Blog Posts

RETIREMENT-REALLY?

1/14/2015

My good friend and business partner, Jim, took part in a research project attended by people all over the age of 55. A local reaseach firm put together the project for a client and was intended to focus on people who might be referred to as '"seniors". The identiy of the client was not revealed to those attending but, per Jim, it was pretty apparent that the client was a financial services firm.
I am not here to comment on financial service firms and their products. What grabbed my attention was Jim telling me how the individual conducting the survey/project could not grasp that the majority of those attending were not "retired" or interested in being "retired". I am using retired in this post to refer to the state where an individual completes his/her life's work and starts to do what he/she always wanted to do. Many people have longed for this period of their lives. No work to go to, no kids to take care of, no responsibilities at all. I understand as this has been the accepted idea of retirement for years. Not objecting to this type of retirement at all. Some strive for it and love it. Others, though, find themselves with a different idea for this period of life!
The root of the word retire is to withdraw or to pull back. The concept of withdrawing from one's active life-style after years of working and struggling might be attractive to some. More power to them. Many, and I think the majority, of people considered seniors have a different idea of how to live the last third of their lives. Some are continuing to work, others are starting new careers or businesses, others explore ideas and ways of living. This generation of seniors, the boomers, has a different approach to "retirement".
The boomer generation is not playing by the old rules. More seniors are continuing in their employment. Boomers are starting their own businesses at a pace faster than any other generation. Seniors are taking steps to improve their health, both spiritual and physical. I guess a good way to express my idea is that the boomer generation does not intend to withdraw from life or to pull back from all that life has to offer.
The point of all this is why did the presenter at the research study attended by Jim find herself unable to shift her perspective as to what was of interest to the attendees. Her ideas were fixed upon the idea that retirement in the old sense was the goal sought to be reached. Whether it was her own perspective or a directive from her controllers doesn't really matter.
I just wonder how much more valuable the study would have been if the presenter could actually listen to those in attendance. I don't blame the framers of the study. They are relying on a preconception of "old people" and were unable to shift when presented with something different. Time might make a difference, I don't know. I do know that if the members of our generation continue to live life to the fullest and not withdraw that changes will occur in how they are observed and approached. No lecturing, no expecting changes in others, just good old fashioned living life to the fullest.

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THE BOOMER LEGACY!

12/18/2014

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The boomer generation is upon us. It did start some years ago and is roaring forward like a runaway locomotive. The make up of this generation is widely varied. There is no real constant that binds us together with the exception of the period of time during which we were born. The mere fact, though, of the time period of our birth has been something studied by those interested in demographics and especially those who make their living planning market strategies.
For a good number of years, our generation was the object of marketing plans intending to appeal to us as we were a very large population that worked, played, procreated and spent money. A marketers dream. We were studied and romanced as it was thought that we had the means to make or break a company, a product, movement or an idea. We had money, time and an intention to live life as we wanted to live life. One just needed to get our attention and appeal to our desires and wants. I am sure that fortunes were made or lost based upon how successful one was to grabbing the attention of the boomers and thus their wallets.
Something has changed, though, over the last ten or fifteen years. The marketing and advertising titans have abandoned the boomers. No longer are we the darlings of commerce but rather at best an after thought in any marketing strategy or campaign. We are not the darlings any longer. I have read many different explanations why this has happened ranging from an idea that we are done living life to its fullest to the thought that our likes and preferences are already established and that we will not change. Our interest in new and exciting technologies, places to go, things to do has been lost as the thinking goes.
Studies in the US show how the boomer generation feels as though they are ignored by marketers and companies in their approach to appealing to the buying public. This in the face of facts re numbers of boomers who still lead active lives and control most of the money and capital not only here but elsewhere. A recent study conducted in the UK indicates that people in their 50's and 60's feel misrepresented by various business sectors including retail, health, travel, leisure, money and fashion. The boomer generation constitutes about 29% of Britain's adult population and controls about 80% of the wealth in Britain.
The survey/study also revealed that 70% of boomers regularly surf the internet looking for the best prices, about 69% use the internet to research travel options and many book their travel arrangements online. Apple is one company that appreciates the boomer generation as they recognize the high percentage of boomers that use their products.
So where does this lead me in this post. I entitled it "The Boomer Legacy". My thought was that are we going to pass into history as a generation that aged like all those before us? Are we going to be ignored, belittled and discounted as a vital part of society? I don't think so. I am not advocating a mass movement such as when we protested the war in Viet Nam. I am not suggesting we march in the streets and demand attention. What I am saying is that change will begin to take place as we, as individuals, live more active and meaningful lives as "seniors". Government, the "marketing gods" and society in general do not consider us vital to society. However, we do consider ourselves vital and can begin to change the outlook of others if we actually live fulfilling lives, not lives of apology, regret and inactivity. It is up to each one of us to change our life. It is not a task to be given over to the government, our families or our neighbors. It is our responsibility to undertake the kind of living that makes a difference. When we do this, things will change.

