As President of CGK, Jason Dorsey combines our extensive generational research, unique insights, and practical solutions with his trademark interactive presentation style. Every week, he’s delivering interactive virtual keynotes, VIP virtual roundtables, and high-energy webinars for leaders around the world. In one week alone this month, he had five virtual presentations in five days in five different industries!

While known for delivering in-person presentations where Jason has received over 1,000 standing ovations, his virtual presentations are even more interactive. This is why software companies hire Jason to headline their virtual user conferences, investment firms work with Jason to deliver cutting-edge insights for clients via webinar, and numerous organizations rely on Jason to inspire and educate their leaders and managers with his brand-new discoveries on how to navigate during this unprecedented time.

Watch CGK speaker Jason Dorsey delivering a virtual keynote and sharing his latest research on the impact of COVID-19 on each generation:

You can read all about CGK and Jason’s virtual offerings, from keynotes and webinars to roundtables and podcasts by clicking here.

Here are what two recent clients say:

“Jason is the best I’ve ever seen at conducting a virtual keynote and powerful online presentation. The insights were powerful and the takeaways highly actionable.”

—Ryan Wuerch, CEO, Dosh

“Thank you for a fantastic presentation on Inspiring and Leading in Unprecedented Times. It was timely, informative, educational, and infused with the enthusiasm that you always bring to the table. You can’t help but get excited and energized by the results of CGK’s research and your knowledge and passion to share what you’ve learned. Everyone walked away with a renewed sense of how we can all work together effectively in this new normal.”

—Rob G Darden, CAE, CMP, Executive Vice President

Whether you are looking for an acclaimed keynote speaker to be a draw for your most important virtual customer event, a content-rich webinar to energize your team with new skills and strategies, or a VIP virtual roundtable for 10 executives, Jason Dorsey can create a custom program for you.

In these challenging times, where large in-person gatherings cannot be held, a spectacular virtual speaker can make all the difference in driving results for your event. This can be learning, motivation, and engagement or leads, membership renewals, and sales advancement. Delivering outstanding virtual presentations are especially important when association and business leaders know they must adapt to deliver outstanding content and connection during these unprecedented, socially-distanced times.

The timing for bringing in Jason Dorsey as your virtual keynote speaker or virtual event partner has never been better. He and CGK are constantly in the media for their new research discoveries—such as recent appearances in CNBC, Fortune, BBC, USA TODAY, and many more.

Jason even has a brand-new book! Along with CGK’s CEO Denise Villa, Ph.D., Jason has written a groundbreaking new book on all things Gen Z, including how to attract them as customers and trendsetters as well as employees and brand advocates. The book, Zconomy, How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business—and What to Do About It, is essential reading for all leaders looking to connect with the newest generation of employees, consumers, and trendsetters.

How Can Jason and CGK Be A Resource for Your Next Virtual Event, Meeting, or Conference?

Reach out and we can talk about it! We not only deliver cutting-edge virtual content using the latest virtual event technology, but we are here to help you every step of the way: understanding the technology we’re seeing work best now (and what to avoid!), marketing the event for not only max registrations, but actual attendance, and delivering post-event resources and tools to drive reinforcement and action. We are here as your partner every step of the way.

Contact our friendly team here to request information on Jason Dorsey’s custom virtual programs as well as to check his availability. We are all in this together and look forward to working with you to deliver an amazing virtual event.

The post Make your Next Virtual Meeting, Conference, or Online Event a Resounding Success! appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

• How Gen Z uses the internet is different from all other generations
• Brands must be responsive to what Gen Z cares about
• Gen Z will share their personal data, but they want something for it in return

Kathryn Lundstrom from Adweek recently spoke with CGK President and lead generational researcher Jason to discuss the state of Gen Z^®. Jason shared CGK’s latest Gen Z research findings, in partnership with WP Engine, specific to Gen Z’s relationship with technology, society, and how they behave as consumers.

Jason, along with CGK’s CEO Denise Villa, Ph.D., cover these subjects and much more in their upcoming book, Zconomy, How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business—and What to Do About It. It is essential reading for all leaders looking to make a true connection with the newest generation entering the workforce and that are becoming more reliable consumers.

Gen Z and technology: Marketers who approach Gen Z differently from Millennials will be more successful 

While previous generations have been much more guarded with their personal information online, that is not the case with Gen Z. Further, marketers must treat this new generation as its own separate and distinct set of consumers. As our research has shown already, this generation is tech-dependent, and it shows. Marketing strategies that treat Gen Z as Millennials 2.0 will fall short. You can read all about this in WP Engine’s latest study report, Generation Influence: Reaching Gen Z in the New Digital Paradigm.

As Jason shared with Adweek, “That kind of marketing exposes a fundamental misunderstanding about the way that Gen Z, which now represents more than 40% of global consumers, interacts with the world.”

