Gen X – a financial conundrum
Posted On September 30, 2014
For years we’ve been talking about how Gen X is going to be the first generation that is not expected to be better off that its parents. Sometimes Gen X is given a slightly better chance and that dubious honor is bestowed on the Millennials. Either way, the trickle down economics don’t seem to be happening past the Boomers. Which is why the latest research from the Pew Charitable Trust I so intriguing. As reported in The Washington Post, a new study shows that Gen X is actually making more (adjusted to 2011 dollars) than Boomers did at the same… Read More
Categories: Financial Services, Generation X, Wealth
Is an ethics course in order for the Millennials?
Posted On September 25, 2014
The workplace cliché of the boss who makes the young staffers do all the work and then takes all the credit may be meeting its match. A new study by marketing firm DDB found that 27 percent of Millennials had taken credit for someone else’s work. And that’s just the ones who would own it. Comparatively, 15 percent and 5 percent of Xers and Boomers, respectively, admitted to the same. So what’s driving this seeming underhanded behavior? And how does this reconcile with a group that we’ve called social and altruistic? According to the survey authors, it’s the old dollar… Read More
Categories: Generation Y / Millennials, Work, Workplace
American Masters: The Boomers List – tune in Tuesday
Posted On September 22, 2014
A departure from my typical blogging, to encourage you to watch the premiere of the PBS documentary “American Masters: The Boomers List” tomorrow night (Sept. 23). Or at least set your DVR. The film showcases 19 iconic boomers – one born every year of the generation – and promises to provide an interesting perspective on one of the most talked about generations ever. Then again, getting the Baby Boomers to talk about themselves is never difficult. View the trailer here and check your local listings for times. Then come back here and tell me what you thought.
Categories: Baby Boomers, Uncategorized
Retirement across the generations: Outlooks and warnings
Posted On September 11, 2014
It’s generally accepted that individuals will need retirement savings of roughly 16 times their pre-retirement salary, and that social security will cover only 4 times salary at most. It is also generally understood that most individuals cannot count on employer-defined plans to fund that missing 11 times salary – but how much is very different by generation. An Aon Hewitt study reported in Benefits Quarterly predicts that Boomers will be responsible for generating roughly 6.3 times salary out of their own savings while Millennials are faced with a daunting 10.5 times salary gap. The upside, of course, is that Millennials… Read More
Categories: Financial Services, Generation Y / Millennials, Retirement, Workplace
A word about stereotypes
Posted On September 9, 2014
In a recent discussion about generational differences in the workforce an employee was skeptical of the stereotypes being applied to his generation. “I’m a (generation),” he said, “and I’ve never thought like that, and I don’t feel like my peers do either.” I’m purposely not sharing his generation because, it has happened for years and with every generation. Though, right now, the Millennials are most likely to be singing “but not me” as they are the current focus of the most intense scrutiny. This person, or group of people, exists in every single large workshop. The vocal anomaly who refuses… Read More
Categories: Generations
Advisors: May the odds be ever in your favor
Posted On September 4, 2014
For every two retiring financial advisors, only one is joining the ranks. And despite the rise of e-trading and self-directed investing, that ratio is not for a lack of jobs. Young professionals with financial degrees are simply choosing other career paths. I’ve written about this hot topic multiple times, but am always interested in others’ perspectives. Cyrhil Tuohy wrote an article that I thought brought an interesting twist to the conversation. In his piece for InsuranceNewsNet.com,Wanted: Financial Advisors For Generation X Tuohy brings together the dearth of younger advisors with burgeoning need from Generation X – the generation next in… Read More
Categories: Financial Services
The Cool Part of this Job
Posted On September 3, 2014
Can anyone guess why there are so many more young people in this section of Canada? The grey background reflects the entire Canadian population. The bars reflect the specific area discussed in the slide. Big discrepancy here – why? Let me know if you can figure it out and I’ll send you the book of your choice of mine. Cam
Categories: Workplace
How are brands adjusting to new generations?
Posted On September 2, 2014
Much of my work consists of helping people connect. Whether it is businesses with consumers or employers with employees, the underlying need is for individuals or groups to find a common ground for authentic communication. Sometimes, however, the conversation goes meta and we’re talking about how a brand can make that connection to the individual. It’s growing beyond human relationships to marketing, and the bias a generation can bring to how they receive that marketing. This article in Canada’s Globe and Mail discusses how Generation Y may (or may not) change branding. It’s an interesting dialogue with a marketing executive… Read More
Categories: Advertising, Product Design