How Millennials and Gen Z Drive Real Results for Business Innovation

As businesses encounter new challenges, younger generations are leading the way into the future. Their creativity drives innovation and growth, providing new solutions when traditional methods fall short.

At MindSumo, we help organizations in various industries access the creative energy of over 1.5 million Millennial and Gen Z problem-solvers worldwide. Their contributions enable businesses to find new paths to success in a time full of challenges and opportunities.

Why Millennial and Gen Z Solvers Matter

Millennials and Gen Z are changing the way businesses think about the future. To stay competitive, companies need to understand these shifts and adapt their strategies to meet the values and goals of these generations. A few key points to consider:

• Deloitte’s 2024 report reveals that these generations value authenticity, inclusivity, and meaningful work, seeking brands that are committed to sustainability and making a positive community impact.
• The 2024 Randstad Workmonitor study highlights Gen Z’s preference for AI tools and other advanced technology, with 34% of Gen Z and 25% of Millennials using AI for work-related tasks on a weekly basis.
• A 2024 New York Post survey indicates that younger generations are more inclined toward entrepreneurship than their parents and grandparents. Specifically, 39% of millennials and 36% of Gen Z consider themselves entrepreneurs, reflecting a shift in career aspirations.

The Value of Connecting Organizations With Gen Z and Millennial Innovators

Understanding and embracing the perspectives of Millennials and Gen Z is essential for businesses to stay relevant. MindSumo helps companies use these insights to create innovative solutions that meet today’s market needs and set them up for future success.

Let’s take a closer look at how MindSumo taps into the values of these generations to help companies achieve meaningful results.

1. Innovation Through Inclusion

As mentioned earlier, Millennial and Gen Z solvers care deeply about diversity and inclusion, values that influence their purchasing decisions and brand loyalty. Deloitte’s report shows that Gen Z, in particular, is attracted to brands that focus on inclusivity, especially in the CPG and retail industries.

MindSumo helps companies build creative solutions that focus on inclusive products and messaging. Through our platform, Millennial and Gen Z solvers have shared ideas for developing sustainable and diverse products that appeal to younger audiences. They’ve also helped design strategies to improve customer experiences with personalized, community-driven ideas—solutions that build stronger connections with brands and increase engagement.

2. Tech-Driven Solutions That Meet Digital Expectations

Today’s young people have grown up surrounded by technology. According to Randstad’s Workmonitor study, Gen Z prefers work environments that provide the latest technology and opportunities to enhance their tech skills. This makes them well-suited for projects involving AI, data analysis, and other digital innovations.

At MindSumo, we connect companies from various industries with tech-savvy young people who want to be on the cutting edge. Our solvers have contributed to successful projects, such as creating digital experiences that resonate with their generation for top companies like Amazon and Meta.

3. Entrepreneurial Spirit That Ensures Success

Millennials and Gen Z thrive in environments that blend teamwork and entrepreneurial drive. They are good at working on their own while also contributing to the success of the group. At MindSumo, our solvers share their ideas while being part of a community that encourages learning, exchanging insights, and informal collaboration.

Working independently or as part of a team, our solvers bring fresh ideas and knowledge to the table. With the right blend of motivation and creativity, they help solve challenges for our clients, like improving marketing strategies, creating new products, and boosting customer engagement.

Real-World Results Across Industries: Our Millennial and Gen Z Solvers in Action

What’s so great about our community of MindSumo solvers is that they’ve achieved results across a variety of industries. Here are just a few examples of what they’ve been able to accomplish.

1. Retail and CPG Solutions

In retail and CPG, MindSumo solvers deliver innovative strategies aimed at creating more personalized, inclusive shopping experiences. For example, they’ve developed ideas for new product lines, including for this Fortune 500 CPG company. They’ve also created social-first engagement strategies to connect with younger audiences, among other exciting initiatives. These solutions have helped retail and CPG companies stay competitive in a fast-changing market.

2. Financial Innovation

Banking and financial institutions, including those on the Fortune 500, have partnered with MindSumo solvers to gather fresh ideas for improving customer experiences. For instance, solvers have helped make mobile banking apps better, simplified online services, and created financial products that are more user-friendly for younger generations.

3. Digital Marketing and Technology Strategies

In creative fields, MindSumo solvers bring new ideas to digital marketing and technology strategies, especially when reaching younger audiences. Their insights help brands go beyond surface-level trends and create real, meaningful connections with Gen Z and Millennial consumers.

These collaborations are changing everything from social media campaigns to thought leadership content. Using different perspectives helps brands stay relevant and build lasting relationships in a crowded market.

Drive Innovation for Your Organization With MindSumo

Millennial and Gen Z solvers help businesses in consumer packaged goods, pharmaceuticals, retail, manufacturing, and many other industries stay competitive and deliver meaningful results through open innovation. Are you ready to get started?

Simply fill out this form with your challenge topic ideas, and our team will create a mock-up for review. Share your company’s details and goals (we’ll help you refine them), and you’ll receive valuable ideas and insights to help you craft a plan for incorporating open innovation into your initiatives.

If you’d like to brainstorm ways to bring open innovation into your business, we’re ready to help. Let’s schedule a time to discuss what MindSumo’s open innovation solutions can do for you.