As WP Engine’s research in collaboration with CGK shows, and we shared with Adweek, “56% of Gen Z surveyed said they have friends online that they’ve never met in real life, and 58% said they’re uncomfortable going more than four hours without the internet.” That is really impressive and unheard of before Gen Z.

Brands that care will have Gen Z consumers that care about them

With information at our fingertips now, and Gen Z having been brought up in a digital world, they are incredibly aware of the world around them. They care about issues and believe that engaging with a movement online is just as good as any other form of agency.

And it doesn’t stop with their activity alone. As the article points out, “[Gen Z] want brands to take a stance on the things they care about, too. The same percentage of respondents said they’re more likely to buy from a brand that contributes to social causes.”

Gen Z is more relaxed when it comes to sharing data if it provides an experience customized to them

Many of us who use the internet are wary about what website and companies do with the information collected when we visit a web page. Gen Z, on the other hand, simply wants to get something in return. And in fact, they expect it!

As mentioned in the article, “72% of Gen Z surveyed said they want a website to know what they’re looking for before they get there, and 66% said they expect websites to talk to each other.”

WP Engine’s CMO, Mary Ellen Dugan pointed out that they want a ‘predictive experience’ even when privacy regulations may change how the process works.

How to market effectively to Gen Z now

In this extraordinary time, there are many challenges in connecting with our target audiences. In spite of this, marketers, and leaders from across industries must ensure that their organizations can engage Gen Z now and emerge from this time with strength. This has never been more important for employers and marketers as well as for Gen Z’s future.

At CGK, we are constantly researching how Gen Z and all generations are thinking about spending, work, brands, family, the economy, and much more throughout the pandemic. Our team is providing these insights to you with strategic advisory sessions, webinars, and virtual keynote presentations to help leaders at all levels be accurately informed with missing data and solutions to drive results at this incredibly important time.

Contact our friendly team here to learn how our custom research and generational strategies can help your team and organization lead and solve challenges through this time of uncertainty. We are all in this together.

The post Gen Z Are Not “Millennials 2.0” appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

• The racial justice protests will be a defining moment for Gen Z
• The coronavirus is having a profound impact on older Gen Z, more than any other generation
• The importance of a Generation Defining Moment and what that means to Gen Z

Jason Dorsey, CGK President and leader of 65 generational studies across four continents, was recently interviewed by Yahoo News to discuss several key topics affecting Gen Z. Using CGK’s latest research, Jason talked about CGK’s work studying Gen Z in the midst of a pandemic, mass protests, and a rapidly evolving situation in the economy that leaders are working hard to address.

Jason also talks about these topics and more in his forthcoming book, Zconomy, How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business—and What to Do About It. It is a must-read for all leaders, influencers, and trendsetters who are hiring, marketing to and employing Gen Z

Gen Z demands results as they participate in protests for racial justice

Protesting is not new to the United States. The voices of our nation have spoken out against injustice from its nascent beginnings. And as we know, the Declaration of Independence itself was a protestation against the King of England. Now, in 2020, Gen Z is taking a part of what is arguably their first mass-protest movement.

As Jason shared with Yahoo News, “We believe these racial injustice protests will be a generation-defining period for Gen Z, as they are the first widespread protests in which Gen Z has witnessed and often supported or even participated in. Gen Z is also starting to see them as creating a sense of results, even if the results are viewed as not enough, from impacting politics and national media conversations to changing advertising and social commitments.”

How we are seeing Gen Z adjust to the pandemic

Concurrent with the protests and going on several months now, the pandemic has been upending lives and livelihoods across the globe. As we have noted previously, it is Gen Z above all other generations who are feeling the financial impacts. As they have only recently entered the workforce, they tend to be the first laid off or furloughed. Our research also has shown that they have the most pessimistic view of the future even after the pandemic ends.

However, there are many bright spots. As Jason continued in “The reality is you could have a younger part of [Gen Z] that becomes very accustomed to learning online, collaborating online, accessing information and being able to take that and then apply that as they get older into the workforce, higher ed, you name it. So all of a sudden it’s gonna be normal for them to collaborate, solve problems and engage using a variety of different technologies, which would not have happened if this horrible pandemic had not happened.”

Generation Defining Moments affect all generations

Every generation can recall a time that transformed society to some degree. For Baby Boomers, it might be Kennedy’s Assassination. For many Millennials, it was 9/11. And now, our research is showing that the COVID-19 pandemic is the generation-defining moment for Gen Z.

As the article mentions, Jason believes that institutions will be affected in major ways, including schools, health care, and the police. As he said, “So these are the types of things that happen during what we call a generation-defining moment, which this is, [that] really changes you and your view of the world. You remember where you were, what happened, how you felt and you carry that forward with you.”

How Can Leaders Connect with Gen Z Now?

In this unprecedented time, leaders, marketers, and educators must have the most up to date insights and tools to drive results with Gen Z now. At CGK, we are constantly researching how Gen Z and all generations are thinking about spending, work, brands, family, education, the economy, and much more throughout the pandemic.

