You have to appreciate the irony of a totally younger generation communication tool being used to explain an older generation. Check out this info graphic/comic that attempts to convince advertisers and businesses that their traditional target demographics are not aligned with the actual buying power in the country today. There are so many things I love about this. As I mentioned, an info graphic is such a Gen X and Millennial way of looking at things – content may be king, but only if it is entertaining! And yet the comic styling is classic Boomer. It really is brilliant piece. … Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Blog, Product DesignSecession planning is an important part of any organization’s business strategy, and the onslaught of Baby Boomers entering retirement has been woven into news reports for several years now. So why did a recent study by executive search firm Odgers Berndston find that nearly 60% of executives surveyed were unprepared for the change? Turns out they may be ignoring the cultural differences among the generations. That is, while they’ve identified who is leaving and are dutifully transferring business knowledge down the line, they may not be looking at the more subtle – but significant – differences in how each generation… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Generations, Succession PlanningWhen I was growing up a popular show on PBS had a song that teased “one of these things is not like the others, one of these things just isn’t the same.” It’s becoming clear that etiquette, common sense and social media just do not belong in the same sentence and it is affecting the one of the most etiquette-focused areas of the business world: the job interview. Yes, the “I can’t believe somebody actually did that” HR files include job candidates who have texted or accepted cell phone calls while in an interview, according to this story from USA… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Downloadable MediaWhile tradeshow and event managers pride themselves on creativity, the basic structure and components of special events have been somewhat tried and true. A recent report by Amsterdam RAI demonstrates why savvy companies are smart to look at events and event marketing with a whole new light. Changing demographics = changing demands, and the younger generations have explicit expectations for how they wish to be engaged. According to the report, Millennials crave engagement and Generation X continues to be skeptical. This corroborates the experiences of many professional association clients that have expressed frustration with younger generations not attending their flagship… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Blog, EducationA lot has been written about the effects of Baby Boomers retiring en masse over the next couple of decades – on employers, on markets, on healthcare, etc. Now, a new analysis from the Metropolitan Research Center suggests that aging Boomers selling off their homes will lead to the next big crisis in the housing market. Over the last few decades of the 20th Century, Boomers drove demand for single-family homes and accounted for most of that market. As they retire, they will begin to sell those homes but the market for them will be considerably smaller. First, the generation… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Home Ownership, WorkWhile everyone seems focused on capturing the attention of Millennials, the Baby Boomers are still the “most valuable generation,” according to a Nielsen report. Over the next five years, Boomers are expected to account for 50% of all consumer spending and to control 70% of all disposable income, according to Nielsen. Fueled by aging Boomers, the over-50 cohort will account for 50% of the population in 5 years. That age group is growing at 3 times the rate of the coveted 18-49 demographic. Still, it accounts for only 5% of advertising. Boomers stand to inherit $15 trillion over the next… Read More
Categories: Advertising, Baby Boomers, BlogThe two youngest generations, Millennials and Generation X, are the ones most concerned about their spending, saving, and investing, according to a TD Canada Trust survey. In contrast, 80% of Boomers feel they are managing their money well, even if 56% feel they don’t have enough of it. Millennials are most likely (65%) in the survey to worry that they are spending too much, compared with 56% of Xers and 44% of Boomers. Millennials are also most likely (55%) to want to learn more about finance and money management. Meanwhile, Generation X has the most competing financial concerns, including retirement… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Financial Services, Generations, Wealth, WorkThe wealthier the Baby Boomer, the more likely he or she will seek financial advice, according to an analysis by Millionaire Corner. Meanwhile, middle income or “Mass Affluent” (net worth between $100K and $1M) are more likely to self direct their finances. Only a quarter high net worth Boomers (>$5M) self direct their investments even though, as a group, they consider themselves very knowledgeable about finance. Meanwhile, 40% of the Mass Affluent group calls their own financial shots even though only 7% consider themselves “very knowledgeable.” Mass affluent are also the most likely (32%) to use an advisor on an… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Financial Services, WealthAlong with widespread discussion about what happens when all those Boomers retire, a parallel discussion has emerged about what will happen if they don’t. As Boomers reach retirement age, many of them just keep on working. Some can’t afford to retire and some just like their work. Remember, this is the workaholic generation. A debate has begun about what effect the non-retirement of Boomers will have. On one side, some have argued that it will mostly be positive: less demand on retirement systems and more wealth to fuel Boomer consumption, expanding opportunity for everyone. For the other side, Boomers sticking… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Generations, Work, WorkplaceThe disparity in wealth between Baby Boomers and Millennials is changing the demographics of restaurant clientele. In the past, older generations were more apt to cook and eat at home while younger generations preferred the luxury and convenience of eating out. Now the Boomers, a generation that came of age during the explosion of chain restaurants and fast food, dominate the restaurant market even as they near retirement. Meanwhile, Millennials who still like the convenience of dining out don’t have the means to do it. Even as Millennials grow into adulthood, jobs, and careers, the number of them patronizing restaurants… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Blog