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SENIOR DISSIPATION OR SENIOR EMANCIPATON?

12/2/2014

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As a member of the "senior set" I have to ask myself if the balance of my life, my final chapter, is to be one of dissipation or emancipation. I am very cognizant of the fact that many might disagree with my choice of these two nouns. Trust me, I am using them to convey a specific message.
Dissipation as a noun has many meanings. The definition I use here is "a wasting by misuse". Liberation is the definition I use for emancipation. I set out the definitions I am using to set the frame work of the thoughts that have been mulling around in my brain. These thoughts have centered on how I am going to live the balance of my life.
My business partner and co-founder of Odyssey, Jim Baker, and I have discussed at length the quandry with which many seniors are faced. Often we feel, and rightly so, that our worth to society and those closest to us has greatly diminished. Politicians really only consider us as a voting block before an election, we are no longer the, or one of the, primary wage earners in the family unit, our present or past employers often merely tolerate us as we are no longer a vital part of the machinery of commerce. Others have judged our worth to society as declining, fast becoming a burden to those around us.
Advertisers and marketers roll out stereo types of "older folks" barely able to walk, communicate and certainly not using the newest in technology available. We still think our IBM Selectric is the greatest invention of all time! The question begs to be asked who is the biggest culprit in this drama of life. I believe in my life it is me. If I accept this stereo typing of me, if I buy into the idea that my value as a human being and my ability to contribute is much limited then I can look into the mirror and place the blame. This is why I would say I am leading a life of dissipation if I continue to accept these ideas of ineptitude and in fact foster such ideas by my continued attitudes and behaviors. I am "wasting my life by misuse".
My goal is to live a life of emancipation. I want to be liberated from all those things that influence my thinking in a debilitating way, to expel the impediments that hold me back. I want to live a life that is fulfilling not just full. I don't want to wait around and be part of life as an after thought.
What Jim and I have done is to develop a program that is meant to address the final phase of our lives. That time in life when the kids are adults living their own lives, We are retired, semi-retired or perhaps phased-out of our employment. Our lives are not so much directed by forces from outside of ourselves, in fact our lives are much more our own to direct ourselves. The question I pose to myself is how am I going to live that life. It is hard for me to believe that I will get maximum enjoyment by sitting back in my lounge chair flipping through the cable stations trying to find something interesting and all the time complaining that no one seems to want to involve me in their lives! Well, I can't imagine anything I would have to contribute if my life is one of discontent and stagnation.
So the question I pose to myself is how to make changes that allow me to lead a fulfilling life, one that has meaning and allows me to be involved. My thought is that if my life has meaning, if I am happy and content, perhaps those around me just might find it to some degree desirable to have my company. So we have a program that we think addresses some things that, if dealt with, just might provide the opportunity for us to write a great final chapter to our lives. A chapter that represents a life that is fulfilling not just full. Give our website a visit and see what we are offering. You just might find yourself and your life on a new course. Visit us at www.odysseywise.com. Have a good night.