Our team and is providing these insights to you with strategic advisory sessions, webinars, and virtual keynote presentations to help leaders at all levels be accurately informed with missing data and solutions to drive results at this critical time.

Contact our friendly team here to learn how our customized research and generational strategies can help your team and organization lead and solve challenges through this time of uncertainty. We are all in this together.

The post Everything from Activism to Benefits, and the Coronavirus Will Define Gen Z appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

• Gen Z is the generation in the workforce most impacted by the pandemic
• Many Americans now work remotely, though not everyone likes it
• Gen Z continues to show their frugality in the face of Covid-19
• Communication is more important than ever for employers to lead effectively

CGK President and lead generational researcher Jason Dorsey sat down with Jim Fitzpatrick via Zoom to discuss several key topics affecting Gen Z and all generations. From jobs and the economy to school and the future for recent high school and college grads, Jason shared CGK’s latest research findings.

Jason, along with CGK’s CEO Denise Villa, Ph.D., go into detail on all these subjects and much more in their new book, Zconomy, How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business—and What to Do About It. It is essential reading for all leaders looking to connect with the newest generation entering the workforce and that are becoming more reliable consumers.

Gen Z is the Generation in the Workforce Most Impacted by the Pandemic

While practically no one has escaped at least some hardship brought on by the coronavirus, our research has shown that by far, Gen Z has been hit hardest. As Jason shared with CBT News, “We found that when it comes to, for example, work, the generation most negatively affected, meaning their most lost hours, lost their job, on and on and on, are all Gen Z. That is important because there is a perception out there that it is actually older generations, and that is not true.” In fact, 25% of Gen Z believe that they will be much worse off even after the pandemic is over.

Conversely, the generation doing the best, based on CGK’s latest national research, is Gen X. As Jason continued, “They were the one [generation] that tend to be doing what they were doing before.” 

Remote Work is Proving to be Hard Work

According to our latest national study, nearly half of employees in America are working remotely. We have heard and seen countless stories of kids making appearances at virtual board meetings and dogs barking in the background. However, not all are so excited about this arrangement.

As Jason noted in the interview, “We have found that nationally, the majority of Americans, 52%, across generations, do not want to work from home when the pandemic is over, that’s part-time or full-time…a lot of people still want to go into a physical place. Now, it may look a lot different, but they want to do it.”

Gen Z is More Frugal Than Ever

We have now been studying Gen Z for several years. From the start, we saw Gen Z was much more conservative with money. As Jason shared with Jim from CBT News, “They witnessed the Great Recession. Now remember they did not go through [it] as adults, they were kids, yet they were old enough to see their parents struggle.”

With that experience, the extraordinary times of today only compound Gen Z’s earlier life lesson. They will most likely look to find ways to save, potentially making them more successful in the long term. We believe they may even leapfrog some Millennials!

Even in their early 20s, Gen Z are saving money, investing, and looking for good benefits from prospective employers.

Communicating Effectively During This Crisis is a Must

While you may expect it’s most important for employers to show strength and resiliency in these tough times, what our research found was much different. As Jason shared in the interview, “In fact, what [employees] wanted most was honesty and candor. They wanted someone to be well prepared and well informed.”

And when it came to wanting empathy from their managers, the generation that wanted that attribute least was Millennials! The generation that many assume wants to be coddled and catered to actually most wanted their managers to provide accurate information.

How to Engage Gen Z Now

There are many challenges during this extraordinary time. In spite of this, leaders, marketers, and managers must ensure that their organizations can engage Gen Z now and emerge from this time with strength. This has never been more important for employers and marketers as well as for Gen Z’s future.

At CGK, we are tirelessly researching how Gen Z and all generations are thinking about spending, work, brands, family, the economy, and much more throughout the pandemic. Our team is providing these insights to you with strategic advisory sessions, webinars, and virtual keynote presentations to help leaders at all levels be accurately informed with missing data and solutions to drive results at this incredibly important time.

Contact our friendly team here to learn how our custom research and generational strategies can help your team and organization lead and solve challenges through this time of uncertainty. We are all in this together.

The post From A to Gen Z: How the Pandemic Has Impacted the Youngest Generation and All Americans appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

• The crisis has upended the future for Gen Z
• High school seniors may delay or skip college and start working
• Gen Z wants to maximize the value of their education starting where they are now

Historically, many graduating high school seniors have looked to traditional, brick and mortar universities as the natural next step to their formal education. These higher learning institutions are historically seen as a next step for many in their educational career to develop learning, skills, build a network, and create marketability for the future job market (not to mention have fun and build independence and self-reliance away from home).

However, in the last three months, since the pandemic swept across the globe, many graduating seniors are changing their higher education plans, according to a new survey. CGK President Jason Dorsey, generational researcher and author of the forthcoming book about Gen Z, Zconomy, shared his thoughts with CNBC about the new data as it relates to Gen Z and graduating high school seniors.

