Comments

Spot on - and as a proud young ‘boomer’ I’m planning my own international 5 a side football (soccer) team for the 'over 100’s' I’ve already recruited Richard Lipscombe … any other offers? I am team captain and I will reach 100 years of age in 2052 so for the more cautious among you - you have plenty of time to make up your mind.

My all time political hero, 83 year old teenager Tony Benn who was a Labour Party MP for over 50 years before his ‘retirement’ in 2001 sent me this e mail on similar lines.

“Having left Parliament to devote more time to politics I am free: Lots of experience and no personal ambition. I can't wait for April 3 2025 when I shall have completed my first hundred years and a new century of work begins” - Tony Benn

(As an aside ... Oh God how we need someone like Tony right now in UK politics - or at least please give us someone with more than 1% of a personality!!!)

Life is good and there is much to do - age is irrelevant - mindest is everything.

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 3, 2008 3:46 AM

Great seemingly dichotomies arise in this post, as it is often not assumed that such a jet-setting group with collective "trillions of buck-Euros" burning their pockets, could, in fact, make positive change or possibly have the best interest of others at heart. As TP was among these, we are more likely to believe that the others were also truly interested in change, more than power or image.

Was this a business tour? I'm no way suggesting here that that pleasure and business cannot coalesce. But there is perhaps here a tinge of wonder about the messages, messengers, and perhaps even the age of both. It's awesome to be able to have such a view or to have arrived at such a place, but perhaps only those of a certain age and prominence could only be admitted. BUT I'M NOT HATING AT ALl!!!

Many boomers or protesters who railed against the system in the 60s are in fact very much a part of the system now. (Have they brought much change lately? Do disruptions have longterm affect?) Age does not always teach wisdom, nor do past experiences. What we do sincerely hope for are people, of all ages, who are motivated by change and goodness, even if it evolves out of tumulteous times. In fact, great change usally does.

PS...it is great to see the possibility of health, wealth, passion and concern embodied in those over 60. We honor you.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 3, 2008 8:10 AM

The Special Presentation is great from a business and marketing point of view. I was amazed at the numbers. New markets can be created to cater to these demographics alone. The numbers are indeed great. But the Presentation also points to something perhaps even greater: the negligence of Baby Boomers to adequately prepare my generation and thereby subsequent generations.

By a pure fact of attrition, who will be left to make things right if we have not been appropriately taught about finances and other crucial matters? What appears to have been well taught by the parents of Baby Boomers across so many lines have obviously not been taught to us by Baby Boomers. This is the glaring obvious apparent in the Special Presentation.

In this regard, have Baby Boomers failed? So, we market to Baby Boomer now who will be around for the next 25 to 45 year. What then? Presently, who is teaching whom and what are they teaching?

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 3, 2008 8:48 AM

Judith, the tour was pure pleasure--or escape from the eternally lingering remnants of Vermont winter (it snowed the day we got home, 30 April). The tour was not inexpensive, to be sure, but it was not at all over the top for a once-a-year or so indulgence. My assessment was that the folks on it were of above average income, but far from "wealthy." We were definitely no elite group. (The hotels were nice, but a lonoooong way from 4-star. The meals were good, the wine was okay but of the $12 per bottle range. Etc.)

There are literally millions like those of us in this group, and many more millions of boomers who take to the sea every year supporting to the mega-booming cruise line business.

Interestingly, consistent with the research showing that the likes of us seek experiences, not goods, there were several of us who had recently sold a second home, usually some sort of vacation house, to free up funds to support "adventures" like this.

Posted by tom peters at May 3, 2008 11:40 AM

Judith, per your second comment, I am befuddled. The money "we" are-will be spending on leisure and healthcare in North America, Japan, Western Europe, etc, will be the principal engine that creates jobs and powers economic growth (including the likes of biotech research) over the next few decades.

I reiterate: I am not suggesting that their aren't millions without the funds to do the likes of extensive travel, but I assure you that those staggering $$$ amounts you refer to (from the slides) are held by the middle class by the tens of millions. An auto worker married to a teacher, both with substantial seniority, will have had a houseghold income of perhaps $125,000 in their last pre-retirement year. If they're not floating first class on the cruise to the bahamas, they sure as hell ain't in steerrage either.

Posted by tom peters at May 3, 2008 11:53 AM

TP...thank you for consideration here and for setting me straight about something that could indeed be befuddling. The spending to which you refer indeed creates commerce and that is something to encourage. What I envisioned in reading (perhaps misreading) the post that there were these gentlemen (boomers and geezers) who collectively were worth big dough who were a part of a business seminar enjoying such luxuries and spouting to others lean business principles. BUT I would most certainly NOT be hating on this altogether either. Those without funds will simply do others things that would be less expensive. No problem here for me. I have done such things with great delight!

