and show them what you can offer.
5START WORKING WITH LOCAL COLLEGES AND DEVELOP AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME
Kicking off your own apprenticeship scheme can bring talented graduates and students right to your door. This is about getting youngsters excited about a future in office supplies – and, specifically, your dealership. They’re likely to be the future leaders of your business if you get this bit right.
This is a very cost-effective option – a total win-win. You can get help from the government to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment and as an incentive payment for other costs. The amount you get depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy or not - have a look at the information available on this.
Apprenticeships are a popular choice, with figures showing a 76% feeling that learning is the key to their progression. Get in touch with schools and colleges in your area to raise awareness of jobs in the office supplies sector. Tell them about the skills they would learn and some of your achievements.
“With an apprenticeship, you’re getting real work experience alongside the education. It gives you more experience, and a head start in the workplace.” (George Marsh, IT apprentice recruitment coordinator at Lifetime)