A Change in College Plans for Gen Z

As Jason shared with CNBC about Covid-19, “[It is] a generation defining moment.” This is important because these events will profoundly impact how Gen Z makes decisions regarding work, family, spending, and more going forward.

We already know that the experience Gen Z had as children and adolescents during the Great Recession of 2008 impacted how they looked at money, spending, saving, and work. At that time, many of them saw their parents go through the economic impacts of that event. Now they carry the financial lessons learned from that period and apply them to the decisions they are beginning to make about their own finances, including their college education.

Many in Gen Z are Thinking of Delaying College and Joining the Workforce

The study featured in the CNBC article revealed that many graduating high school seniors will either start working now or delay when they start college. As Jason shared with CNBC, “The fact that roughly half of graduating seniors have changed their plans as the result of a pandemic, which only really started three months prior to their graduation, shows the depth, severity, and impact of Covid-19 on the generation.”

Gen Z Will Re-examine the Return of Investment of Attending College

In the midst of the pandemic, these recent high school graduates are going to look at college—particularly paying for a very expensive college—in a whole new light. As Jason continued, “Seeing Gen Z’s worry about attending college, paying for college, and the value they’re going to get from the experience can have an outsized impact on their future should they choose not to attend college or pick a different college than planned.”

Long Term Implications for Gen Z and Future Employers

If Gen Z changes their education path, it will have significant long-term implications for them and for their employers and families. In the short-term, not attending college means they could get a full-time job now and start developing workplace skills. However, the job market is extremely difficult right now, and adults without college degrees could potentially earn materially less than their peers with college degrees.

On the flip side, choosing to attend college now could be financially costly, require Gen Z taking on debt at a fragile time in the economy, and with little certainty that in four years the education they chose will pay off in a rewarding career or job. In addition, Gen Z’s parents are also impacted because they often are helping to financially support Gen Z at college and yet may themselves be out of work now and could benefit from another income source for their household.

All of these scenarios, along with the tragic impact of the pandemic, make this higher education decision highly consequential. At CGK, we will be watching this closely!

How Will You Recruit, Retain, and Motivate Gen Z Graduates as They Enter the Workforce?

In these extraordinary times, leaders across industries need the latest insights into the behaviors and attitudes of Gen Z as job seekers, employees, and emerging leaders. It is essential that companies and organizations engage this important generation in the right way now to build their talent pipeline and prepare for long-term success.

At CGK, we lead national and international studies on Gen Z and how they see the world. We uncover what they think about work, shopping, technology, education, voting, and much more. As part of our strategic advisory work, webinars, and virtual keynote presentations, we provide these research-based insights to leaders to help inform their key strategic decisions to drive measurable results.

Contact our friendly team here to learn how we can be your trusted generational strategy resource through this time of uncertainty.

The post Half of Graduating High School Seniors Have Changed Their Plans appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

• Campus life has been upended
• Online classes will become more mainstream
• Gen Z will look to minimize the cost of higher education

For millions of people, the college experience was a memorable one. Many remember the look and feel of being on campus, studying in groups or individually at the library or in your dorm late at night, and the energized environment of a large lecture hall or interactive senior seminar. All of these experiences have been challenged or completely shuttered in recent months due to the pandemic.

Colleges and universities across the country were forced to rapidly move to an online format or close completely this past spring as they rapidly tried to adapt to a situation most have never encountered before: a global pandemic. Now that the fall semester is on the horizon, colleges, students, faculty, parents, and college communities are trying to determine what higher education should look like in Fall 2020.

CGK President Jason Dorsey, an expert on Gen Z and author of the forthcoming book, Zconomy, shared with CNBC the latest information from our research as it relates to Gen Z, college, and the future of learning.

Campus Life and the Pandemic for Gen Z

Recently the CDC offered guidelines for a return to “college life.” However, spikes in the COVID-19 infection rate, dramatically varying risk and health profiles, and international as well as domestic travel difficulties make the many different policies and procedures being discussed a very fluid, challenging, emotional, and highly politicized must-solve project.

As Jason shared with CNBC, “The challenge is that we’ve seen very different responses to the current situation, from communities asking everyone to wear masks to other communities only 30 minutes away where very few people wear masks — and all these norms will collide together on campus.” Additionally, activities such as Greek Life, intramural sports, and dorm living will be greatly impacted, to say the least. All of this will have a ripple effect on families of students, faculty, communities, and the countless support staff, vendors, and more who are directly or indirectly impacted by higher education.

What Will Colleges Offer in the Fall?

Typically, universities offer myriad class options, extracurricular activities, on-campus meals, a variety of events and experiences, and so much more. In these uncertain times, colleges are already moving away from traditional in-person activities and towards more virtual experiences—including college tours—as the technology becomes both necessary and increasingly normalized. However, online education is not always ideal. It has many limitations, particularly when serving students who may not have access to the technological tools they need to be successful, a need for individualized instruction or group activities, as well as physical requirements for programs in science, art, music, and more.

