The Employee Place (EMP) Industry Meet-Up, a premier event now in its fifth year, recently gathered at the CIBN Bankers Hall in Lagos, bringing together thought leaders to examine Generation Z’s impact on the professional landscape.
Esteemed speakers, including Joseph Onaolapo (Jay On-air), Makuochukwu Okafor-Obi, and Sheriff Adekoya, led discussions on pivotal themes such as consumerism, innovation, and the essence of trust in modern workplaces.
A significant aspect of the event was the presentation of a survey conducted with 1,000 professionals from diverse organizations. The survey aimed to unravel Generation Z’s influence on key workplace dynamics including consumerism, innovation, sustainability, and leadership. The study uncovered insightful data on how Generation Z integrates and shapes the professional environment.
Nduneche Ezurike, former Group Head Brand and Marketing Communication at Polaris Bank and the event’s convener, stressed the importance of understanding Generation Z as both a workforce and a consumer base. Insights from the survey indicated a notable portion of Generation Z professionals feeling empowered to contribute innovative ideas, signaling a shift towards more inclusive workplace cultures. However, entrenched traditional workplace norms emerged as notable barriers, with a significant number of respondents expressing resistance to change, particularly in aligning with Generation Z’s sustainability values and digital consumer preferences.
The survey underscored Generation Z’s role as catalysts for change, with findings showing a strong preference for digital consumption patterns and a call for workplaces to adapt to their sustainability and inclusivity expectations. Despite challenges, there is optimism regarding Generation Z’s leadership, particularly in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a majority of respondents recognizing their effectiveness in these areas.
Panel discussions further fueled the conversation, with speakers advocating for the embrace of Generation Z’s unique contributions to innovation and ethical practices in business. The lively engagement from attendees added a diverse range of perspectives to the discussions.
Ezurike expressed gratitude to CIBN for hosting the event, the panelists for their insightful contributions, survey participants for their invaluable input, and the audience for their active participation.