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GOOD MORNING!

11/26/2014

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I find myself at a place where I am not needing to get going quickly in the morning. I am semi-retired in that I do not work for anybody. I have no office to rush off to as I work from my home. I have no kids at home who need to get to school or off to some event. No spouse pushing me to hurry up so we can start our day. I have always been a morning person up early and anxious to start my day. Lately, though, I have been more "relaxed" in my approach to my morning and I am not sure I like this new attitude.

I have always enjoyed my mornings at home preparing for my day. Normally, I was full of anticipation of what would transpire throughout the day. No doubt there were times when some consternation existed anticipating a stressful presentation to be made, bad weather or an appointment with my dentist. However, no matter what my day had in store for me, I always had a good energy that I really appreciated and treasured.

Lately, though, I have not had that that vibrant energy and anticipation as I started my day. I kind of miss it and thought that I might do some searching for ways to make me once again a "morning person". I came across an article on line at www.entrepreneur.com that provided me with some simple suggestions to put more vitality in my mornings, to improve my atti8tude and outlook. I tried to relocate the article to give proper attribution to the author but was unable to locate the article. It will have to suffice to say that further credit would be given if possible.

The article made five simple suggestions on how I might move in the direction of once again being a morning person. I will list them below.

1. I need to set my intention the night before prior to going to sleep. If my thoughts are negative about my tomorrow, the chances are that I will have a negative attitude when I awaken. However, if my thoughts are positive about the upcoming day, chances are I will have a positive attitude about what lies ahead.

2. Upon awakening, brush my teeth and drink at least eight ounces of water. Sleeping overnight often leaves us dehydrated which can cause fatigue. I need to replenish my liquid supply to overcome fatigue and freshen up my mouth to start on the right path.

3. Move my alarm clock across the room if I use one. Harder to hit the snooze button and roll over if I have to actually get out of bed to silence the aggravating noise. A good friend of mine also suggested that I should try to eliminate any ambient light in my bedroom as it tends to lessen the quality of my sleep. I have a digital alarm clock so I cover it up with cloth to block the light.

4. Prior to jumping in the shower, do some physical exercise. It could be stretching, yoga, tai chi or anything to get the body functioning and instill some energy in my morning. The idea that I should jump in the shower to "wake up" then do my stretching and tai chi did not work for me as the exercise rarely happened..

5. Finally, set aside some quiet time for contemplation. You could meditate or use some other practice to center yourself. A formal practice is not necessary but can prove helpful. I am a Reiki adherent and find that a self-administered, short Reiki treatment yields wonderful results.

These are the suggestions contained in the article. I have been incorporating the suggestions into my daily routine for about a month now. I have seen improvement and plan on continuing. If you have some practices or ideas on how to re-energize one's mornings, leave a comment and share your ideas with us.

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LIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT!

8/11/2014

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I believe that many, if not most, of us do know what our purpose is in life. It will vary from individual to individual which is great. Your purpose doesn't have to match up with mine. That would make a rather dull world for all of us. Our personal purpose is individual to each of us which is how it should be. Your purpose might be to improve the environment or to be the best at your given profession or job. My mother was very much dedicated to raising her children as best she could and in later life being very involved in the lives of her grandchildren. She had many other varied interests and pursuits but her children and grandchildren were especially near and dear to her heart.
It is great to have a purpose(s) in life but it doesn't really get me anywhere if I an not making a commitment to that purpose. For me that means to dedicate time, attention and energy to my purpose, to commit myself to pursuing the end game. Am I willing to walk the talk or just to talk the talk.
So now I have determined what purpose(s) I have in my life. I have made that decision to commit sufficient time and energy to pursue my purpose. Now I do need one more element-conviction. I believe that I must live with conviction if I am to experience any real satisfaction as I age. In my youth, it was much too easy to "talk the talk" as I could always start tomorrow as I foresaw many tomorrows in my future. However, as I have aged I find that I have a certain restlessness present when I merely live life. I have experienced a shift in my life from one being directed by requirements of others (my employer, raising a family, being part of the in-crowd) to one being directed by my own requirements. I no longer answer to an employer, my children are raised and on their own and the in-crowd doesn't really matter much anymore.
What does matter to me is living a life that is satisfying and fulfilling. This is where conviction enters into my life. I can have all the purposes and commitments imaginable but if I am not living with conviction than I am not living a fulfilling life. For me, living with conviction means to take responsibility for my actions. Am I taking responsibility to pursue my purpose and commitment to that purpose? How am I walking the talk in my everyday life? This all implies and requires action on my part. Thomas Carlyle said: "Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct." So I must actually do something not just think about doing something but to actually do it. Our happiness and legacy are at stake here. I read something the other day that I found pertinent. I don't know who wrote it or where I read it. I wish I did remember as I would like to give proper attribution to the author. This is what I read: "There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different than the things we do." Think about it.

