The Pew study of Millennials from a few years ago got everyone’s notice with the factoid that most Millennials sleep with their cell phones at hand. Now, a new Cisco study takes look at Millennials waking relationships with their smartphones and finds them inseparable. In fact, Millennials don’t just sleep with their smartphones. 75% use them in bed before going to sleep and 90% check them again first thing in the morning. Half use them while eating and third use them in the bathroom. A third check them every half hour. Another fifth check them every ten minutes. A quarter… Read More
Categories: Blog, Downloadable MediaMillennials are inclined to save retirement and a few incentives might help them get over their wariness about the risks. Those are the conclusions of a new Prudential Retirement study of what will get Millennials into retirement savings. According to the survey of Millennial employees, many of them (83%) are inclined to save for retirement by witnessing the shortfall of older generations approaching retirement age. A similar number (81%) say retirement savings is a “must.” However, nearly half of those polled see the investments as “risky.” Moreover, many of those participating in retirement plans say they are “complicated” (63%) and… Read More
Categories: Financial Services, WorkWhile there are many threats to the performance of equity markets, the onslaught of Baby Boomer retirements will not be one of them, according to financial analysts. While events like the “fiscal cliff” or downturns like the one in 2008 will continue to affect market performance, the fear that a mass of retiring Boomers pulling their money out of equities would crash the markets is unfounded. While large numbers of Baby Boomers have begun to reach retirement age, their retirements should have little impact on the value of equities. For one, those retirements will be spread over 25 to 30… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Financial Services, WorkMillennials are open to advertising, like to be entertained by it, and, if they like the message, they are likely to pass it on. A study of 4,000 Millennials by Edelman Berman revealed that only 3% of Millennials are resistant to advertising. 80% of them said they like to be entertained by advertising and 70% like to provide feedback. Millennials also like (40%) to influence, or “co-create” new products. Less than a third said they wanted entertainment (videos, games, etc.) from brands instead of advertising. On the other hand, Millennials’ fondness for learning and connecting comes through in the survey:… Read More
Categories: AdvertisingA new study by Nielsen shows that Generation X responds to authenticity in advertising above other qualities and approaches. Advertising that is calm, reasonable, and based on real life will appeal to Xers in contrast to more aspirational, extreme, and exaggerated styles that appeal to Millennials. The study found some subtle differences between men and women of Generation X. Gen X women are more responsive to sentimentality, while Gen X men respond to competence. Both place a high value on real-world, relatable situations. The study acknowledges that Gen X is smaller than the others but represents an opportunity for marketers… Read More
Categories: Advertising, Blog, WomenAs the holiday shopping season shifts into high gear, Millennials and Baby Boomers both plan to spend, but each generation will shop in its own way. Millennials will use smartphone and online shopping about twice as much as Boomers. Boomers on the other hand, are much more likely to visit brick-and-mortar stores and use traditional coupons and sales. Millennials and Gen Xers plan to spend about $820 on gifts this year while Baby Boomers plan to spend about $760. The big difference is in how they plan to spend the money. About half of Millennials will use smartphones to compare… Read More
Categories: Baby BoomersAs Baby Boomers work towards retirement and see their kids off to college, many are finding that they still have a major responsibility: caring for their parents. 40% of Boomers are caring for their aging parents, all of the Mature generation. And it’s definitely affecting their lives and work: nearly 70% of Boomers report missing work to take care of an elderly relative. 60% have employed caregivers, 10% have left work, and another 10% have reduced the number of hours they work. Many are also caught between caring for their kids and their parents – the classic sandwich generation. But… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Generations, MaturesCampbell’s Soup may have outdone themselves, and everyone else, with the generational marketing of their new product line, Campbell’s Go. “Designed by Millennials for Millennials,” is Campbell’s pitch for a new line of soup in a microwaveable pouch. The immediate reaction is that the effort is, well, overcooked. Brian Williams of NBC News said the product launch, which overtly pushes lots of Millennials’ hot buttons, “marked the end of the world.” The soups’ packaging recalls Capri Suns, the product page looks like Tumblr, and Millennials are encouraged to create playlists about the soups. Millennials pictured on the pouches look like… Read More
Categories: AdvertisingMillennials have had the reputation as being impatient, entitled, and self-indulgent. But as they progress into adulthood, some studies are showing that they are becoming mature, responsible, and frugal, and given to self-sacrifice. Some highlights: • They’re eating out less. Meals out among Millennials have declined by about 20% over the last 5 years. Now, in contrast to past trends, Gen Xers and Boomers eat out more. • They’re living at home to save money – and they’re OK with that. More than 20% of adult Millennials are living with Mom and Dad, and 70% of those say that’s fine… Read More
Categories: Uncategorizedhttps://www.construction-institute.org/news/ac12-nextgen_story.cfm?section=aboutcii Above is a link to an association write up of a program I put together for them on how to get their next generation of leaders prepared for roles of responsibility – how to work with the leaders of today and how to prepare yourself for leadership tomorrow. We seated everyone at rounds and made sure no two people from the same company was together so that the workshop portion could function most effectively. It was two hours long, all customized for this client, with super results. Below is the quote from my CII point of contact for the… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Matures, Workplace