“Are you on Twitter yet?” The question came to me from a fellow boomer, who was part of the in-crowd on the “what’s next” technology frontier.
“Twitter is way cool, but what I’m really into now is Yelp,” I replied.
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Not all boomers would have the faintest notion of what we were talking about. But with 8 out of 10 boomers online every day, these types of conversations are becoming more and more common.
In fact, one new trend I’ve recently spotted is the advent of “technology coaches.” These are advisers who sit side by side with tech-hungry boomers in front of their computer screens, and guide them through the latest offerings and innovations. At this point, most of their clients are business executives who are smart to want to keep pace with their younger employees who were raised in the Internet world.
But it’s not only high-powered executives who are inspired to keep up. Women Sage, a non-profit association of boomer women headquartered in Orange County, recently hosted a session led by a techno-guru for its membership. And this is but one of many organizations targeted to boomers who have found this subject matter to be a popular draw.
And who is surprised? A lot of people, including marketers, who have accepted the quaint but pervasive notion that once people pass the big 5-0, they are set in their ways and unwilling to try new things.
It is true that our generation may have gotten somewhat stuck on The Beatles, the way our parents’ generation wore out their Frank Sinatra records. But when it comes to technology, the stereotype breaks down.
This is a generation that has technological change built into their DNA. Need proof? Brent Green in his highly recommended book “Marketing to Leading-Edge Baby Boomers” has put together the ultimate, awe-inspiring list of technological innovations that boomers have adopted in the course of their life-time. Here are some of the highlights:
• Slide Rules
• Handheld calculators
• Desktop computers
• Push-button, cordless and cell telephones
• Answering machines
• VCR’s
• ATM’s
• Cable TV
• CD Players
• Microwave ovens
• Photo copiers
• Faxes
• PDA’s
• Email and Internet
The evidence is irrefutable. Boomers shall not be left behind. You can Twitter at us or with us. We’ll be right there with you.
Carol Orsborn