The Genz vs Millenials: A Generational Analysis

Millennials aged 25-41 hate the weird "me IRL" Generation Z humor. GenZ, recently born between 1997 and 2012, cringes over their predecessors' overly formal workaholic attitude.

Both generations have seen perpetually different scenarios, significantly affecting their social media behavior and work-life patterns. But how does that help us in analyzing their marketing needs? Or are there any key points we should consider while hiring any of them?

Let’s stack the facts up to understand both of them a bit better in the following aspects:

• Social media preferences of both the generations
• Differences in their social media behavior
• Collective drives of both the generations
• Changes in workplace expectations
• Implementing dynamism for the upcoming generations

1. Who uses what more?

Source: Pew Research Centre

Generation Y has more activity on Facebook as it finds their comfort since their teenage days. Unsurprisingly, GenZ inclines toward Instagram, Snapchat (and TikTok, worldwide) due to their quirky fast content delivery system.

However, YouTube being a completely different type of platform, both have almost the same number of users.

We see more LinkedIn users among millennials because they all have a separate professional life already established. On the other hand, GenZ is still in their very early years of career and still pursuing studies, so we may expect a demographical change in LinkedIn users in the coming years.

Note that

2. How do they behave on social media?

• Millennial outperforms GenZ in attention span

Zoomers were introduced to faster data speed and quick content from the very start of their life. As a result, they offer you just 8 seconds of attention (which is even lesser on Reels and Shorts), while Millennials would give you their 12 whole seconds! And even though it seems like GenY is very old now, remember that they are the best generation to adapt to technological changes.

• Catchy audiovisual content takes over descriptive emails

Millennials are the ones initially exposed to emails, newsletters, etc. In their early days, their primary source for the information has been paper-based magazines and books. As a result, they are more accustomed to reading longer material than GenZ.

On the contrary, GenZ had search engines like google on their hands all the time; there were so many options.

3. Both the generations have different collective concerns

While both are sensitive toward individuality, keep a difference in mind in targeted social media marketing and workplace management:

GenZ is very concerned about the climate and environmental changes, but Millennial have always wanted a better social structure.

This does not seem as relevant at first, but as you look closely, this tells us a lot about their behavior as consumers and employees.

For example, if you want zoomers to buy from you, show how Eco-friendly your products/methods are. Implement a no-plastic policy in your company or promote the local culture. These little things would make them feel more connected to you in the longer run.

Millennials want to be 'woke', so they would work with you to contribute towards a more significant cause.

These little things would make them feel more connected to you in the longer run.

Apart from all this, both generations are highly concerned about personal data and social media threats regarding digital security and privacy. If, while advertising to them, they sense some privacy invasion, all the other marketing strategies used are gone waste. Unfortunately, especially in Indian workspaces, they both have responded negatively to the employer's stand regarding the mental health care of employees.

4. GenZ wants changes, and their seniors (Millennials) are ready for that!

Generation Z put more weight on skillset than on dressing up formally (they would still want to look classy, though). They admire flexibility while working. They would also prefer having other job benefits like employee insurance and personal growth in their careers, although this might change as younger people enter the field every year.

As for millennials, they have run after higher pay, working with great people, and most importantly job security, even if it meant sacrificing a bit on personal lives. For just having to grow up with what they were given, they got molded a certain way.

This does not imply rigidity; Millennials began implementing creative ideas in traditional work systems, which continues even now. Millennial bosses, being aware of the future involving a vast amount of Generation Z, have started to make the changes that GenZs want; hiring project-based freelancers, engaging the employees in extra-work fun activities, semi-formal environment, and openness to creative ideas.

This brings us to the next point:

5. Disruptive business model to accommodate the upcoming GenZ

GenZ enters as a big potential target market and our future major employee base. But as they are still in the process, we have to be open to frequent changes and update ourselves from time to time.

Hence, Millennials show a positive dynamism in welcoming the GenZ as they are occupying the higher managerial positions.

GenZ has a creative mindset and an entrepreneurial approach, two crucial things for any company’s growth today. As we plan on getting more personal space, both on social media and in workplaces, GenZ will flourish in their personal growth and the company’s visions in the days to come.

Thanks for being part of this article!

Keep Reading: Gen Z: How the new generation changed the classic work model for better

Have questions or feedback? Let us know.