#210 Gen Z in Finance: Why Onboarding and Development Programs Must Evolve to Retain Top Talent with Marlo Lyons

As the workforce continues to evolve, the emergence of Generation Z (Gen Z) has brought about a significant shift in the expectations and priorities of young professionals. In the finance industry, where the need for skilled and engaged talent is paramount, understanding and adapting to the unique characteristics of Gen Z has become a critical imperative for organizations. This podcast episode with Marlo Lyons, a C-Suite Coach and HR Business Partner, delves into the nuances of managing and retaining Gen Z employees, highlighting the importance of revamping onboarding and development programs to meet their evolving needs.

The discussion underscores the importance of recognizing the distinct values and preferences of Gen Z, who place a strong emphasis on work-life balance, corporate social responsibility, and continuous learning and growth. As finance leaders grapple with the challenge of attracting and retaining top talent, this episode provides valuable insights into the strategies and approaches that can help organizations stay ahead of the curve and foster a thriving, engaged workforce.

Key topics covered: 

• Understanding the characteristics of Gen Z and their focus on work-life balance, corporate responsibility, and continuous learning
• Challenges faced by older generations in managing and communicating effectively with Gen Z employees
• The need to shift the interview process from competency-based to needs-based to better understand and accommodate Gen Z’s aspirations
• The role of technology and Gen Z’s tech-savvy nature in driving innovation and transformation within finance organizations
• The importance of aligning corporate mission, values, and sustainability efforts with the expectations of Gen Z
• The significance of transparent communication, even when discussing confidential information, to build trust and engagement
• The impact of remote work and flexible arrangements on fostering creativity and work-life balance for Gen Z

Links

• Marlo Lyons on LinkedIn
• Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn
• GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

• 0:01:04 – Marlo Lyons discusses the characteristics of Gen Z and their focus on work-life balance
• 0:02:49 – Challenges faced by older generations in managing and communicating with Gen Z employees
• 0:06:21 – The need to shift the interview process to better understand and accommodate Gen Z’s aspirations
• 0:07:10 – The role of technology and Gen Z’s tech-savvy nature in driving innovation and transformation
• 0:11:44 – The importance of aligning corporate mission, values, and sustainability efforts with Gen Z’s expectations
• 0:16:09 – The significance of transparent communication, even when discussing confidential information
• 0:22:23 – The impact of remote work and flexible arrangements on fostering creativity and work-life balance for Gen Z

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