I think a lot about millennials. As a consultant in the field of financial services technology, I foresee a significant change that will occur in the next eight to twelve years as millennials replace baby boomers as primary customers.
Its not just happening in banking; it’s happening in every sector of our economy. Here’s a fact you may not have heard: in 2015 millennials passed baby boomers as the predominant generation on the planet. Millennials had already passed baby boomers in the workforce in 2013. So understanding what millennials want, how they will consume goods and services, and how they respond to marketing messages is paramount.
There are some who describe millennials as spoiled. They point to examples that indicate that millennials as a generation have a “me first,” “everyone gets a trophy,” “somebody owes me something mindset.” Well, I certainly have run into millennials who exhibit those traits. But I’ve met many who seem to be grounded. If you are raising a millennial, closely examine the values and morals you are instilling in them. Don’t raise a “me first” millennial and you won’t wind up with one. If you are a millennial and you think that you deserve something without having put in hard work, can’t face rejection and continue on, or exhibit the equivalent of a temper tantrum when you don’t get everything you want, then I implore you to spend the early part of the new year examining what type of individual you plan to be. Maybe your parents coddled you and you are a bit spoiled. Fine. But you can choose, right now, to become a person of integrity and hard work, with responsibility for his or her own choices.
In other words, to become Grounded. I hope you take up that challenge.