Comments

This one surprised me for 45-60 year women:
"5. Pursuing New Experiences: ... motorcycling, scuba diving, skydiving, mountain climbing, white water rafting, ..."
suggesting that "health", "fitness" and "weight loss" (not mentioned in the blurb) are a priority ... Are typical fitness centers targeting the right audience? My "mature" fitness class overflowed its large room with boomer women on Monday (70 women, 8 men).

Posted by Mike L at November 3, 2006 5:17 PM

Mike, in one of my business ventures (handyman) this is the main demographic 45 - 60. These women are certainly looking for new experiences. Many want to experience change as some have broken relationships, kids have flown the coop so now things are all of a sudden quiet (too quiet) and for others they are early retirees. One said to me recently "There has to be more than marriage, kids and death..." so right!

Posted by Steve Gray at November 4, 2006 1:12 AM

Also look for our good friend Marti Barletta's book, PrimeTime Women, on the same subject being released in December.

Posted by Mike Neiss at November 4, 2006 8:06 AM

I have a slightly different view on this. I know of two such women personally going through their BOOM years.

If you read the five marketing opportunities closely, they are full of contradictions - not the opportunities individually, but the range of emotions that these women are going through and the opportunities on the whole. On the one hand the BOOMER women are experiencing newfound freedom and want to pursue new experiences, on the other they are mixed bag of emotions and searching for support. And yet they are looking to simplify and downsize.

It becomes extremely difficult to market to this type of customer who has such a wide range of emotions. You never know which marketing campaign would succeed.

Isn't it better then to target markets which are more predictable, allows one to focus your marketing efforts, and generate higher returns?

Posted by Sanjay Dalal at November 4, 2006 11:44 AM

Sanjay, I think you have hit a'nail on the head' I now have to find ways to work in an unpredictable environment. Therefore my marketing could include the benefits I can offer them in utilising my services to provide a degree of stability in their everchanging world. THANKS!

I guess that helps to sum it up for a lot of organisations who need to target these kinds of buyers. :)

Posted by Steve Gray at November 4, 2006 7:09 PM

For an example of the men/women divide that exists in business go to this link http://www.brmb.co.uk/sectional.asp?id=8823

You will hear the story of Helen, a member of staff and how she is treated by her arrogant, chauvinist, out of touch boss called Alistair. This taped phone call was featured live on our local radio BRMB in Birmingham on Friday last week. Because of the way the Podcast is recorded you have to wait 9 minutes into the recording before you come to Helen’s story. It is well worth waiting just to shame any manager acting this way in 2006. One of my questions is would he talk the same way to a man with the same situation Helen faced? Please answer by ticking one of these answeers; No or No

Feedback would be great.

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 6, 2006 4:50 AM

While waiting in the airport this past week, I heard an interesting statistic that 21% of homes are purchased by single women. Very interesting shift in purchasing power...

Posted by RTodd at November 6, 2006 8:05 AM

One way to stay on top of what women 40+ want and like in real time is to see the "tagged" tips they share with each other to make their lives easier and more joyful, then vote on their top ten favorite tips each month.

That's what can happen, beginning in late December, when we launch the social network for women, SavvyHer. Membership will be free in this sponsor-supported community with a firewall between tips/content and sponsors. Those who's tips are voted most popular by members will receive gifts and recognition in the community.

Posted by Kare Anderson at November 6, 2006 10:58 AM

Kare, I look forward to checking out SavvyHer. Online social network sites for Boomers seem to be a different beast than the established social network products that predominantly attract the younger crowd. Folks like yourself and EONS.com are testing the waters.

Posted by Mary Brown at November 6, 2006 12:44 PM

Another kind of "BOOM” is hitting bookstores worldwide, penned by the likes of Tom Friedman, and Steve Hamm. Tom's going to love it!

Read all about it here.
http://ideaburger.blogspot.com

Jay, from Bangalore

Posted by jayakumar.hariharan at November 7, 2006 1:17 AM

If you want an example of the men/women divide that still exists in business in 2006 go to this link;
http://www.brmb.co.uk/sectional.asp?id=8823 'BRMB Breakfast Best Of' is the heading you need.

You will hear the story of Helen, a member of staff and how she is treated by her male boss called Alistair. This taped phone call was featured live on local radio BRMB in Birmingham, UK on Friday last week. It is hard to believe this is a conversation in 2006 and sounds more like the 1940’s.

To bypass the first nine minutes of the clip, click 'download' and move the slider on the player to the 9-minute mark.

Any manager acting this way in 2006 should hang their head in shame. One of many questions I have is; - Would he have spoken the same way to a man dealing with the same issues Helen was raising? This phone call illustrates what I have always said - that staff are much more in touch with reality than some managers. It also provides more evidence that some managers just do not and will never 'get it.'

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 7, 2006 3:52 AM

And it is amazing how youthful many Boomers are looking these days - Sophia Loren, Rachel Welch, Ageless Suzanne Somers - secrets perhaps:
1. Fun - make time for it
2. Finance - invest & spend wisely & lavishly
3. Figure - healthful - keep the body & mind tight & light

Posted by sean_starbucks at November 7, 2006 9:35 AM

4. Inherit - inherit land & wealth :>]

Posted by sean_wealth at November 7, 2006 12:54 PM

5. Dump annoying spouses - but keep the good ones.

Posted by Mike L at November 7, 2006 8:39 PM