If you were born between the years of 1946 – 1964, you fall into, not only the largest segment of our population, you are a part of the most influential group as well. Over 75 million people, in the United States, make up this hugely powerful and major impacting group. Following business trends and how they are affected, one looks to the Baby Boomers, so where are they now and what are they doing?
The post WW II years were an interesting time in the world. In the United States, we had just won a war, the economy was good, life was improving and there were hundreds of thousands of soldiers coming home with a newfound freedom and the desire to start a family. And that they did. In the years of 1946 – 1964 children were springing up in households across America. The interest in having the proverbial 2.5 children, a white picket fenced home and a couple pets, flourished. This group has had more impact on the worlds economy than any before it and likely any to follow. Why?
There were great advances being made in a multitude of industries. New things popped up all the time. The Baby Boomers seemed to going through their lives as one single unit. If the Boomers liked it, it was a hit. If they did not, it failed. But, for the companies that managed to figure that out, successes and billion dollar companies did everything they could to try to keep up with their voracious demands.
Because this crew were finding more and more things to do and try, there was a new need, into the 1960′s. This is about the time that the world started experiencing the huge impact this group would have. Music changed. It was no longer Elvis as the Boomers went International. The British Invasion, with the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Herman’s Hermits and The Dave Clark Five, came to America. The concert halls filled. Record sales were exhilarated and in 1962 when the Beatles hit the Ed Sullivan Show, more people watched them than any program prior. It was because of the 75 million strong new generation.
As the Boomers grew up, they literally created the need for fast food. McDonalds, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken stores were all over the place. There was so much to do, that these kids wanted things and they wanted them quickly. These places were also great gathering locations and you would hundreds and sometimes thousands of kids just quietly, yes quietly, hanging out, sharing stories of their daily activities. This was huge. But they needed and wanted more.
As they got older, the pager industry provided them with a way to stay in touch. It was not perfect, but we all know what it led to, shortly thereafter. The cell provided this aggressive generation a way to get more done throughout the day. They could work on their way to work, work all day and even work some on their way home. It was perfect. Well, almost. If they were going to be productive after they left the office, then they would need an office at home too. Hence, the fax machine. It was an easy way to convey information, send contracts and again get more work done after work, so you have make more money.
After college, and lots of protesting, it was time to hit the job market. These future entrepreneurs, most did not know it yet, found that they did not have enough ways to stay in touch with the world. So, along comes the pager! Now you could stay in contact with anyone at anytime, day or night. You still had to stop to make a phone call, so you can only guess what would come next. And it did! The Cell phone industry was the perfect solution for this crew. They could work on their way to work, work at work and then work some more on their way home. It was perfect. Well, almost. How could they get information to their customers, quickly? Oh yes, the fax machine. Now, they could even work at home, after a full day of work.
Over time, that finally started to wear them down. Most were in their early 40′s, had made lots of money, but did not save much, and eventually the thought of getting older started to sink in. What will they do? Well, if 75 million people decide to make more impact they will, and they did. They decided that they were going to live longer and healthier than their parents. So, the new wave became Health Clubs. This makes sense. If you run out of time to earn money, then live longer so that you can catch up and have money to retire when you hit 70 or 75 yrs old. Take a look at how many senior citizens are CEO’s of huge companies and they still work everyday. And we are just seeing the first wave of Baby Boomers hitting their sixty’s right now. And because of this fight to not grow old, gracefully, the skin care and health food industries are experiencing greater growth than in any other time in their history.
Now, this concept has created more new markets. Hair coloring and hair transplants for men are in great demand. We could speak about Viagra, but that is for another day. This is all geared to the Baby Boomers refusing to grow old gracefully. But, there is one area that is causing some slow down. Anytime that you work or even play really hard for an extended period of time, you get worn out. It does not matter if you are 5 or 55 years old. The current situation for many of this era are having thoughts of a simpler time. They are remembering their childhood and the way things used to be. Why this is important is because it is making them a tad more cautious with their spending. If this becomes the new way of the world, the economy would have a much tougher time staying strong.
So, if you grew up during this time, it has been a life of wonderment. You have seen more advances than any other time in history. You have also seen some of the worst times as well. Assassinations of key figures, controversial governing of the country and more. In the end, as Jimmy Stewart says in the famous movie, It’s a Wonderful Life! There is much to do and plenty of time to do it, so have fun. Who will be the first 100 year old CEO? Likely, it will be someone born between 1946 – 1964.
Following world trends and how they are affected, one looks to the Baby Boomers, so where are they now and what are they doing? For one thing definitely buying super sassy Callaway Golf Bag .
Tags : baby boomer, lifestyle, Society