How Digital Natives are Influencing the Workplace Design

Nearly half of workers already identify as digital natives, and by 2025, that proportion will rise to 75%. Technology will undoubtedly play a major role in the future of the digital workplace, but people’s interactions with that technology will matter most. The so-called “digital natives” generation has high expectations for the adoption of cutting-edge technology in the workplace. Businesses that do not support workplace modernization will certainly lag behind.

The Rise of Digital Natives at the Workplace

The American author and speaker Marc Prensky, who also came up with the phrase “digital immigrant,” first introduced the word “digital native” in 2001. Young individuals in today’s society who have grown up surrounded by the Internet, digital media, mobile communications devices, and video games are referred to as “digital natives” by Marc Prensky. Digital natives process and interact with the world around them via a technology-first perspective, making them different from generations that have had to integrate as significant changes have occurred over the years. This sets them apart from millennials and generations who came before them.

The elder generation of digital immigrants is doing its best to acclimate to this new environment, much like learning a second language. So it makes sense that their technological experiences and expectations would vary, both from one another and from Gen Z in particular. Due to the widely different types of early learning experiences between the two groups, there may be important disparities in the way their brains are built.

When it comes to creating experiences, even at work, these variations in how we think (and potentially how our brains are organized) are important. Businesses that do not support workplace modernization catering to these differences will certainly lag behind.

The need for Change

It’s especially important to promote “phygital” or multichannel workplace experiences to draw in younger talent. Here are five ideas for improving the digital natives’ experience at work:

• A lively, tech-enabled workplace culture will be cultivated with the aid of more virtual projects.
• Provide employees with both online and offline activities, such as health and fitness programs.
• The employee experience will eventually be enhanced by a willingness to experiment with emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and intelligent automation.
• Digital natives are capable of using any device, at any time, and anywhere. Today’s workers place a high value on mobility, therefore businesses must build their technology solutions accordingly.
• Create accessible and open forums for debate, include them into routine tasks, and provide clear guidelines for how to utilize this technology.