Technology and the elderly – a growing market
Posted On June 26, 2014
Older workers sometimes feel displaced by younger workers who are more tech-savvy, having grown up in a mobile-oriented world. But those same aging Boomers are creating business opportunity for technology companies. As this San Francisco Gate article points out, Boomers want to be using technology to make their lives better and more enjoyable…but they have different challenges with it than the younger generation of developers personally encounter. So savvy tech companies are turning to seniors as consultants in new technology development. It’s not rocket science – companies have been using focus groups to understand their target audiences for years. But… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Product Design
Snapshot of the generational gap: Humans of New York
Posted On June 24, 2014
Have you followed Humans of New York? Photographer Brandon Stanton takes portraits of random individuals and asks them a question or two. The answers appear at the photo captions. It’s utterly captivating art and social commentary. Every so often an image will strike a nerve with HONY followers as with this recent portrait. Or more accurately, the caption that accompanied the image. “I’m a little headstrong at work, which can get me into trouble with my manager. But if my way works just fine, why do I have to do things his way?” The generational gap in two sentences. The… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Generation Y / Millennials, Workplace
Part-time nation
Posted On June 19, 2014
For better or worse, the American workforce is increasingly focused on flexibility. Some workers want the flexibility to work on their own time, often in their own environments. Some want the flexibility to pursue personal passions outside of their 9-5 jobs. Some companies want the flexibility of hiring and firing at will, with minimal HR administration. Some want the financial flexibility of limiting employee benefits. No matter which side of the conversation you are on, there are serious conversations happening about flexibility in the workforce. In “Rise of the ‘flex’ economy,” Christian Science Monitor writer Simone Baribeau provides a 360-degree… Read More
Categories: Generation X, Generation Y / Millennials, Workplace
Is customer service a lost art form?
Posted On June 17, 2014
Much time is spent lamenting the work ethic of younger generations in the work force—they are disengaged, too attached to their social networks, not focused on the needs of their coworkers…they just don’t understand the way things work in the real world. And for years my argument has been you have to teach them. The same may be said of customer service. News stories and personal anecdotes tell a disturbing tale, especially in the professional services industry. Where Boomer and Mature workers valued and relied on face time and relationships, today’s workers value efficiency and technology. As a result, they… Read More
Categories: Generation Y / Millennials, Workplace
Nice group to be affiliated with.
Posted On June 16, 2014
I wasn’t aware until this morning after reading the article below that the audience for this conference last week managed on average $1 billion in retirement funds for their clients. Wow. I would have been much more nervous. But, as always, extraordinarily nice people. http://www.riabiz.com/a/4968982889103360/td-ameritrade-hosts-a-posh-billion-dollar-club-summit-at-a-seaside-ritz-carlton#.U55QxoAoqMw.twitter
Categories: Financial Services, Work
Waiting on the last row… Ready!
Posted On June 16, 2014
Quick change at the lectern means I have to have my notes, computer, dongle, and remote ready to go.
Categories: Uncategorized
Youngest Boomers initiated into AARP
Posted On June 12, 2014
We are almost halfway through 2014, which means that in six short months every member of the Boomer generation will have turned 50. Orange is the new black, 50 is the new 40. So when the membership cards arrive in their mailboxes, these new AARP recruits will be welcomed with promotions aimed at enticing them to enjoy their later years with deals that are anything but old. New benefits include concert ticket deals with Live Nation, among other travel and entertainment-oriented options. In a recent Associated Piece, and AARP spokesperson confirmed this is a shift from as recently as just… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Retirement, Succession Planning
Millennials march to a different beat, or is it different beats?
Posted On June 10, 2014
In a recent meeting, a high-level leader lamented the conundrum of managing the younger members of his team: “They want everything done so differently.” Same complaint, different person. But then he continued…“Each one of them wants to be dealt with differently. So I can’t have a way that I manage; I have to have a way that I manage him, a way that I manage her, and another way that I manage the next person. It’s exhausting.” And it can be. There are some similarities that cross personalities, and leaders certainly have the right to lay down some ground rules,… Read More
Categories: Generation Y / Millennials, Work, Workplace