Loved this recent editorial in the Washington Post by a very smart Gen Y student (Rob Anderson).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/27/AR2007112702221.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
He is upset by how author Naomi Wolf is attacking his generation and charging that young people are not politically active enough. Anderson is right. Wolf is wrong.
This Blog is dedicated to generational marketing and communications and hosted by GenerationXpert Suzanne Kart. Suzanne, who is a Gen Xer, has more than 10 years experience writing, speaking, and studying generational communications and has spoken on the local, state, national, and international level. She can be reached at generationXpert@gmail.com
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Generation V
Are you looking for a level playing field, where age, gender, class and income of individuals are less important and less rewarded than competence, motivation and effort? Then you may be a member of Generation V. Check out more at: http://crmweblog.crmmastery.com/?p=971
Friday, November 16, 2007
It's gettin' hot in here...
Office workers and educators are not the only ones dealing with generational conflict - check out how generational differences are affecting firefighters:
http://www.industryclick.com/magazinearticle.asp?releaseid=16908&magazinearticleid=322782&magazineid=157&siteID=26
http://www.industryclick.com/magazinearticle.asp?releaseid=16908&magazinearticleid=322782&magazineid=157&siteID=26
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Gen Xers redefine fatherhood
Although not a fan of the automobile - and a staunch advocate of light rail - I find it ironic that a car company can seem to get a grasp on what Gen X men are like.
Gen Xers - men and women alike - are often misread, misinterpreted, and misrepresented in the media. However, this article out of Ontario offers some great insight - from the perspective of an automotive company.
Here's an excerpt from the article which was posted to: wellandtribune.ca
"Insecurity at youth spawned a need for security and strong relationships as the men in the group enter marriage and fatherhood, said Amy Casey in Nissan's planning group.
Not quite ready to grow up as they grow older and certainly not ready for a minivan, Casey learned that some of these men don't want to be seen as just a dad or just a husband.
"They are the stealth dad," she said. They are youthful and edgy to the world, nurturing and caring at home. And he likes his flat-screen TV, communication devices, quality athletic gear, gadgets and cooking utensils, all of which he embraced before fatherhood.
What I find really interesting here is that Gen X dads seem to be a lot like Gen X moms. We're holding on to our identities, while still focusing on parenting. Parenting is our most important job, but not our only one.
Click here for the entire article: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=767597&auth=Mark+Maynard
Gen Xers - men and women alike - are often misread, misinterpreted, and misrepresented in the media. However, this article out of Ontario offers some great insight - from the perspective of an automotive company.
Here's an excerpt from the article which was posted to: wellandtribune.ca
"Insecurity at youth spawned a need for security and strong relationships as the men in the group enter marriage and fatherhood, said Amy Casey in Nissan's planning group.
Not quite ready to grow up as they grow older and certainly not ready for a minivan, Casey learned that some of these men don't want to be seen as just a dad or just a husband.
"They are the stealth dad," she said. They are youthful and edgy to the world, nurturing and caring at home. And he likes his flat-screen TV, communication devices, quality athletic gear, gadgets and cooking utensils, all of which he embraced before fatherhood.
What I find really interesting here is that Gen X dads seem to be a lot like Gen X moms. We're holding on to our identities, while still focusing on parenting. Parenting is our most important job, but not our only one.
Click here for the entire article: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=767597&auth=Mark+Maynard
Thursday, November 8, 2007
What does it mean to be nice?
I had a great conversation this week with a 30-year-old Gen Xer who says she's annoyed with her Boomer colleagues saying she needs to be nicer. At the start of the conversation, she didn't realize that she is not alone in this challenge and it is a common complaint among Gen Xers.
To Boomers, being nice often means small talk. That's nice. However, this same chit-chat often seems insincere to Xers. So when the Boomer colleague inquires about the Xer's kids, the Xer will be polite, but may feel the Boomer is faking interest. When the Xer does not reciprocate the family question, it can obviously offend the Boomer.
Another scenario is when giving criticism. Often Boomers will give you the criticism sandwich - a good comment, the criticism, a bad comment. This can be affective with Xers, yet, the critical point (the criticism) may be lost in the sea of compliments. Conversely, when a Xer just spills it, the Boomer can be offended, because they only got the meat - not the bread and the condiments.
I think once Xer and Boomers are conscious of this different, the conflict goes away, because they then interpret the messages as they are meant to be.
To Boomers, being nice often means small talk. That's nice. However, this same chit-chat often seems insincere to Xers. So when the Boomer colleague inquires about the Xer's kids, the Xer will be polite, but may feel the Boomer is faking interest. When the Xer does not reciprocate the family question, it can obviously offend the Boomer.
Another scenario is when giving criticism. Often Boomers will give you the criticism sandwich - a good comment, the criticism, a bad comment. This can be affective with Xers, yet, the critical point (the criticism) may be lost in the sea of compliments. Conversely, when a Xer just spills it, the Boomer can be offended, because they only got the meat - not the bread and the condiments.
I think once Xer and Boomers are conscious of this different, the conflict goes away, because they then interpret the messages as they are meant to be.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
The Millenial Mindset
If you really want to get inside the heads of Gen Y, I have a blog for you:
http://www.employeeevolution.com/
They are doing a great job with this one and their ideas really give insight into the newest generation to enter the workforce. These guys are chronicling the transition into the Information Age/21st Century workforce that's currently happening. Great information.
http://www.employeeevolution.com/
They are doing a great job with this one and their ideas really give insight into the newest generation to enter the workforce. These guys are chronicling the transition into the Information Age/21st Century workforce that's currently happening. Great information.
Friday, November 2, 2007
What's Gen Y thinking?
A promising new column in the Cincinnati Enquirer has begun and features analysis of trends in the workforce from a Gen Y perspective.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071031/BIZ03/710310308/1001/BIZ
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071031/BIZ03/710310308/1001/BIZ
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Senior Citizens Become Adults
By now, most people know that Babyboomers will never be seniors. Shoot, they can barely handle being called grown ups.
When we market to this demographic, we can't do what worked 20 years ago for the 55+ market. I found a really good example of how to market to Boomers.
http://www.cafebabyboomers.com/travel-leisure/Adult-Golf-Vacations-For-the-Babyboomer-Age.php
What's best is that these "Adult" trips are clearly for people who are over 55. But they never mention the terms seniors or "active adults" (which I think implies seniors). They just say adults.
When we market to this demographic, we can't do what worked 20 years ago for the 55+ market. I found a really good example of how to market to Boomers.
http://www.cafebabyboomers.com/travel-leisure/Adult-Golf-Vacations-For-the-Babyboomer-Age.php
What's best is that these "Adult" trips are clearly for people who are over 55. But they never mention the terms seniors or "active adults" (which I think implies seniors). They just say adults.
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