As we all know, one of the biggest, most influential segments of our population is made up of the Baby Boomers: the kids that were born in the late 40’s and early 50’s just after the end of World War II.
These are the folks that brought you rock ‘n roll, The ’60’s, Women’s Liberation, Sesame Street, JFK, Nixon, the Vietnam War, and any number of other cultural touchstones that changed our culture – and our country – drastically and forever.
Despite their radical beginnings, many of the Boomers eventually transformed from Hippies to Yuppies, ushering in an age of unfettered capitalism and glamorized money-culture in the 1980’s. This means that some of those Boomers are probably still the big-fish movers and shakers in your industry, and knowing how to speak their language may make all the difference when it comes to your next PowerPoint presentation.
Know Your Knowledge
The Boomers grew up watching the 6 o’clock news in an era when reporters were actual journalists – not just models with teleprompters. Boomers like to sit down on Sunday nights and watch 60 Minutes – for an entire hour! The Boomers were the last generation in America that boasted a high number of book readers. These folks want to know things and they want to know them deeply and fully. Unlike Generations X, they didn’t grow up on a steady diet of manic, MTV-style, jump-cut edits. They have long attention spans – if you can keep ’em interested.
Back To School
Boomers were the first generation to get ahead through education. The G.I. bill made higher learning available to soldiers after the War and – for the first time – college wasn’t just for rich kids. The Boomers were the first generation who saw this kind of higher education as a birthright. As a result, these folks value learning and appreciate the dynamics of interactive discourse. When you are making a PowerPoint pitch to a room full of Boomers, consider encouraging questions and statements throughout your presentation. Maintain control over your message, but don’t wait for the Q & A before getting this generation more actively involved.
Fine Wine
Although The Boomers are getting older, you can’t tell them that. You’ve probably seen Dennis Hopper on TV recently, pitching the need for retirement planning. He’s not offering a stoic message about responsibility. He’s advocating a renaissance: retirement as a second act, a second chance, a brand new you! This generation has never stopped dreaming of the next horizon, so – while you better speak slowly and keep those fonts on the large size – you never want to treat The Boomers like they are fading away. They see themselves as only getting better with age.
