{"id":121630,"date":"2021-09-20T21:35:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-21T02:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/?p=121630"},"modified":"2025-05-14T13:33:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T18:33:10","slug":"how-four-generations-embraced-led-new-digital-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/case-studies\/how-four-generations-embraced-led-new-digital-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"How Four Generations Embraced & Led A New Digital Normal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 Sept. 20, 2021 \u2014 <\/strong>The fourth annual, international study of Gen Z, conducted by The Center for Generational Kinetics<\/a> and commissioned by WP Engine<\/a>, reveals new data on how Generation Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers adapted to digital in their own unique ways during the COVID-19 lockdowns. These ties to digital reveal insights for brands on how to reach these important audiences in different ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Embracing the new normal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Millennials and Gen Z are already a powerful economic force. With the resurgence of the economy and unprecedented spending, their influence grows every day\u2014and will continue to do so for decades to come. To win more share of wallet from Millennials today and Gen Z\u2019s $143 billion<\/a> spending power, companies will need to create new customer engagement experiences powered by responsive, modern, scalable businesses and technology. Business leaders who adjust their approach to match these new market realities will have a tremendous advantage in reaching their customers now and into the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding and winning Gen Z and Millennials now leads to winning every<\/em> other<\/em> generation, too. Failing to adapt to these influential trendsetters at this critical time eliminates two potent drivers of growth but also means you run the risk of losing existing customers, too. Recognizing the outsized impact and influence of Gen Z and Millennials as trendsetters is why it is critical for leaders to separate generational myth from truth about them as customers and then take the appropriate action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMissing from the conversation on how to understand and best serve consumers, clients, and marketplaces now is statistically accurate data that specifically uncovers how generations have changed and adapted their specific online behavior during the last year, including throughout the pandemic, and trends and behaviors that will shape the next 3-5 years following the recent surge into the digital world,\u201d said Jason Dorsey, President at The Center for Generational Kinetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLast year was memorable for a host of reasons, but one of the most significant is how the use of digital by generation has fundamentally changed,\u201d said Eric Jones, VP of Corporate Marketing at WP Engine. \u201cUnderstanding what makes each generation unique in their behavior online is the foundation for building the compelling, effective, and innovative digital experiences of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The empowerment of entrepreneurship<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gen Z has often been described as the most entrepreneurial generation ever. According to the study, a whopping 61% of Gen Z plan to start their own business. That\u2019s a striking difference between the one in nine Americans who are self-employed today according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entrepreneurial plans remain strong however, one interesting change from years past is the types of businesses they plan to start has changed. <\/strong>Gen Z has shifted away from tech (down 30% from 2019) toward entertainment (up 30% from 2019). Meanwhile, beauty and wellness make Gen Z\u2019s top 3 list for the first time in 2021, displacing retail (20% in 2019 to 12% in 2021). One area where tech remains strong is with Millennials who are now thinking about starting a business in technology more than twice as much compared to 2019 (10% in 2019 vs. 22% in 2021).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Harvard Business Review, 70% of teens are working entrepreneurial jobs like teaching math to younger students, editing videos for neighbors or selling items on platforms like Thredup or Depop. Through these activities they\u2019re learning valuable skills, setting them up to become tomorrow\u2019s innovators. Several other stats speak volumes about how Gen Z and Millenials are increasingly setting themselves up to truly take charge of their careers: <\/p>\n\n\n\n