As Jason shared with CNBC, “For as much as people complain about video chat and online platforms, the reality is these technologies have brought education, connection, and community to students’ homes around the world. It likely will be further integrated even when higher education eventually has the option to offer all classes in-person.”

Gen Z’s Cost Consciousness May Have a Huge Impact on the Price of College

CGK’s research has consistently shown that Gen Z is more fiscally conservative than prior generations. They saw their parents grapple with the 2008 Great Recession and have taken those experiences to heart in their own lives as they come of age and think about spending, saving, and money in general.

When it comes to choosing their path of higher education, we expect this behavior be in full effect—and reinforced by their own parents who are also feeling the weight of record-setting job losses. As Jason shared on his video interview with CNBC, “What our research shows is that when it comes to money and paying for college/university relative to other career pathways, is that Gen Z is very fiscally conservative, meaning that they are more practical with their money so Gen Z went into this experience already trying to figure out, ‘how do I minimize the cost?’”.

Jason continued, “[Millennials] were told get into the best college you can, get loans and it will all work out fine, and that’s been a huge headwind for my generation.” Jason knows this not only through the 65+ generational studies he and the team at CGK have led, but also because he is a Millennial!

What Can Parents, Higher Education Leaders, and Employers Do Now?

With the rapid and dramatic pandemic-related changes and challenges taking place in higher education and those dependent on it (employers, communities, governments, and more), leaders must have accurate, current data and insights about Gen Z to ensure that their organizations can effectively engage, build trust, and lead this important generation as employees, customers, and trendsetters.

At CGK, we are continually researching Gen Z and their mindset, behaviors, actions, and priorities. This includes uncovering how they think about work, money, brands, the economy, education, and much more. We provide these insights as part of our strategic advisory work,  webinars, and virtual keynote presentations to help leaders gain and act on the research-based insights they need to make key strategic decisions.

Contact our friendly team here to learn how we can be your trusted generational resource during this time of uncertainty and rapid change.

The post College in the Time of the Pandemic appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

• COVID-19 is Gen Z’s ‘where were you when’ moment
• Gen Z has been and will continue to be more frugal than previous generations
• Expect career reconsideration for older Gen Z and unexpected benefits for the youngest Gen Z

Without a doubt, the last few months have been an unprecedented time. No matter how each of us has been affected, everyone has experienced some sort of change in their lives. According to our latest research, Gen Z has seen the worst of these effects, especially on the economic side. It also shows they are the most likely to change and be changed going forward. The pandemic is what we at CGK call a Generation Defining Moment.

CGK President Jason Dorsey, the author of the forthcoming book, Zconomy, shared at length with CNBC the latest Gen Z  research, insights, and unexpected trends occurring during these novel times. Below are a few essential insights you should know now.

The Pandemic Will Be the First Generation Defining Moment for Generation Z

Previous generations remember where they were during such times as the Kennedy Assassination, when the Berlin Wall came down, and September 11^th. For Gen Z, the pandemic will be the first defining moment of this period in their lives. It is their ‘where were you when’ moment.

This matters not just as a point of conversation; it is a defining and consequential moment that will have a significant long-term impact. As Jason shared with CNBC, “This is the first one that they are experiencing on their journey to, or while entering, adulthood.”

Gen Z Will Mind Their Money

The economic aspects of the pandemic are extreme. For Gen Z, their memory of the fiscal uncertainty during the 2008 recession often establishes their tendency for frugality and propensity to be financially risk-averse. As Jason shared in the article, “[Gen Z] were old enough to see and hear their parents struggle [during the Great Recession], but young enough to impact their views and beliefs about money.”

In fact, CGK’s research shows that 69% of Gen Z sees saving for retirement as a priority, and 66% are worried about paying off debt. Keep in mind, the oldest members of this generation are only 24!

Jason went further on this point with CNBC, stating: “The pandemic impacts decisions on everything, from where [Gen Z] live, to cars and the type of company they would go to work for. We are seeing them become more risk-averse. [They are] choosing not to move across the country, choosing not to move far away from what they know right now.”

Career Reconsideration and Unexpected Long-Term Benefits

While these economic, social, employment, and learning times are far from ideal, the pandemic is fundamentally affecting how we work and live. Already, we see college students rethinking industries and careers that no longer seem stable or ideal.  Not only could that mean looking for jobs closer to home or where remote work doesn’t hinder career progression, but also seeking out employers that are offering concrete benefit packages amidst the uncertainty.

For the youngest members of Gen Z, the ways society is likely to adapt will be substantial and be a part of their experience for years to come. At the moment, younger members of Gen Z often say the greatest impact on them is their inability to see friends in person and at school. In the future, they may look back and see something different.

As Jason shared with CNBC, “By the time [Gen Z] enter the workforce, they are going to have seen employers adapt, the education adapt, the credit system adapt. They are going to be the beneficiary of what that change is.”

