#25 Mini Series – How to influence Generation C “5″
November 30, 2009 by Jake Pearce
Welcome to the fifth in our mini series exploring how to influence Generation C – ageless, digital natives.
In Mini Series “1″ we explored Malcolm Gladwell’s “Tipping Point” as a way to get a few influencing ‘the many’ with Mavens, Connectors and Sales people.
In Mini Series “2″ I identified that Connectors are only half of the picture when it comes to broadcasting a message – you also need Conductors,which I define in overview.
In Mini Series “3″ I broke down the four types of Conductors briefly to start to understand how they can influence people – naturally including Generation C
In Mini Series “4″ we investigated further the key differences between Connectors and Conductors and their relative regularity and visibility of influence
So – watch this video (4 minutes 35 seconds long) and consider:
- The four types of Conductor (Information, Debate, Social and Debate Conductors)
- What kind of people they are and how they influence their core network
To build an understanding of the eco systems of influence with a view to knowing how to influence Generation C itself.
What kind of Conductor influenced you this week?
#24 Mini Series – How to influence Generation C “4″
November 21, 2009 by Jake Pearce
Welcome to the fourth in our mini series exploring how to influence Generation C – ageless, digital natives.
In Mini Series “1″ we explored Malcolm Gladwell’s “Tipping Point” as a way to get a few influencing ‘the many’ with Mavens, Connectors and Sales people.
In Mini Series “2″ I identified that Connectors are only half of the picture when it comes to broadcasting a message – you also need Conductors,which I define in overview.
In Mini Series “3″ I broke down the four types of Conductors briefly to start to understand how they can influence people – naturally including Generation C
In this (the 4th of our Mini Series on how to influence Generation C) we investigate further the key differences between Connectors and Conductors.
So – watch this video (3 minutes 30 seconds long) and understand:
- the relative regularity with which Connectors and Conductors influence Generation C; and
- the relative visibility of either type of influencer to Generation C
So – were you influenced by a Connector and/or a Conductor this week? Let us know!
And – if you want a laugh – check out this blooper when I was videoing the VLOG
#23 Mini series – how to influence Generation C “3″
November 13, 2009 by Jake Pearce
Welcome to the third in our mini series exploring how to influence Generation C – ageless, digital natives.
In Mini Series “1″ we explored Malcolm Gladwell’s “Tipping Point” as a way to get a few influencing ‘the many’ with Mavens, Connectors and Sales people.
In Mini Series “2″ I identified that Connectors are only half of the picture when it comes to broadcasting a message – you also need Conductors,which I define in overview.
In today’s video, I break down the 4 types of Conductor that exist to explain how they can influence people in their sphere in different ways.
The video is about 4 minutes long…
What kind of conductors have influenced you to take action in the last 3 months?
Until next time….
#22 Mini series – how to influence Generation C “2″
November 6, 2009 by Jake Pearce
In last week’s VLOG we looked at Malcolm Gladwell’s model from the Tipping point of how the few can influence the many and I concluded that it’s more complicated than that.
In this video (the second in this mini series on digital influencers) I identify and explain the difference between Connectors and what I call Conductors and why the latter are critical in solving how to influence Generation C – namely, adopted or born ageless digital natives.
Check out the video – it’s about 4 minutes long.
Who are your Conductors and how have they influenced you to take action in any sphere of you life?
#21 Mini Series – how to influence Generation C “1″
October 30, 2009 by Jake Pearce
After a wee delay, I’m back. I’ve been overseas and then got sick, so I’m very sorry I haven’t been blogging regularly – however it’s back to normal now!
So, today I begin a ‘mini series’ of VLOGS talking about Digital Influencers.
Why? Well, Generation C is a psychographic, ageless generation which is typified by a love of the digital media (whether that is full on internet involvement or just texting) and a desire for control in the digital environment. And to discover how to engage Generation C, digital natives, we must understand how to identify Digital Influencers to help achieve that engagement.
To begin this exploration I sum up Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘The Tipping Point’ which showed that you don’t need many people to grow a movement/influence lots of people.
Check out the video - less than 4 minutes…
In summary there are 3 types of people necessary to spread the word on any particular matter per Malcolm Gladwell:
- Mavens: these people know loads of stuff about areas they are interested in and really enjoy passing on information e.g. where to find the cheapest deal on a car, whether the new release from Microsoft is any good. Then Mavens pass on information to…
- Connectors: they are people who are socially very networked and can be famous, and/or thought leaders and/or just very well connected in a wide range of spheres. And Connectors know…
- Sales people: these are very persuasive people who are great at passing on information in a highly engaging way that ignites action in the people they tell.
While this is a very powerful overview of how the few engage the many, it misses something vital which we will be exploring.
Namely, that Connectors have huge networks and usually don’t see/connect with all those people in their huge networks regularly. So how do we get the word out to people more regularly that Connectors can? Who do we need to influence Generation C – digital natives more immediately/immediately?
We’ll start to look at that next week J
Do you have a system to find Maven’s, Connectors and Sales people? If not, why not? What tools do you need and do you want some help
#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?
#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.
#13 What does the “C” stand for in Generation C
June 26, 2009 by Jake Pearce
It’s time to clear up the confusion about what the “C” in Generation C stands for:
Some very learned people from Digital Hive, Saatchi and Saatchi and more have come up with their thoughts on defining the “C”.
This video is 3 mins 30 secs long and deals with:
- Various views on what the “C” stands for
- The impact of defining a generation based on what they do rather than what motivates them
- What I believe the “C” stands for and why
What do you think the “C” stands for?
#12 Generation C – who are they and why are they so important?
June 22, 2009 by Jake Pearce
Check out this video and find out more on these 3 reasons why Generation C is so important:
1. They are a psychographic not a demographic generation – this is the first time a generation isn’t bounded by just age
2. It’s a growing generation as people are both born and adopted Generation C – both born and adopted Generation C love communicating digitally
3. They are digital influencers and it’s vital marketeers understand them – in Malcolm Gladwell terms – they are the generation that will make change happen
What are you doing to understand Generation C and how it will affect your organisation?