That staggering amount I assumed were indeed held by the tens of millions, but my point was that these tens of millions who are now the solid middle class will in some years to come will not be. While it might be true that industry has changed and there is a shifting of the classes (due to the erosion of solid mining (Pennslyvania) and manufacturing jobs (Michigan) given way to techical ones--no problem here), there seems to me to be other issues here as well. The lessons that the Baby Boomer' parents and grandparents have taught them along simple lines of saving and ethics have seemed to have been lacking.

Literal panic has arisen with the thought that our young people and children are missing valuable lessons that have made the middle class middle outside of economy, maybe even aligned with it. (This "it" refers to ethics and other seemingly non-issues.) I fear that we are slipping into a society of haves and have nots because perhaps the Baby Boomers have elected not to teach, mentor and train as those who have gone before them. The fact that the tens of millions are now spending have been in part due to the principles passed down that are outside of $$$. I do not believe that such principles are with us en masse today.

Maybe it can be argued that at least there is this war chest of $$$ to be spent now that will boost the economy. (I think that this is perhaps your point.) OK. But there is, for me, still the question of our approach and how things are done that can be passed down after we are no longer here. So, even if we are able to capitalize on the Boomers who are now spending, I'm not sure if what we are now made of will be able sustain not only a viable economy but viable global personal infrastructures. I guess what I am refering to is not only opportunity, but how such opportunity is had and what kind of legacy it will lead.

My assumption of this being a business seminar of sorts with a collective few totalling serious loot took me perhaps down a path unintended by the post. But my points here are nonetheless mine, though they may not be directly related to the post. By the way, I am MOST happy that you and your wife enjoyed the trip (I can't think of a more worthy person deserving of such pleasure) and am most delighted that the others seemingly also had an enjoyable time. It is NOT for me a matter of hating on others for such choices...PERIOD! I, in fact, think it's SUPER! I'm not a hater even when the choices seemingly negatively affect others. I, am, however, critical, hopefully in the purer sense. Perhaps, I'm a little miffed at what seems to be our utter lack of integrity on certain issues and the seemingly disregard of those who will come after us, 20 or 100 years later.

Tom Peters...needless to say, though it seems so very important to say, I utterly defer to your wisdom, experience and years. I so thank you... sincerely.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 3, 2008 2:07 PM

Trevor... I am practicing to 'bend it' like David Beckham... 'center the kick' like Georgie Best... turn the full back inside out as I 'spin on a penny and shoot on goal' like Pele! I just might be EXCELLENT at all that by the time I am 100 OTHERWISE as the old rocker Joe Cocker sings in one of his best songs "I'll get by with a little help from my friends...."

Tom... You really got me wondering, yet again, what the future holds for my two boys (Albert is 19 - he is studying biological science with a focus on animal genetics at University - while Gerrard is 14 and who the hell knows anything about a young teenage boy (???) but he currently excels at Volleyball plus Maths/Science... Over the next 100 years what will their consumption patterns tell us about their lives and the new industries that will come to dominate THEIR century - the C21st.. As you know, from my previous comments here, I believe the world is in good hands with the coming generations....

It is possible both Albert and Gerrard will have the opportunity to live another 100 years - a truly awesome idea... This thought inevitably led me to speculating about how many solar hot water heaters, hydrogen powered vehicles, trips into space (or sub orbital flights), trips to all regions of the world, virtual friends made, social networks built on Ning, contributions to social peace and harmony on earth, breakthrough ideas in animal genetics or to the subtle art of playing professional Volleyball executed, ideas/actions that lead to the betterment of humans on this planet, viral marketing companies supported by them and their friends, number of days of sheer happiness with family and friend on this planet they will experience....

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at May 3, 2008 5:22 PM

Beautiful opening, Richard! I'm not sure if for me the notion is living a super long life or living the life that I have daily in health, joy, accomplishment and peace, having no regrets. It is also my desire to live in a way not that is mistake free or sinless (this is simply not possible), but one that is real and honest. Integrity is not the absence of these things but the acknowledgment of them and the effort to correct them. I agree with Martin Luther King about longevity. He said...

"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Going up to the mountain and having eyes to see is so important. These eyes will assist us in guiding those who will come after us. "The coming of the Lord" referenced above could include the way we as a "people" globally work to solve issues such as the environment, race, gender, equal pay for equal work, world hunger, access to capital, good educational systems for all, etc. With billions of people yet to be a part of the global economy, there are many options for young people globally.

The lack of opportunity or options do not concern me. There will ALWAYS be both opportunity and options. What concerns me is that if young people do not see examples of integrity at home and at large we are failing them. (All of the mismanagement and scandals of the last 10 years or so do not help.) To simply imagine that young people will naturally make good decisions without leadership of integrity is to assume too much.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 3, 2008 6:44 PM

Good to know you are practising Richard :-)

I see so many fantastic young people in my life that I am very optimistic that the likes of your two boys will rise above the mediocrity of example set by many leaders in our business and political world of today.

