Generation change in the craft business

Young versus old? Why the generational change in the skilled crafts sector must also be seen as an opportunity!

Digitization has been on everyone’s lips for a long time – and will soon be in all skilled crafts businesses as well. Because sooner or later, the industry will be taken over and reformed by the so-called “digital natives”. Digital approaches are completely natural for the young generation taken for granted. This is enough for skilled craftsmen to adapt to demographic change as quickly as possible.

Who are the digital natives – who are the digital immigrants?

Changes in demographic trends mean that the active part of society is becoming increasingly digital in its actions. The age structure is changing rapidly, and those who grew up with information technologies and the Internet from childhood now make up over fifty percent of the active population.

Those who have grown up in the digital world can be described as “digital natives.” The title “digital natives” resonates readily – they are familiar with digital media and feel comfortable with them at home. “Digital natives” use the digital as a tool, because they have learned to use it to their advantage and thus to facilitate processes.

For them, the use of digital technologies forms a logical basis; after all, they don’t know the world without it.

“Digital immigrants” are all those born before 1980. Today, they still make up the majority of middle and upper management positions but have had to learn how to use digital technologies with a little more effort.

Many of them still prefer to work analog and feel much more secure and comfortable in the physical world.

Demographic change won’t wait – jump on the bandwagon or stand still? Digital adults will continue to take over the labor market over the coming years. Digital infrastructure will form the basis of their operations and lead to time efficiency and result optimization. At this point at the latest, there will no longer be any way around digitization. It would therefore be better to take care of digital progress in one’s own business in good time in order to remain competitive. Incidentally, this is also a good way to remain attractive to young trainees.

It would therefore be desirable to learn from each other and create a cross-age understanding. Long-standing industry experience on the part of the older generation and digital affinity on the part of the younger generation do not have to be mutually exclusive. Quite the opposite- the diversity of strengths can be ideally combined and should be seen as an opportunity.

For an economically successful business, it is becoming more and more important that software for craftsmen or the construction industry maps the operational processes faster, more effectively, and more transparently. The software for craftsmen from Craftcloud offers optimal user comfort, also for small businesses.

Get in touch with us! Together we will develop the perfect software – solution for your craft business!

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