Entries in millennials (3)

Wednesday
08Jul2009

Interview on Gen Y

DateWednesday, July 8, 2009 at 5:49PM

While doing the mingling and socializing I am universally lauded for at the MarketingProfs B2B Conference TweetUp, I met Judy Martin of WorkLifeNation.com.  We struck up a conversation that gravitated towards the topic of Gen Y.  I have an opinion on Gen Y and Millennials, and I've posted it on this blog a few times -- here and here.  I think what most fascinates me about Gen Y (and being part of it) is that it is a changing of the guard -- a new generation with a different expectations is invading the workforce and ushering out the Boomers.

Basically, Judy hit a topic right in my wheelhouse.  Fortunately it was also in hers, and she asked if I would answer a few questions via email for her blog.  Here's the post with our Q&A: "All Gen Y are not created equal when it comes to work flex".

Take a read and let us (Judy or myself) know what you think.

Authoradam stewart | CommentPost a Comment |
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Tuesday
08Jan2008

Obama wins MySpace primary - now what?

DateTuesday, January 8, 2008 at 2:43PM

Shortly after the results of the Iowa caucus were determined last week, Barack Obama was declared the winner of the MySpace primary, garnering 46% of the vote among the Democrats. Mike Huckabee, Republican winner of Iowa, did not fare as well in MySpace's poll. According to MySpace and MarketingVox, 153,226 people with an average age of 29 voted in the primary.

The role of the internet and social networks in this election has been discussed extensively -- the YouTube debates, Obama's social networking site, Huckabee's partnership with Chuck Norris. The expectation is that the candidate able to mobilize young voters online will be rewarded with the youth vote. Obama and Ron Paul have been the internet darlings so far, early buzz will fade quickly as primary result begin to come in.

As I have posted before, the millennials are coming, and they can play an integral part in an election where the current buzzword is "change". They just have to show up to the polls, something they have not yet proven is a priority. With so many young people connecting with Obama's message, maybe this is the year they finally flex their electoral muscle. Initial numbers in Iowa were encouraging, with the youth vote turning out in record numbers, but it remains to be seen whether the trend will continue (and hopefully improve) in the upcoming primaries. Hopefully it will -- voting in MySpace elections and joining political Facebook groups doesn't mean a thing unless a real-life vote is cast.

Authoradam stewart | Comment2 Comments |
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Wednesday
19Dec2007

Millennials and the new workplace

DateWednesday, December 19, 2007 at 2:25PM

Broadcast Newsroom (via YPulse) published an excellent speech by Pat Esser on the expectations of Echo Boomers as they enter the job market. Echo Boomers (also called Millennials) number 80 million will soon comprise the majority of the work force, and by 2014, they will dominate the U.S. population. According to Esser, Echo Boomers are "poised to become the most powerful generation thus far".

  • They're confident in their ability to succeed, and they're optimistic about their place in the world.
  • They are collaborative team players, who are able to think, work and achieve in groups.
  • They're practically immune to gender gaps and racial divides.
  • They're smarter than previous generations. Their aptitude test scores are up.
  • They're activists. They want to live and work where it's clean, safe and green.
[...]Echo boomers' propensity to 'hop around' is not necessarily because they don't want to stick with a company long-term, it's just that they get impatient when their needs are not being met quickly enough. As employers, we must recognize that many echo boomers don't mind being on Blackberry all weekend as long as they have flexibility during the week. In a nutshell, an echo boomer's dream job likely includes: social networks; work/life balance; personal growth; work that matters; opportunities to do good; quality of life; and creativity.

But Current Boomers are understandably concerned as a new generation begins to dominate the workplace and consumer landscape. A recent report from 60 Minutes paints a mostly negative picture of the Millennials, challenging their work ethic and attitude, but also conceding that expectations are high in part because of standards their parents have set.

To Millennials like myself, our entry into the work force feels like a changing of the guard. And although many employers recognize this new school mindset, few of them can fully prepare to meet the needs and expectations of Millennials. The companies that do will be the first to really see what types of effects that an Millennials workforce will have on their business.


"Echo Boomers: Changing the Pace and Face of Business" (Broadcast Newsroom)
"The Millennials are Coming" (CBS News)

Authoradam stewart | Comment1 Comment |
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