Youngsters will hopefully be influenced by examples such as Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela when they search for integrity.

How sad that among those still living on that list no one is under 80 – that tells me a lot in relation to Judith’s excellent comment …. ‘What concerns me is that if young people do not see examples of integrity at home and at large we are failing them. (All of the mismanagement and scandals of the last 10 years or so do not help.) To simply imagine that young people will naturally make good decisions without leadership of integrity is to assume too much..’ - well said Judith!

Where are our current Icons of integrity?

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 3, 2008 7:52 PM

Trevor... It is so hard to practice my exquisite 'football' skills at present because, as you know, I only have one good leg.. But all that is improving quickly now so I will be a definite asset to your 100+ team, I promise, when the game comes around...

Judith... Thanks for your comments... For me too it is the quality of a life not the length of it that matters... There are so many people who are inspirational leaders today, some famous but most not, that do serve as EXCELLENT examples for my boys... Charlie Rose has introduced me (through his programmes on PBS) to many outstanding people in science, medicine, technology, health care, academia, government, politics, media, and social cohesion...

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at May 3, 2008 10:34 PM

Might I propose that with all this massive spending power we can aim somwhere other than being the centre of someone's marketing focus, as pleasant as that is. Let's GIVE IT AWAY, let's do some good with it, endow something, help somebody, let's put future generations in awe over what we left behind for them, what we managed to change for the better. Yes, we've arrived. So now we can show that's a good thing to a few (million/billion) people who need us more than the car salesperson does. Instead of talking about whom we can learn from, how about us teaching, by example?

Yours from the pulpit...

Posted by Rob at May 4, 2008 12:02 PM

We can begin, Rob, with clearing up the national debt we are leaving to future generations, beginning with personal responsibility at home. Giving things away from a social standpoint to those who simply cannot fend for themselves such as children and seniors would be laudable.

While I very much believe in giving back and in creating social private agencies, along with government inclusion, I would be more for teaching adults ways by which they can live and produce for themselves. "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for the rest of his life."

While we're on this topic of individualism, let me say that I think it's a myth to believe that we pull ourselves up by our own boot straps. Does one ever really do this? I believe that we are always helpers one of another and that we always receive from others, even if it's intellectual property alone; this property, I might add, is tantamount to teaching a man to fish.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 4, 2008 2:44 PM

Rob - that is a brilliant comment - your ‘pulpit’ is fine by me my friend. You are so right … Wouldn’t it be a better measure to say most 50 plus folks give over half their money to starving children rather than boasting that most 50 plus folks buy 7 cars in the second half of their life?! (How pathetic is that by the way as any sort of measure of consideration for a loving, compassionate, caring, society at peace with itself?!) Sad to say Rob, ‘what we have we hold’ seems the dominant culture. In the words of Archbishop Helder Camara; "When I feed the poor, I'm called a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, I'm called a communist."

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 4, 2008 3:09 PM

Trevor...while it is praiseworthy that those over 50 have found it in their hearts to give to the poor, it is not laudable if these same ones have not taught those who are coming after them to do so. This was, in part, my point above. It is simply not enough to prepare or in the discussion now to give for yourselves. Lessons are given both by example and mentorship.

Americans give billions of dollars worldwide to charity every year. There is something to say for this. The dominant culture in the realm of giving may not be doing so badly after all, and its technological advances have spun a great economic boom that continues to date. Just look at commerce being generated by the Internet. A mixture of giving and teaching is vital.

I appreciate the leftist notion from the good Archbishop, but are we still dealing in Cold War idealogy? We may have evolved to a greater deal beyond this.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 4, 2008 4:10 PM

Judith - Mmmmmmm leftist? – Now there is a word not often used these days. I would describe it as caring for fellow citizens instead of putting individual gain first. If that is ‘leftist’ then I am proud to be a ‘leftist.’ I am also proud to say Britain gives billions of pounds to charity every year but as Bono famously said ‘It is not a CHARITY issue it is a JUSTICE issue that 20000 people die every day – mainly children – due to extreme poverty.’ As regards role models and teaching subsequent generations, many of our behaviours, attitudes and opinions are undoubtedly formed through interaction and observation of older role models in families and in our work but not exclusively. I am very optimistic that our young people are in fact much more in tune with a socialist view of the world than capitalists would have us believe. Millions of young people are doing fantastic voluntary work all over the world and I would turn it on its head a bit and say that many 'boomers' – including me – can learn at least as much from people younger than ourselves as we can from people older than ourselves. Oh how I love an interesting debate on a Sunday evening …. Thanks again Judith

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 4, 2008 4:38 PM

You have been led, Trevor, just where you have gone. Amid the socialist leftist just right of communist (that might be a bit extreme!)idealogy above there is goodness and this I applaud. You are a good man.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 4, 2008 4:54 PM

PS Judith 'We may have evolved to a greater deal beyond this.' A 'greater deal beyond this' would I guess be such things as;

*Owning 7 cars per boomer after the age of 50.
*Spending more on ice cream per year in Europe than it would cost to provide a primary education for every child in the world.

