:i think, therefore i am
I THINK,
THEREFORE
I AM
THE TERM "DIGITAL NATIVE" was coined by Marc Prensky in 2001 to describe a generation
who grew up in front of their computer screens. Prensky described them as "native speakers of
the digital language". Characteristically born later than 1980, digital natives think and process
information differently. They are used to receiving information fast, they like to multi-task and they
thrive on instant gratification.
Digital natives are also "millennials" who have been characterized by short attentions spans,
impatience and a very "me-first" orientation.
So, as corporations head into the digital unknown, embracing digital natives can be a challenging
endeavor. Equal measures of frustration ensue; from senior execs that millennials don't understand
the nuances of business and vice versa that the pace of change is not rapid enough.
In an increasingly digital first world, it is critical that corporations embrace a digital native attitude.
But, while we are proponents of embracing millenials, more important is that every person in the
corporation can see through the lens of a digital native. Whether to use technology is no longer the
question – we need to ask ourselves how to use it to become better, wiser business people. The agility
afforded by a fluent digital thinker will mean that these are the people who are going to help you
innovate and take your business to the next level.
42 | www.h e rma gaz i n e . c o. n z
