Using Gen Z Tools to Better Manage Your Business
Gen Z tools are widely used in a digital world. These young gen z people cannot imagine life without smartphones, tablets, and other modern gadgets. As you would expect, they rely on technology to communicate, shop, work, and do business.
Most Gen Zers are interested in new technologies and prioritize things like mobility, functionality, and ease of use. They also prefer online communication over direct contact and depend on their phones for just about everything, from watching videos to interacting with brands. Many of them got their first smartphone at age 12, reports YPulse.
As a business owner or entrepreneur, you can leverage Gen Z tools to work smarter and cut costs. Think of it as a way to expand your reach, interact with customers in real time, and streamline your operations.
For example, you can use a website builder for your small business without the need to know how to write code. Other Gen Z tools can increase productivity, facilitate remote work, automate tasks, or drive customer loyalty.
Not sure where to start? Here’s what you should know about the most popular Gen Z tools and how to use them to better manage your business.
Use the Right Gen Z Tools to Drive Innovation and Business Value
In today’s digital era, companies can no longer rely on pen and paper to plan things out.
Just think about how much goes into starting a business: you need to set smart goals, research the market, come up with a unique business name, develop an execution strategy, define your audience, and much more. Branding, marketing, sales, and media outreach all require technical know-how and specific skills, as well as access to the latest industry Gen Z tools.
Take the field of eCommerce, for example. Estimates show that more than 284.6 consumers will be shopping online by 2025. If you operate a physical store, you could cut costs and generate more revenue by switching to online sales. To do that, you’ll need a website builder, social media management Gen Z tools, payment processing apps, and customer relationship management software.
Gen Zers understand these aspects better than anyone else. After all, they are referred to as “digital natives” for a reason.
Young people grew up with technology at their fingertips and know when to use what to drive results. As an entrepreneur, you can experiment with Gen Z branding strategies to reach more customers, increase business value, and save time.
Let’s say you want to set up a small business website. One option is to hire a web developer and a web designer, but the costs can run into thousands of dollars. Expect to pay around $78,300 per year for a full-time employee or $12,000 to $150,000 when you work with an agency.
A faster and more affordable solution is to use low-code or no-code development (LC/NC) platforms.
For example, drag-and-drop website builders allow you to create fully functional sites with just a few clicks. Entrepreneurs can also use LC/NC Gen Z tools to build mobile apps, manage team workflows, or create graphics without writing code.
These technologies drive innovation, enabling small businesses to compete on a level playing field with the big brands. Depending on your needs, you may use project management Gen Z tools, customer relationship management software, cloud storage platforms, productivity apps, apps for your home office and more.
But with so many options available, how can you tell what Gen Z tools are right for your business? For starters, try the following apps and software programs to streamline your operations.
Productivity Gen Z Tools
Nearly one-third of Gen Zers prefer to work remotely, and many use productivity Gen Z tools to get things done faster and better. Think about Microsoft Office, one of the most popular options in its category.
Productivity Gen Z tools can streamline collaboration, reporting, task management, and other business activities. Some are designed to block distractions and improve your focus, while others can automate repetitive tasks or facilitate remote work.
Appointment scheduling software, for example, makes it easier to manage your calendar, book meetings with clients, and improve customer service. You can also use time management Gen Z tools to stay on top of your schedule and work more efficiently. Other productivity apps include word processing Gen Z tools, live chat, time trackers, and virtual whiteboards.
Project Management Gen Z Tools
Whether you’re a freelancer or a small business owner, you know what it feels like to juggle multiple projects. The more clients you have, the harder it gets to keep track of who does what and stay on top of deadlines.
Given these aspects, it makes sense to use the best project management app you can afford. Ideally, choose a platform with multiple membership plans and helpful features like:
- Project tracking
- Task automation
- Reporting capabilities
- Billing and invoicing tools
- Budgeting tools
- Collaboration tools
- Charts and graphs
- File sharing
- Backlog management
Zoho Projects, Kissflow, Wrike, and other project management Gen Z tools include a free plan with limited features. However, that may be more than enough for freelancers and startups.
Enterprise-grade apps usually involve a learning curve and might not be suitable for small companies. Your best bet is to choose an intuitive, easy-to-use tool that supports unlimited users and works with third-party apps, such as FreshBooks, Zapier, or Microsoft Teams.
Email Marketing Gen Z Tools
Gone are the days when marketers used spreadsheets to manage their email lists and track subscribers. In this digital age, companies rely on online Gen Z tools like Sender and Constant Contact to create and optimize their marketing emails.
For example, Sender offers four membership plans, including a free version that supports up to 2,500 subscribers. Users can automate their campaigns, create stunning newsletters, track email click-through rates, and segment their audiences with the click of a button.
Other Gen Z tools, such as SendPulse, come with drag-and-drop email editors, pre-built email templates, list management tools, and advanced reporting tools.
Another great choice is Wix, which boasts an intuitive email editor, ready-made templates, and data analytics. These features are available to any user with a Wix website.
Drag-and-Drop Website Builders
Speaking of Wix and other website builders, you can use these Gen Z tools to get your site up and running in minutes. Simply choose a template and customize it with your logo, pictures, and favorite fonts. It’s that easy.
As Forbes notes, low-code/no-code platforms can eliminate or reduce the need to hire web developers, resulting in lower costs. What’s more, these tools enable users to bring their products to the market faster while saving time and energy.
If, say, you plan to launch an online store, there’s no need to wait for weeks or months to get things done. A drag-and-drop website builder would allow you to set up your store within hours and start generating revenue. Plus, you can always go back and make changes as needed without having to call the pros.
Accounting Software
Last but not least, consider using accounting software to better manage your company’s assets, revenue, expenses, losses, and liabilities.
FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Zero, and other online accounting solutions can reduce human error, ensuring access to real-time, accurate financial data. What’s more, these Gen Z tools can automate payroll, expense management, accounts receivables, and other time-consuming operations.
Small business owners spend close to five hours per week managing their finances, reports QuickBooks. Just think about how long it takes to create and track invoices, manage payroll, and file your tax returns. Accounting software can streamline these tasks, allowing you to focus on the core aspects of your business.
For example, you may use accounting tools to set up recurring invoices. Go one step further and automate bank reconciliations, financial reporting, and tax compliance.
This approach can make it easier to match your books and bank statements, identify errors, and cut unnecessary expenses. Plus, you’ll be better able to anticipate future revenue and allocate resources when they are needed most.
Leverage Digital Technology to Grow Your Business
As an entrepreneur, you have a lot on your plate, which leaves little time to focus on business growth. Luckily, we live in an era driven by technological advances. Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to set up a website, reach out to customers, and work from anywhere.
For starters, assess your needs and decide whether you should use time-management tools, productivity tools, accounting software, or more advanced solutions, such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Take into account your business size and industry, the types of projects you work on, and the stage your company is at.
Most importantly, think about what you need help with. If you’re struggling to meet deadlines, it makes sense to use productivity Gen Z tools along with a robust project management system. A digital-driven business, on the other hand, may benefit from using the latest website builders and marketing tools.