The SCORE 2015 Issue 1 | Page 23

a unique set of characteristics that could easily propel them to leadership positions at work (such as expertise with online collaboration tools), or at the same time, trip them up and cause career setbacks (e.g., weak face-to-face social skills). Like each previous generation, their distinctive perspectives should be understood so that management practices can best support their needs. This generation is diverse and therefore, so must be your company culture. Traditional norms and roles involving gender and race no longer apply to this group and they rebuff many of the ideals of what they consider old-fashioned and out of touch. They demand to be approached in a manner that is respectful and even appreciative of their diversity. Growing up in an environment where there is a great focus on the negative effects of bullying, Gen Z has a much lower tolerance for being called out for being different. For this group, written communication has become even further abbreviated than the texting language we have seen pop up from Gen Y. Say goodbye to OMG and LOL, and hello to expressive imagery such as emoticons and emoji. According to Sparks & Honey, Gen Z is accustomed to rapid-fire commentary, therefore they may not be the most precise communicators. This will need to be monitored by employers to ensure that the meaning of a message does not get too loosely translated. With a whopping eight-second attention span, this generation responds well to “snackable content”—content that is communicated in frequent, short bursts. Long company meetings or memos likely won’t result in your desired outcome. You’re better off sticking to brief messages that focus on one main point at a time. Bottom line: it’s important not to treat Generation Z like their millennial predecessors. They have very different experiences and references. By endeavoring to understand the quirks of Gen Z early on and working to accommodate them within your company, you’ll be better positioned to be competitive in the hiring and retention process and make good use of this promising workforce. iverse d tion is a gener ust be s m Thi e, so r . herefo and t ulture c pany ur com yo KRISTEN PEREZ is the FBS marketing and communications coordinator. You can contact her at [email protected]. Are You Integrating Mobile Marketing into Your Overall Marketing Strategy? Beyond Audio www.mysoundog.com [email protected] Sources: 1. Guest | Metrics April 2014 2. Burke, Casual Dining Restaurants Landscape Research 2014 SCORE | 2015 Issue 1 +1-231-922-3584 21 THE Increased focus to reach your customers with 1:1 interactions in real-time via mobile devices • In 2013, Modelo Especial draft depletions increased +35% vs. 20121. • Accounts selling Modelo Especial turn it over 40% faster than the average craft brand1. • Modelo Especial is the #2 Import beer in the US, selling +50M cases annually. • Average guest check with Modelo Especial is $61 vs $42 with Premium Domestic Lights2.