Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. John F Kennedy
Meet Your Future Client- Generation C
I recently returned from two Industry Trade shows, (and it's only the beginning of February), and I was amazed at how much emphasis was given to new technology products: Headphones, speakers, ear buds, power packs, hand held projectors, styli, the thinnest business card size USB drives, iPad cases, cell phone holders... ANYTHING that had to do with a cellphone/smart phone, iPad, Kindle, Nook, etc was the "IT" item. And here is why...
Just when you thought you understood the whole generational thing in the workplace…here come the new kids on the block...
WELCOME GENERATION C
Generation C- connected, communicating, content-centric, computerized, community-oriented, always clicking!
Generation C are "digital natives,” born after 1990 and just beginning to enter the workforce, (at least hopefully as I am a parent of a 21 year old) and they will transform the world as we know it. Their interests will help drive massive change in how people around the world socialize, work, and live their passions—and in the information and communication technologies they use to do so. According to Booze and Company, here are some characteristics of a typical Gen C:
They have owned digital devices all their lives; they are intimately familiar with them and use them as much as six hours a day. They all have mobile phones and constantly send text messages. More than 95 percent of them have computers, and more than half use instant messaging to communicate, have Facebook pages, and watch videos on YouTube.
Generation C is a member of a New Generation that will be coming into its own over the next decade. Its members are typically realists and materialists. They are culturally liberal, though not necessarily politically progressive. They are upwardly mobile, yet they live with their parents longer than earlier generations ever did. Many of their social interactions take place on the Internet, where they feel free to express their opinions and attitudes. They’ve grown up under the influence of Harry Potter, Barack Obama, and iEverything — iPods, iTunes, iPhones. Technology is so intimately woven into their lives that the baby boom–era concept of “early adopters” is essentially meaningless.
According to a the Youth Strategy Company, DDB in Sydney, there is a definite need for companies to understand and engage Generation C, a group which they believe to be the most highly influential in the world due to their need to share their lives via social media platforms.
They Are Used to Being Connected 24/7
•This is the first generation that has never known any reality other than that defined and enabled by the Internet, mobile devices and social networking
• They're used to being connected 24/7... as long as connected doesn't mean schlepping a laptop. By 2020 there will be 6 billion mobile phone users and most of them will have Internet connection that way.
• Their concerns about privacy and sharing information are very different from ours. One trend that will have long-reaching impact on IT security and corporate transparency is the fact that this generation doesn't seem to have a problem sharing personal information with the world.
By 2014, 50% of the world's workforce will be "flexible". Booz calls them "Working Nomads", but it means they'll be part-time, contractors, remote workers or some combination of all of the above. Their relationship to their employers will be very different than ours was when we came out of college.
For those of us who are parents of digitally connected, computerized and “clicking” children born after 1990 (and who are fortunate enough to actually have jobs in the work force), as our new clients and customers…. think about this…. Will you be judged in the office as well as someone who is just not technologically savvy enough? Will you now be forced to keep up with all the technology that is changing around you? or will you say, “nah…. let’s hire a Gen C to take care of all that!” One thing for sure... we will ALL definitely need more Patience…it is a Virtue you know!
For more information:
Give us a call 214-520-8577 or email info@donnaco.com and let us know how we can help!
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