ROBYN BORER AND JENNA CLEMISHAW Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance
Is your agency a source of inspiration? New hires have new expectations Change is inevitable as the new generations enter the workforce. However, no one could have predicted that a global pandemic would catapult us into a new era of work so quickly. Prior to the pandemic, millennials (those born between 1981 to 1996) and Gen Z (born after 1996) were establishing their careers and already pushing for culture shifts in the workplace—they are the generations that grew up with the internet, digital information at their fingertips and an increasingly global worldview. As we start to find a way forward after the tumultuous last few years, we’re seeing major lasting shifts in the ways that we work. Now is the time for agents to re-examine their workplace practices to align with the wants and needs of the next generation of employees. Now that this next generation of insurance leaders have experienced what technology can do for the workplace, they’re ready to fully embrace digital along with a few other important culture shifts. Five key areas for agency leaders to consider as we usher in this new era of work are talent diversity, workplace flexibility, creating meaningful work, a caring workplace and development opportunities.
Agency owners must be forward-thinking to thrive into the future by embracing this new generation and creating an agency culture that will attract and retain them for years to come.
Embrace diversity, new talent Now more than ever, embracing diversity is critical to an agency’s ability to attract and retain talent of all ages. Millennials and Gen Z especially value and increasingly expect diversity in the workplace. According to Pew, Gen Z is more diverse than previous generations, and both millennials and Gen Z view societal changes as a good thing.1 And, with nearly 1-in-4 agency hires last year being from Gen Z,2 this new generation already is making its mark on the workplace. To bring in fresh talent, you must look beyond the list of skills found on a resume. By doing so, you can open the pathway for a more diverse candidate pool. The right talent can come from anywhere—a great employee is one who is engaged with the agency. He or she will have the right mix of mindset and skillset to build upon the foundation of an agency and lead it into the future.
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