TECH TRENDS
What is Generation Novel ?
As the world develops , new generations emerge , such as Generation Novel . Jacob Chacko , Regional Director – Middle East , Saudi & South Africa at Aruba , a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company , tells us about Gen N and their impact on digital experiences .
The impact of the pandemic might have varied widely between individuals but a few certain aspects of largely been universal – lockdown , isolation and social distancing . Such sudden and significant changes to our daily lives have led to the emergence of a particular cohort of employees , Generation Novel ( Gen N ) who all share a specific set of traits as a result of these shared experiences .
Coined by digital anthropologist , Brian Solis , Gen N describes a cross-generation subset of people who ’ ve come to thrive on digital-first experiences , while also placing a greater value on personalisation , customisation and transparency . However , above all else , they understand , use and demand more from technology than previous
GEN N DESCRIBES A CROSS- GENERATION SUBSET OF PEOPLE WHO ’ VE COME TO THRIVE ON DIGITAL-FIRST EXPERIENCES , WHILE ALSO PLACING A GREATER VALUE ON PERSONALISATION , CUSTOMISATION AND TRANSPARENCY .
cohorts – be this at home or work . Aruba ’ s recent report into Gen N found that 85 % of hybrid workers identify with Gen N traits .
So , after spending years grappling with the needs of Gen X and Gen Y , employers now have a whole new generation to come to terms with in the post-pandemic world .
For IT and tech teams , these new attitudes and behaviours are changing technology needs across their organisations . However , Aruba ’ s research found that worryingly this new generation also opens their organisations up to new risks , especially if their workplace expectations go unmet .
New needs of an emerging workforce
From the way Gen N purchases products to how they work with colleagues , their preferences have been shaped by the pandemic . Gen N is more comfortable with technology , using it now more than ever .
With this increased use has also come increased confidence , with 75 % considering themselves ‘ digitally savvy ’. Gen N is also driving new demand for personalisation , as they increasingly feel it is important to be able to customise their workplace tech to suit individual preferences .
Concern about mental health is another characteristic of Gen N . Although our collective use of technology , be this at work or personally , has increased , the cohort is mindful not to let devices dominate their lives . Gen N believes employers have a responsibility to do so too – 80 % of respondents told us that they feel their employer must maintain policies that actively encourage healthy technology use .
Currently , though , many hybrid workers feel their organisations are falling short . Nearly half ( 48 %) told us that their employers ’ current policies do not support good mental health .
The rise of risky behaviour
As technology leaders decide how to plan and implement their hybrid workplace , it ’ s critical to think through the risks this new generation will bring if its emerging expectations and behaviours continue to go unmet .
Gen N is vocal , they know what they want . So , if they feel their needs aren ’ t being met , they will demand it from managers . Employers need
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