GENERATION Z

I spend my time advising clients about talent management and how they can best harness the benefits of diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity to drive a positive corporate culture that maximises staff potential and optimal business outcomes.

Inevitably, this feeds into broader discussions about the future of work and workplace trends.

Clients invest a lot of time and effort into talent management strategies and workforce planning.

And there's no denying the importance of Generation Z to the workplace.

Colloquially known as 'Zoomers', Generation Z follow hot on the heels of Millennials and I have high hopes of Zoomers, a cohort that has had to contend with a unique mix of challenges:

?? The climate crisis

?? Ongoing wars

?? A global pandemic

?? Disrupted, online learning

And now they are entering the workplace.

Forecasts indicate that Zoomers will make up 27% of the workforce by 2025.

So why do I have such high hopes for this generation?

? They are the most diverse in history

? They are activist-minded

? They are not happy with the way things are

? They are determined to improve things

And because of this, I believe that Zoomers hold a lot of power to drive workplace culture and change corporate culture for the better.

But what are your thoughts on Zoomers?

How do you suggest that we harness the potential of this generation?

I would welcome your thoughts in the comments section below!

SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOLS WORK EXPERIENCE FOR ALL CAMPAIGN

??Have you heard about?Speakers for Schools ' Work Experience For All campaign?

I have been a volunteer for the charity for almost 10 years both as a volunteer speaker and an ambassador for this important work experience campaign.

The charity focuses on improving social mobility by providing opportunities for state school students across the UK.

Research has consistently shown that there is a direct link between quality work experience and other positive outcomes for students including:

???? increased confidence

???? improved employability

???? higher salaries......

....and more.

I recently interviewed?Elnaz Kashef, Ph.D ?and?Funbi Akande ?(both of Speakers for Schools) live on LinkedIn to highlight this important campaign.

Click on the link below to watch the recording of our live discussion!

https://lnkd.in/e5veSunS

VIRTUAL WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR UK SCHOOL STUDENTS

What do all these organisations have in common?

???DHL

???NHS England

???Diaceutics PLC

???Reed Smith LLP

???Jacobs

???Marriott International

???Tesco

???Publicis

All are offering online work experience opportunities to school students through leading social mobility charity?Speakers for Schools .

?? Click on the link below to find out more about these great opportunities! ??

SHOULD LAW BE TAUGHT AS A CORE SUBJECT IN SCHOOLS?

I recently attended an event hosted by global law firm, Covington & Burling.

I. Stephanie Boyce (immediate past president of the Law Society of England and Wales) delivered a keynote speech about the importance of social mobility in the legal profession.

And one of Stephanie's recommendations is that law becomes a core subject that is taught to young people in schools alongside English and Maths.

There is tremendous merit in this argument given how law touches every facet of our lives.

Ignorance of the law is never a defence so being aware of the legal framework is essential, added to which is the fact that the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is just 10.

What are your views on adding law to the school curriculum?

CAREER DEFINING CHOICES

?? What is the most career defining choice that you have ever made?

I am in the process of delivering a range of?Korn Ferry ?'s innovative change programmes to clients.

One of the most life changing is the Power of Choice, a talent development programme tailored to underrepresented talent and their unique personal and workplace experiences.

And I'm delighted that the programme can be specifically tailored to benefit a Gen Z cohort.

The Power of Choice has really had me reflecting on my own career choices.......

??? Starting my career as a corporate lawyer in private practice.

??? Making a move into senior leadership within the global pharmaceutical industry at?Roche .

??? Transitioning to a partnership role delivering diversity, equity and inclusion solutions at Korn Ferry.

Our choices appear seamless when written down yet each of them tell their own story.

??What is the most career defining choice that you have ever made?

???????? Please share in the comments section below!

PODCAST SPOTLIGHT

What insights can we gain from Generation Z?

I had a great conversation with four Zoomers for The Power of Privilege and Allyship podcast - Delaney Jones, Eloise Mayer, Caius Datt and my son Max Abimbola.

Have a listen to our conversation and let me have your thoughts!

That brings me to the end of the February edition of?The Diversity Accelerator!

If you have enjoyed this newsletter, please?subscribe?and?share?it widely across your LinkedIn network.

Thank you for your support. ??

________________________________

ABOUT PROFESSOR FUNKE ABIMBOLA MBE

Professor Funke Abimbola is a London-based Partner at?Korn Ferry,?a global organisational consulting firm that unlocks the potential of organisations through people.

Her focus is on providing corporate clients across the EMEA region with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consulting services.

She is a multi-award-winning Corporate Lawyer, global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Leader, C-suite and healthcare executive, BBC commentator, Non-Executive Director, Public Speaker, and podcast host.?

Most importantly, she is the proud mother of a 20 year old son and future software engineer studying computer science at university.

She was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by HRH Queen Elizabeth II for services to diversity and young people in the 2017 birthday honours list.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @Champ1Diversity

Instagram: @professorabimbola