Communicating effectively between generations is essential for doing business in the modern world. With new technologies like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace it's become even more important to understand generational differences. How do you begin to understand the intricacies of these groups? How do you develop a social media strategy and begin to execute it successfully?

2. Introduction How do we use social media to succeed in today’s market with the additional challenge of generationalcomplexities – the different demands, values and preferences of today’s multi-generational buyers?

3. What’s in it for me? W.I.I.F.M.

5. Arm yourself with knowledge

7. The Four Generations

8. Facts Industry is dominated by Boomers Consumer base dominated by X’ers, Y’ers

9. Your Success… Understanding the 4 Generations and their W.I.I.F.M.s.

10. civics

12. Ages 62 and over

13. 59 million Civics

15. Hard work

16. Conformity

17. Stability and Security

18. Respect for Authority

21. Respect for the rules

22. Loyalty

25. Marketing messages should include things like “this is your time”, “you’ve waited long enough”, “reward yourself”

26. Tell them – you’ve earned it!

29. Take the time to build a face-to-face relationship

31. Deliver on your promises - The service you provide must be parallel to the marketing promise

32. Use storytelling as a way to reinforce – this is an appreciated way to garner buy-inCivics – Respect, Loyalty, Honesty

34. Most popular activities online: researching health or medical information, product research, e-commerce, photo sharingAre Civics even online?

35. baby boomers

37. AKA Boomers, “Me” Generation

39. Self

40. Involvement

41. Personal Gratification

42. CommunityBaby Boomers

44. Optimism

45. Satisfying the “self” first

46. Community involvement

47. The “team” win

49. “There’s no challenge too great”

50. “We will move any obstacle to get this done”

51. “We are committed to winning together”

52. “It’s just the beginning”

54. “Your team” will work toward their success

55. Your company is based on teamwork

57. Don’t discuss all of the other things you need to do

58. Keep the focus on them

59. Make them feel like servicing them is the center of your universe

61. Make it clear that you are a part of their community

64. Less likely to have online friends

67. AKA X’ers, Baby Busters

68. Population = 48 million

70. Change

71. Techno-literacy

72. Skepticism

73. Work is “just a job”

76. Desiring fun/freedom

77. Technoliteracy

78. Seeking balance

79. Fierce independence

80. SkepticismGeneration X’ers are about…

82. Tell them everything they need to know – really

85. Offer freedom of choice – communicate options at every opportunity

86. Provide planning contingency – what are the options if this doesn’t workSo Generation X’ers want…

88. Utilize technology to drive the transaction, communicate faster and empower the consumer to make some independent decisions

89. Your tools, how you communicate, your office…all say something about your tech-friendliness

90. Provide a useful, info-rich website

92. Understand and acknowledge fierce X’er independence

93. The DIY mentality – Home Depot & IKEA generation

94. Be there when needed AND get-gone when you are not (on-demand)!So Generation X’ers want…

96. Median age for LinkedIn is now 39

97. Gen X and Boomers also spend time on Flickr and YouTubeSo Generation X’ers are using…

98. generation y

100. aka Gen Y, Echo Boomers

101. 73 millionGeneration Y

104. Optimistic

105. Techno-fused

106. Untraditional – don’t believe “The clothes make the person”

107. Moral and Civic minded

108. Collaborative and Democratic

109. The Diversity generation

110. Still Skeptical

112. Morals

113. Confidence

114. Community

115. Techno-fused

116. CollaborationGeneration Y’ers are about…

119. Affirm their confidence and teach them what they don’t knowThey ARE inexperienced and WON’T ask for help – but they do expect it on THEIR TERMS They think they know everything, they like FYI, or “just in case” gentle messages vs. in your face coaching Resist the parenting impulse Boomers and Civics!!

121. Help them get what they want and they will be your social advocates… referrals will come from this groupDespite the techno-savviness and lack of tradition, this group is rooted by the perpetuation of the community, the family and the betterment of things. It’s the fusion of Boomers and X’ers.

123. Gen Y is the largest group on Facebook although numbers are rising in the Boomer generation.

124. Median age on MySpace is 26, and decreasing

126. thank you! Any questions?