#17 Generational motivations – Baby Boomers and Generation X, Y and C
July 25, 2009 by Jake Pearce
Today we are talking about the motivations of generations and talking about why it’s important to look at what motivates a generation (as human beings) rather than what their behaviour is (as human doings).
This video is 3 minutes 46 seconds long and covers the following:
- A quick definition of Generation C
- Why we need to understand the motivations of different Generations – Baby Boomers, Generation X, Y and C in order to be target generations effectively
- A summary of the motivations of Baby Boomers, Generation X, Y and C
What do you think are the motivations of these generations and does it matter?
#16 Why Generational stereotypes are incorrect
July 21, 2009 by Jake Pearce
This week I’m looking at why generational stereotypes are incorrect.
Generational studies usually focus on a demographic or age based analysis and define each generation by what they do.
For example when thinking about the Boomer generation, they talk about their activities – music, protests, hippy movement etc.
The key is that they are missing the point – to understand a generation the key is to look at the motivation that defines them. After all we are human beings not human doings 
For Boomers it’s all about freedom or being free and they demonstrate this by the music, hippy movement, political protests that their generation are noted for.
So Generation C isall about Control and show this by wanting to have the power to choose how to define their environment, be heard and share with other people in the digital world.
The video is 3 mins 48 seconds. Hope you find it useful.
How do you think generations should be defined?
#15 Quick definitions – Generation Y, X, Z, Boomers & Generation C
July 13, 2009 by Jake Pearce
This video is 4minutes 30 seconds long.
There is a lot of confusion over the the differences between all the different generations and how Generation C fits with them.
To start defining them, I look at the demographic/age based generations briefly, Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y and Generation Z. Unlike Generation C, which is a psychographic generation that is ageless, the following generations are typically defined in generational studies based on common experiences in their late teens/early twenties.
A quick and useful start to check what generation someone belongs to, is to ask them what their formative music format was
- Boomers – Vinyl was their format 33’s and 45’s
- Gen X – Tapes were dominant format
- Gen Y – CD’s for older Gen Y
- Gen Y – mp3’s/itunes for younger Gen Y
- Gen Z – Work In Progress as they are ‘generationally’ born from 2001 onwards and haven’t hit late teens yet!
- Gen C – like digital online formats and enjoy sharing and comparing for example to Last FM
Generation C is the global, ageless Digital Generation – no accident then that they love Twitter
In short, Generation C is more important than any other generation because it’s not defined by a narrow demographic – do you agree or disagree?
#14 Generation Y versus Generation C – what’s the difference?
July 6, 2009 by Jake Pearce
This week I’m looking at the difference between Generation C and Generation Y, with some big implications for marketing and society at large.
The video is 5 mins 53 seconds long and covers the following:
- A recap of a definition of Generation C itself
- Defining Generation Y commenting on two authorities: Peter Sheahan and Howe & Strauss
- Looking at why these two authorities have radically different views on the characteristics of Generation Y
- Explaining how Generation Y relates to Generation C
- The implications for marketing and society in general.
So – what do you think – is Generation Y selfish or selfless?
I look forward to your comments.