Over the past two years, TomorrowZone has had the privilege of interviewing thought leaders from the Equipment Finance industry and beyond regarding the human side of innovation.
Thought Diversity was a recurring theme across our conversations.
It can be so easy to get stuck in the status quo and stepping out of our comfort zone to make sure new and diverse voices are being added to the table, whether around age, ethnicity, gender, etc. is crucial to fostering an environment for innovation. If we want a glimpse of the future of work, bringing Gen Z into the conversation is essential.
Marti Grimminck, is the visionary behind International Connector. Her groundbreaking firm is rewriting the playbook for the future of work, engaging a global network of Gen Z leaders across 190+ countries. They’re injecting fresh Gen Z insights into corporate giants like Microsoft, IBM, Google, and even the country of Canada, reshaping work, education, and beyond.
Grimminck shared an insight from one of her International Connector network students who wisely noted, “No math genius was created just because of a calculator.” Our youth recognize that technology, while advanced, is only one part of the equation. They see the value and crucial importance of humans, and Grimminck views their outlook as mature and impressive, understanding the nuances involved.
TomorrowZone highly values thought diversity and actively strives to bring new and diverse voices to the table in our collaboratons. Grimminck’s work with Gen Z is remarkable. She noted, “The Gen Z perspective on generative AI is often overlooked, and it’s crucial to understand. First and foremost, what’s striking is that most Gen Z individuals are approaching generative AI with excitement and optimism. When surveyed about their outlook on AI, fear is a minority response, with only a small percentage expressing apprehension. They are pushing against the fear narrative they’re hearing from other generations. It’s not that they don’t recognize there will be serious problems, but fear wasn’t their primary frame. They acknowledge the challenges but are primarily focused on the potential opportunities.”
In 2023, TomorrowZone hosted and facilitated numerous industry-level discussions around AI. While many in the equipment finance may be overly apprehensive about AI, hearing from a younger generation that has never known anything else brings a fresh and invigorating perspective. Fresh perspective on technology is one of many areas where we can learn from our youth.
According to Grimminck, “their notion of socializing has evolved too. On Friday or Saturday nights, you’ll often find young individuals, especially young men, playing video games in the comfort of their homes. To them, this is a form of socializing. Similarly, they might be physically next to each other yet choose to communicate through texting. While I might not perceive it as socializing, they do, and we should respect that. The key here is that they uniquely interpret words and interactions. It’s how they connect with their peers and perceive the world. Technology is the lens through which they experience life, forming strong relationships with people they may have never met. This mindset shift is vital as we develop AI to understand and accommodate these different perspectives.” Suppose we want this industry to grow and continue. In that case, it is imperative that we listen to and engage the next generation, their perspectives, and nuances.
Generational diversity is only one of many paths to thought diversity, however. Reid Raykovich, CEO of the CLFP Foundation, has a bold vision. Through it’s certification program, The CLFP Foundation is building a better commercial equipment leasing and finance industry by helping its individuals achieve exceptional standards of professional conduct and technical expertise. Raykovich noted in our interview, “I would like to walk into industry conferences and see an entirely different make-up. I am committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in our industry. It is concerning to me that the make-up of industry conference attendees does not reflect the diversity of our country or industry. I recall attending conferences with few women and young professionals like me.” Ensuring we cultivate thought diversity in our innovation conversations and initiatives takes intentionality and is a key to ongoing success.
Building a talent pipeline is key to engaging a diverse workforce. Rob Warland, Executive Director of createMpls, is practicing this intentionality with their groundbreaking STEM programs for Minneapolis middle and high school students. Warland said, “We want to see more diversity in the future workforce. We focus on females and students of color, typically underrepresented in technology. Upskilling and reskilling are important now. But early exposure is also important; it’s a long game.” Warland and createMpls are preparing young women and students of color to be next-gen leaders. TomorrowZone is proud to support their efforts.
We are so grateful for the insights and experiences shared by these generous and visionary leaders. It’s crystal clear that the heart of true innovation beats not in the latest gadgetry, but in the pulse of human ingenuity and curiosity. At TomorrowZone, we’re not just observers of this dynamic; we’re active participants, facilitators, and catalysts, igniting the spark of change in the Equipment Finance industry and beyond. Reach out to TomorrowZone today, and let’s turn your vision into a vibrant reality. The future is bright, and it starts with a conversation. Let’s talk.