The unexpected benefit to younger members of Gen Z may be a greater adoption of online learning, collaboration, and other tools—which bodes very well for them and their future employment. The same with skipping going to a bank’s branches or shopping for groceries in-person, all of which may now be part of a bygone era by the time the youngest members of Gen Z enter adulthood.

How Are Your Gen Z Reacting to the Pandemic?

With all of the current pandemic-related challenges, leaders must have the latest insights about Gen Z to ensure that their organizations can engage this important generation as employees, customers, and trendsetters.

At CGK, we are constantly researching Gen Z and their mindset, behaviors, and priorities. This includes how they think about work, money, brands, the economy, family, and much more. We are providing these insights as part of our strategic advisory work,  webinars, and virtual keynote presentations to help leaders have the research-based insights they need to make key strategic decisions.

Contact our friendly team here to learn how we can be your trusted generational strategy resource through this time of uncertainty.

The post A Defining Moment: The Impacts of the Pandemic on Gen Z and What It Means for Their Future appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

• Gen Z are experiencing the pandemic differently depending on their age
• Lack of school environment negatively impacts children
• Those Gen Z in the workforce are taking the brunt of the economic impact

CGK President and Gen Z expert Jason Dorsey, whose forthcoming book Zconomy is set to be released in September, shared several research-based insights about the impact of the pandemic on Gen Z with Business Insider recently. Those impacts are felt socially and economically; and will have a profound effect on how Gen Z develop in their coming of age. As we have seen, the pandemic is a Generation Defining Moment for Gen Z, aka iGen.

However, as Dorsey mentioned to Business Insider, “It’s likely Gen Z will become even more financially risk-averse than they already are and that the pandemic will change how they view work and learning [but] there’s a big difference between the seven-year-old and the 21-year-old.”

Jason is already sharing his latest insights and discoveries with clients in customized virtual events, podcasts, and interactive webinars.

Gen Z Missing Friends: Especially Hard for School-Age Children

Health experts continue to stress the need for social distancing and other preventive measures during the pandemic. This new normal for social interaction has had an impact on all of us, especially children.

As Jason Dorsey shared with Business Insider, “[Kids] already living at home with their parents [are telling us] they now have to see their parents all the time during quarantine life. They’ve also said that they miss school and their friends.”

High School Seniors and College Students’ Expectations are Changing Rapidly

Young adults finishing high school and those in college are seeing the same issues compounded with a realization that their futures have been affected as well.

As Jason highlighted in the interview, “[High school seniors’] graduations and proms have been canceled, and this is their last year to drive academic and sports achievements. But seniors aren’t just disappointed they’re missing out on their last year of high school. They’re also unsure what will happen after graduation.”

It is not much better for college students. Leaning on our latest research, Jason continued, “Some are unsure if their classmates whose parents were laid off will return to school, because they may no longer be able to afford tuition […] There’s also the fact that some on-campus requirements like science labs can’t be [replicated] at home.”

Economic Uncertainty Greatly Affects Gen Z Workers

America has now seen over 35 million workers file for unemployment in the last two months. Our studies have shown that Gen Z has seen the worst of these economic impacts. It isn’t just about just losing their job, either.

As Jason explained in the interview, “They’ve already been trying to become self-reliant and to build a foundation into adulthood and that’s completely gone. They don’t have finances to fall back on, and they can’t count on parents. They’re really in desperate straits because they lost their job or income and don’t have backstops to help them right now. They also don’t have a retirement account to pull money out of.”

Gen Z is experiencing many challenges now. Notwithstanding, there are many opportunities for them to find their silver lining based on this Generation Defining Moment. Jason and his co-author, Dr. Denise Villa, write about Gen Z’s strengths and more in their forthcoming book, Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business—and What to Do About It.

How to Engage Your Gen Z Customers and Employees

There are many challenges with the uncertainty happening now. Leaders, marketers, and managers must ensure that their business can engage Gen Z and emerge stronger. At CGK, we are meticulously researching how Gen Z and all generations are thinking about spending, work, brands, family, the economy, and much more throughout the pandemic. We are providing these insights to you as executive briefings, webinars, and virtual keynote presentations to help leaders at all levels be accurately informed with missing data and solutions to drive results at this incredibly important time.

Contact our friendly team here to learn how our custom research and generational discoveries can help your team and organization lead and solve challenges through this time of uncertainty.

The post Gen Z During the Pandemic: One Generation, Four Different Experiences appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

• Gen Z is already looking to save for retirement, even in their early 20s!
• Gen Z is seeking good benefits from current and future employers
• The coronavirus has only solidified these important trends

CGK President and co-founder Jason Dorsey spoke to Plansponsor earlier this month about Gen Z and their propensity to save money at an early age. Dorsey, whose forthcoming book Zconomy is set to be released in September, shared the latest insights on Gen Z and their financial habits.

Our research has already been pointing to this young generation being better savers than their Millennial predecessors for the last several years. Coupled with the effects of the Great Recession of 2008 on their parents and the impacts of the pandemic starting to take shape on Gen Z directly, Gen Z’s fiscal cautiousness will likely solidify.

