The Side Hustle Economy: What Gen Z's Second Jobs Say About Corporate America
Gen Z often gets stereotyped as avocado toast obsessives and remote-work slackers. There's truth in there (let's admit it, the entitlement is real), but the economic disconnect at the executive level is a more significant issue. Instead of wondering if we're bingeing Netflix on company time, maybe consider how that employee affords a major city on a $45k salary. This isn't a generational war; it's a business challenge demanding fresh solutions.
Ditch the Labels, Embrace the Nuances
Each of us in Gen Z comes with unique experiences (although, our individual experiences only matter if they boost ROI... otherwise, they're just distractions). Yes, managing us can be tricky – we get that. But with our generation poised to make up 23% of the workforce by 2024, ignoring us isn't smart. The key isn't about deciphering millennial/Gen Z slang, but recognizing the leverage both sides have - from economic necessity (not always in Gen Z's favor) to how a single viral post can make or break a brand.
Ultimately, successful Gen Z management boils down to job satisfaction, performance-driven goals, and providing avenues for additional income streams, either within the company or allowing them to exist externally. Remember, we're not here to discredit your hard work on the career ladder. But the world has changed in the last 30 years. That tech whiz you teased in the '90s? Might be a Google engineer pulling $1.2 million annually right now.
Let's Talk Money: Comparing Cost of Living
Take a hard look at how the price of living has impacted Gen Z:
These numbers spell out the radically different landscape Gen Z has to navigate.
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The Gen Z Side Hustle Economy
Don't be shocked if your top-performing employee has a thriving Etsy shop or is a part-time trainer. The economic environment breeds ingenuity, and the pressures of social media lead us to think that portraying wealth will bring us happiness instead, we bear the the weight of addictions and a mental health crisis that previous generations didn't have to manage as outwardly. We're constantly finding ways to maximize output in a limited time. My hustle is this: I work a flexible, commission-only job – sometimes 25 hours a week, sometimes 70. My spending for business tools is $340/month because time is my most valuable asset, and I pay myself for time-saving activities that produce ROI (website redesign – $166/hr, personal training - $110/hr, etc.). I refuse to let external forces limit my income.
Corporate Innovation = Embracing the Gig Mindset
Can companies benefit from our side-hustle drive? Absolutely!
These micro-bonuses and in-house opportunities boost staff morale, cut costs, AND make us feel valued.
CEOs, Time to Make Your Move
This isn't about bashing previous generations or how a stale system disadvantages us. It is about finding strategies that embrace the reality of Gen Z, you tap into a well of economic need and fresh creative energy.
So, the question for C-Suite folk: Ready to get past the 'Gen Z Problem' and build solutions that deliver results?
Let me know your thoughts!
Owner at Simple Ads R Us
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