What Are the Different Generations?

          A generation is a group of people born in a particular time period. Oftentimes, these generations operate with similar ideas, attitudes, and values from shared experiences. Generational differences show up in different ways. Oftentimes, it aligns with the impact of the era. Our behaviors are shaped by our experiences with the world around us.

        Age is one big reason for the natural gap between generations. However, the major issue arrives due to the mental gap in terms of thinking patterns & current trends. Technical ability is also important. How technology affects the generation gap is impacted by how well older people can learn and use new technology. This tends to be written by Millennials for the younger generation, so many older people can become left behind when things move too fast.

      Different life experiences create generational sub-cultures. A culture that has been shaped by the values of one generation isn’t necessarily going to be compatible with the next generation. Here are the generations defined by name and birth year:

1. Baby Boomers (1946- 1964): the end of World War II and the demographic explosion in many countries gave rise to the name of this generation, born in times of peace and economic prosperity. They are also called ‘boomers.’ This generation has had to adapt to new technologies and for that reason, they are considered digital immigrants. They are imbued with the culture of effort and sacrifice, have a great experience, and are said to be loyal, committed, great at team building, and used to working for many years in the same company.
2. Generation X (1965 – 1980): or the youth of the 80s, is considered the bridge between boomers and millennials. During the years that comprise this era, capitalism took root and consumerism took off, which is why they are considered ambitious. While the people born during this era cannot be considered digital natives because the technology in those years was limited, they have adapted very easily to the arrival of the Internet and the subsequent technological development. Teamwork and fostering trusting working relationships are also one of their hallmarks.
3. Millennials or Generation Y (1981- 1996): also known as digital natives and the first truly global generation because they share the same values in all countries thanks to globalization and their connection through the Internet. They like learning and entrepreneurship. They lived through the 2008 crisis and therefore consider themselves tolerant of frustration. They are also self-confident and very committed, but they are not afraid of changing jobs. They can’t imagine life without technology and are quick to adapt to new things.
4. Centennials or Generation Z (1997-2010): are the youngest grouping in the labor market and if anything characterizes them is that they live immersed in ‘the Internet society,’ consume only digital formats, and study and read online. They are self-taught and Youtube tutorials are their great allies. This generation is at the forefront of social networks. They are very creative, flexible, and used to multitasking. They prefer remote work and they are innovative and pragmatic. However, they are not so easy to retain.

A Generation Gap

          The generation gap is the major reason today why parents and children are moving away from each other. As we all know, the environment has changed, and so has the lifestyle and with that, the mind of children also changes. Today’s generation doesn’t like others interfering in any of their personal matters.

        To have a functional work environment, you need to make sure you are handling any potential workplace conflict, such as any generation gap in the workplace. Bridging this gap can mean the difference between business success and business failure. So, take the time to listen to your employees and address all concerns they may have.

How generations analyze for business development

          Generational marketing is when the target audience is segmented and targeted by generation, which is determined by the year in which they were born. Despite commonalities across generations, each also has its own set of beliefs, preferences, and shared experiences that influence the ways they think and act.

        Adopting a generational marketing strategy for your hospitality business has countless benefits – from understanding how to communicate with certain age groups to knowing which marketing channels to use and what offers to promote. Especially when it comes to making purchase decisions or how interacting with brands. Technological developments over time, financial stability, and educational exposure all influence how these generations approach interactions.

          Generational marketing is a marketing strategy that segments customers by generation so you can better market to them. By understanding the motivations, challenges, and habits of each generation and the marketing channels they’re most likely to engage with, it’s much easier to craft marketing messages that will appeal to each generation.

          With the general public seeking information from various sources, it becomes harder for businesses to come up with a marketing strategy that all generations will comprehend. This is why companies must budget and allocate money wisely for them to reach their target market. For anyone who is just learning about Marketing, this could be beneficial in knowing the target market and awareness of social media applications for all generations. The younger a generation is, the more likely they use social media. As for older generations, while they may use social media, businesses should advertise in newspapers, magazines, and the like.

How the various generation drives the business

       One of the most significant roots of success is a diverse workplace. The modern workforce comprises four entire generations: Baby Boomers, Gen X-ers, Millennials, and Gen Z-ers. Knowing how to utilize the assets of different generations of workers brings an entirely new dimension to teamwork, coaching, mentorship, and hiring. Putting the right people in the right positions for success is one of the most important aspects of creating an efficient and happy workforce.

       Each generation has its own unique perspective, challenges, and contributions, and we can all grow by listening to and learning from people who are different than us. Generational diversity is one way to strengthen your team.

Published 07/11/2022

By Ashley Jones