Leaders understand that these events will have profound effects, and Jason is already sharing these insights with clients in customized virtual events, podcasts, and interactive webinars.

Funding Retirement Accounts in Your Early 20s?!

In prior times, many workers coming straight out of college were not focused on putting away money for savings. Now, studies are showing that Gen Z is saving money at a higher percentage than other generations had done.

As Jason shared with Plansponsor, “12% of Gen Z workers have initiated their retirement savings, while 35% plan to begin saving in their 20s. These are people that are 23 years old and younger, and they’re already saving for retirement. They’re doing more comparison shopping, they’re shopping more in thrift stores, they were the ones that have the emergency accounts.”

Gen Z Favors Employers Who Offer ‘Traditional’ or ‘Real’ Benefits

Companies that offer free lunches and gym memberships as ‘deal-closers’ for Gen Z workers entering the workforce will be in for an unpleasant surprise. Young employees want to see solid health care benefits and retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k, 403b) that are matched by the employer.

Employers are going to have to compromise with Gen Z recruits, and Gen Z is willing to work with them. As Jason shared in the interview, “Sixty percent of Gen Z workers stated they would accept a 10% lower starting salary in return for a better benefits package. Already prior to COVID-19, these workers were showing that these benefits are important to them.”

The Pandemic is Reinforcing These Ideas for Gen Z

The pandemic is what we call a Generation Defining Moment for Gen Z. During this time of uncertainty, all of us are looking for stability. For Gen Z, it is about securing their future and being able to pay for healthcare.

The article notes the importance of “health care engagement” and gives the example of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). These products are particularly important to Gen Z as they are likely to be at multiple jobs in their careers, and there is no penalty associated with HSAs.

Jason and his co-author, Dr. Denise Villa, write about what Gen Z is looking for, not only as employees but also as clients and trendsetters in their forthcoming book, Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business—and What to Do About It.

How Can Leaders Adapt Now To Drive Results with Gen Z?

There are many challenges with the uncertainty happening now. In spite of this, leaders must ensure that their business can engage Gen Z and emerge from this period in time stronger.

Here at CGK, we are carefully researching how Gen Z and all generations are thinking about the economy, work, spending, brands, family, and much more during this ‘new normal.’ We are providing these insights to clients as executive briefings, webinars, and virtual keynote presentations to help leaders at all levels be accurately informed with missing data and solutions to drive results during this important time.

Contact our friendly team here to learn how our research and generational discoveries can help your team and organization through this time of uncertainty with our custom webinar, virtual keynotes, and more.

The post Gen Z Driven to Save appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

A recent USA Today article about generations quoted CGK President and generational expert, Jason Dorsey. The article revealed how Millennials and Gen Z are reviving products and practices that have declined in popularity in recent years (or decades). The list includes record players, Polaroid cameras, and even marriage!

Our youngest generations are often labeled as responsible—or even the catalyst—for the rapid decline of once-thriving industries. These include diamonds, motorcycles, casual dining, and even traditional beer brands. CGK research, however, casts doubt on some of these claims. In fact, Millennials and Gen Z may be bringing several declining trends back to life!

Polaroids and record players

Many Millennials and Gen Z have acquired a taste for vintage tech and hobbies. Despite being digital dependents, these generations are embracing pre-digital devices like Polaroid cameras. Per MarketWatch, the instant camera market will grow by $70 million over the next six years.

“These kind of retro or vintage devices are really an opportunity to connect generations,” says Dorsey. “My eight-year-old daughter Rya loves to talk about Polaroids and record players with her grandmother.”

Per CNBC and MusicWatch, in 2017 just 27% of vinyl record consumers were age 36 or older. Also, vinyl sales increased by almost ten percent last year. These numbers suggest surging interest in records from Millennials and exceptionally price-conscious Gen Z.

CGK research indicates that digital dependency may influence these trends. Digital devices play a central role in the daily lives of Millennials and Gen Z. Older, analog technology offers a sense of novelty that younger generations don’t get from iPhones.

Marriage and libraries

Millennials appear to get divorced less frequently than some previous generations. Per a University of Maryland study, the U.S. divorce rate dropped 18 percent from 2008 to 2016. The study’s author attributed the drop almost entirely to couples under the age of 45.

“Millennials wait longer to get married,” says Dorsey. “They’re also more likely to hold undergraduate and graduate degrees.” Some studies suggest that marriages with older, more educated partners may have a better chance of avoiding divorce.

Marriage isn’t the only “retro” practice Millennials are embracing. Per the Pew Research Center, 53 percent of Millennials reported using a library in 2017. While many visit traditional public libraries, some also use mobile libraries (libraries-in-a-van).

Other generations sometimes like to blame Millennials and Gen Z for killing industries. The truth is more complicated, and change comes in many forms. When younger generations turn away from one trend, they often embrace another. Leaders can benefit enormously from understanding these shifts!

