Passing the Torch from Baby Boomers to Millennials to Gen Z

Whether baby boomers can accept it or not, a changing of the guard has taken place with  millennials and the up and coming Gen Z generations leading the charge.

They are not thinking or behaving the way they are expected to.  Perhaps it's because the "old way" of doing things doesn't work for them.  Most baby boomers had traditions and values passed down to them from their parents.  Not true with millennials because a lot of their baby boomer parents were too busy focusing on careers, keeping up with the Joneses, and being helicopter parents.  

So now we have two younger generations rising up to make their own mark in the world.  And they're doing just that.  It shouldn't surprise us that social media and social media campaigns have inspired them in ways their older parents and grandparents can't seem to understand or appreciate.

For instance, according to an article written by NerdWallet, when a number of young activists learned that Wells Fargo was among those providing financing towards the construction of the South Dakota Access pipeline at Standing Rock, they immediately withdrew their money and deposited it elsewhere.  The same goes for Justin Garrett Moore who transferred all of his savings to a black owned bank and spearheaded a #BankBlack campaign.

Soon television executives, sports owners and venues may feel the brunt of this new generational power.  A report released by L.E.K. Consulting indicates millennial and Gen Z sports fans are bypassing cable television and totally abandoning traditional sports for online video game tournaments and other "eSports." These changes are likely to have implications on viewership for professional sports leagues like the NFL, MLB and NASCAR, and networks like ESPN, Fox Sports and individual teams.

"The old model is under pressure," says Alex Evans, Managing Director in L.E.K.'s Sports practice and a co-author of the study. "Traditional sports organizations rely on TV, especially cable TV, to attract new fans and to generate revenue now through ownership of regional sports networks. But they will likely come under increasing pressure to change their model, especially 5 to 10 years down the road. 

Perhaps it's time the older dogs learn some new tricks in an effort to stay relevant.

From Baby Boomer Bev to Senior Influencer

A lot has happened since my last post (October 2022), I turned 66 and am now a part of the social security crowd.  (And believe me, it's CROWDED!)  

My husband and I took two wonderful trips between June and December:  Montego Bay, Jamaica and Las Vegas.  We wanted to go back to Vegas to see how much had changed since we visited about 17 years ago (it was the first trip we took together before we got married).  

The biggest change in my life, however, is being classified as an "Influencer" on the various social media platforms as "Auntie Bev--the Vocabulary Builder." It's funny because I recall hearing young people talk about wanting to be an "Influencer" as a career path.  

Influencer definition:  a person or something that influences another.

I never intentionally set out to be a so-called influencer, although my goal for doing what I do is to help others build their vocabulary and communication skills.  If anybody is an influencer, I would say it's my grandson because HE is the one who INFLUENCED me to step out into the social media space and share my knowledge of vocabulary.  As a result, in the past year or so, I have garnered  more than 1.5 million followers through Facebook, Instagram and TikTok (combined).  

What point am I trying to make?  

Don't allow your age to hinder you.  I've seen more and more older adults sharing their creativity and knowledge.  You might be a great cook or you might want to share inspirational messages.  If you have a pet, share it with viewers.  Have you ever heard of pet influencers?  Yes, they really do exist and animal videos are the hottest videos out there.

The internet is vast.  There's room for everybody.  If you're serious about trying to attract a following, keep at it and don't get discouraged by lack of views initially.

Finally......

If you have a gift, share it.  Your vibe will attract your tribe.