Are these things we should be proud of while kids are dying for lack of food?

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 4, 2008 4:57 PM

Your last comment, in fact, Trevor, is a bit of rehash. Much of which I agree.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 4, 2008 4:58 PM

Thanks Judith - I well remember being told when I was a student at 15 that we are all socialists until we reach 30 years of age and then we grow up - I guess I'm still not grown up at 55! :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 4, 2008 5:03 PM

Trevor...I utterly refuse to get into a full blown discussion of why one should or shouldn't buy additional cars when there are people dying in the world of hunger. There are many reasons for these problems that have a lot to do with tribalism etc. Many private enterprsies have been assisting in these areas for many years. I am NOT an expert on such matters, but such deep rooted problems are far more complicated than what meets the eye. To think so is extremely naive. Throwing money at a problem will not necessarily fix it. This subject or world hunger is presently closed for me. What was the subject of the post?

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 4, 2008 5:10 PM

I agree Judith - lets move on :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 4, 2008 5:30 PM

It seems I should have said soapbox rather than pulpit. My point was not intended as a Political one, but what we do with money on a grand scale is inescapably political. I'm just suggesting we shift the perspective of the post, not change the subject. What sprung to mind, as Tom went on about Boomers and Geezers was that "we" (I'm one) have it within us to be much more than a business opportunity and a market, if we choose to see ourselves that way. Spending power is power, and we can frame that in a variety of ways, not just commercial. Available time and life experience are resources we can put to good use for others.

As one example of perspective, gap years, VSO, Peace Corps tend to be positioned as the things you do when you're young and just out of school or college; older folk help out the local charity bookstore, run soup kitchens, work on flag days, gentle Home Front stuff. Now why is that? What about a post- (or mid-) career gap year for B-Gs doing some work on aid projects overseas? Teaching English, computing, hygiene, business skills? That would really clear out the just-retired blues. It might also shift some entrenched attitudes and open a few minds.

Posted by Rob at May 5, 2008 1:14 AM

Rob...your comment immediately put me in the mind of the Cool Friend interview with Rosabeth Moss Kanter. Please go back and read through that interview. Erik does such a great job with this interview, as with all others. But what you will discover in the interview is that her intiatives and research indicate that more retired people are joining organizations that align themselves with others to assist in an array of solutions both nationally and internationally. It is a great interview which covers some of the very salient points you make above.

Regarding your pulpit or soapbox, in the African American church the pulpit becomes more than such and has been historically used to this very day, as you may have noticed here in the US with our hotly contested political primary, to make both political and righteous points which to some are not distinguishable. This is true whether you agree or not with with the points being made by the good reverend, whomever he or she may be.

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Having said that, your position on a pulpit or soapbox is appreciated, although we may, as your congregation or audience, agree or disagree, passionately or passively. This is what freedom of speech used to be about, which in essence brings about change, rather than demonizing speakers for whom many believe to be speaking prophetically, more than quackery. Though, of late, I'm glad that a certain particular good reverend, who shall remain unnamed, is sidelined. (Prophets are human too and not above egotism.) There is a saying that says "great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand wisdom."

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 5, 2008 3:14 AM

TP...the photos of your trip are beautiful. I especially like the image of the well-balanced physically fit senior commerical boatman, the beautiful blue of the sea with the mountains in the distance, and in another post the well-seasoned men presumbably during a seista of sorts perhaps discussing relevant and not so relevant things. Thanks for sharing. It gives us a birdseye view of the beauty of your trip, somehow placing us there. Will you share others?

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 5, 2008 3:48 AM

Thanks Judith. I will seek out the RMK interview asap.

Posted by Rob at May 5, 2008 4:08 AM

Pleasure, Rob! I think you'll enjoy the interview and find that RMK is in agreement with your notions of service. I actually sought out a branch here in Michigan to volunteer, though I am not near retirement. There are, in fact, an array of programs for various interests and time committments. I am somewhat stretched to the limit, yet I find time to do what I think is most important. Don't know where you're situated globally but the intiatives have international programs too. Best.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 5, 2008 4:55 AM

With all this money at the above 50 age group, what does this mean for technology and connecting with these consumers? How do they use technology?
How are they connected? Why would young people in advertising miss reaching them?

Posted by Jacoline Loewen at May 25, 2008 6:23 PM