How your organization can adapt to generational trends

Would you like to learn more about preparing your organization for Millennials and Gen Z as trendsetters, employees, and consumers? Contact us here. We’ll set up a phone call to see how we can be a resource to you. We offer customized keynote presentations, generational research, and more. We are passionate about unlocking the potential of every generation!

The post Millennials and Gen Z have resurrected some surprising trends appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

Bloomberg News featured CGK’s research on Gen Z and Gen X

Bloomberg News recently wrote a feature story on Gen Z, and The Center for Generational Kinetics played a key role!

As Gen Z—also known as iGen or Centennials—age into an enormously influential group of employees, customers, and trendsetters, smart business leaders recognize that now is the time to unlock this new generation’s potential. But which Gen Z trends should leaders track most closely? According to Jason Dorsey, the leading Gen Z researcher and President of the Center for Generational Kinetics, one key trend to follow is parenting.

Gen X parents are a huge influence on Gen Z as employees and consumers

“Gen Z are not a more extreme version of Millennials,” says Dorsey. “Their habits and attitudes are very different, and that’s heavily influenced by parenting.”

Baby Boomers worked hard to build personal wealth and social progress so their Millennial kids could have easier lives. This approach conditioned behaviors and attitudes that fed into the modern Millennial stereotype of an overly entitled generation—a generalization that our research calls into question, especially since Millennials are splitting into two different generations.

Endless memes about Millennial entitlement have motivated Gen X parents—and many new Millennial parents—to move away from the parenting methods that they perceive as enabling entitlement. This is having a profound impact on Gen Z as they become adults themselves.

Gen Z grew up in the middle of the Great Recession

When the U.S. economy took a turn for the worse in 2008, many in Gen Z watched their parents stress over bills and make serious efforts to cut spending however possible. During some of Gen Z’s most formative years, Gen X parents became much more cautious around credit and careful with money. Gen Z also saw the headlines about housing foreclosures and Millennials unable to get jobs or having to move back in with their parents.

“Our research really emphasizes how much Gen X navigating the Great Recession has impacted the way Gen Z approaches money, debt, credit, and financial risk,” says Dr. Denise Villa, CEO of CGK. “They’re much more inclined to avoid debt—12% of the generation are already saving for retirement. That is a very high number, given the oldest age of study participants was 22.”

Unlocking the potential of Gen Z

Gen Z represents the greatest generational business opportunity of the last fifteen years. Understanding the influence of Gen X parents on Gen Z—and the resulting behaviors and expectations—enables business leaders to design strategies and solutions that will help Gen Z thrive as they become employees, customers, and ever-more-important trendsetters.

“Knowing why Gen Z has these unique behaviors and attitudes is incredibly valuable in helping them unlock their talent as employees and their influence as customers and brand advocates,” says Dorsey. “I have a ton of confidence in Gen Z. Now it is up to Gen Z and the other generations to rise to the challenge and opportunity this new generation presents.”

To learn how Gen Z and parenting trends could be a hidden driver in your business’ success, invite one of CGK’s acclaimed generational speakers to speak for you! Click here to learn more.

The post Gen X parents are raising Gen Z kids very differently than Baby Boomers raised Millennials appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.

CGK Keynote Speaker Jason Dorsey just returned from headlining a global business conference in Singapore. The attendees were leaders and executives who run businesses in more than 80 countries around the world. Wow!

He shared exactly how you can build your business and brand across generations around the world by accurately understanding Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers. He crushed a number of Gen Z and Millennial myths—from them being tech savvy to the entitlement mindset—while building trust, excitement, and know-how with each generation in the room.

The complexities of presenting generational insights and specific marketing strategies in a way that was easy for the translators to translate—and geographically accurate for each global market—made this keynote the type of challenge Jason loves to tackle.

After his 90-minute keynote, Jason took questions live from the stage. The questions represented the frontline realities of running a global business that depends on each generation. The client has already requested Jason to keynote their next international event in Europe. Yes! We love this work!

As you know, we get fired up sharing CGK’s latest generational research, stories, solutions, and how-tos. We know that with the right data and practical approach we can unlock the potential of every generation around the world.

We’re especially grateful for all the hard work that went into producing such a high-profile event with so many languages, cultures, and generations in one room!

And a big thank you to each of you who have been on this journey with us—family, friends, supporters, and our team at CGK. You inspire us to keep breaking through the myths about Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Boomers to drive connection and innovation!

Want a new approach to bridging generations?

We lead national and international Gen Z, Millennial, and generational studies for our clients every day. We also keynote events around the world, helping businesses better understand their customers and workforce to drive fast results.

Let us know how we can help you. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll be happy to provide a little information for you to review.

Keep the conversation going. Follow CGK on Twitter @GenHQ and Jason Dorsey @JasonDorsey. We are passionate about sharing our latest generational discoveries!

The post CGK’s Gen Z Keynote Speaker Jason Dorsey Gets Standing Ovation in Singapore appeared first on The Center For Generational Kinetics.