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FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN MARKETING TO BOOMERS!

5/23/2014

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This is the last of a series of three posts addressing marketing to the boomer generation of products and services by companies and organizations. Our previous posts have hopefully supplied a basis for understanding that the efforts to date have been woefully inadequate. Following are some considerations that should improve the results for such companies and organizations. The list is not all inclusive but should serve as a starting point to navigate the way to greater success.

1. The 24 to 49 age group has long been the primary target for marketers and organizations seeking to capitalize on the basis of the largest and wealthiest generation. The theory has been that this generation, the baby boomers, will yield the greatest return and involvement for the company or organization. This has been a solid and beneficial direction for about thirty to forty years. However, some facts should be considered when planning for the future. First, the last of this generation is now turning 50! Yes, the sought after boomer generation is now fifty and older. The marketing efforts which should be directed at them are still aimed at the 24 to 49 year old market which is not nearly as large or wealthy. The boomer generation feels as though they are being ignored, not considered, when marketing campaigns are conceived and executed. CONSIDERATION: The coveted market for marketing is now the 50 plus market; just look at the statistics.

2. The boomer generation does not consider itself old or aging! They consider themselves more "evolving" but definitely not elderly. Boomers believe that they still have a lot of life to live and intend to live that fulfilling life. Products and services presented in a way that emphasizes what the debilitating aspects of aging or what those over fifty are no longer able to do are not well received. Branding and naming a product in a way that is appealing to boomers can greatly increase profitability and involvement.

3. Boomers have been there and done that already. Hyperbole and grandiosity do not impress them. Boomers are not interested in "keeping up with the Joneses". They are not out to impress society with their purchases or life-style. They need to see the value of a product and/or service and how it will benefit them. They want to feel an emotional attachment to the product or service.

4. The use of copywriters, marketers and sales personnel who are of the generation would be advisable. Twenty and thirty year old copywriters don't have the understanding or knowledge of the life experiences of the boomer generation, past and present, to connect on the level necessary to do justice to your product or service. I am not talking about putting some boomers on a focus group panel. I am encouraging active participation in the process with a voice that is heeded.

5. Prior generations of seniors were perceived as seriously reducing their spending in their senior years and this perception was largely correct. This current generation of seniors, though, does not fit that description. Former generations faced financial, social and cultural difficulties that were escaped by the current boomers. This generation is the "me" generation. This generation was presented with opportunities and benefits that no prior generation was granted. This generation has no intention of strolling calmly into their retirement or the final stages of their life sitting in the lounge chair with their remote in hand. They have every intention of continuing on a pursuit of enjoying life and experiencing all it has to offer.

If you are interested in more information along these lines, please contact us through our website, http://www.odysseywise.com.

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PURCHASING POWER NOT TO BE IGNORED!

5/19/2014

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My last post introduced the subject of common misconceptions about the boomer market. This post is intended to bring to the attention of boomers and to businesses and marketers desiring to do business with the boomer generation some facts and tendencies of this demographic. The boomer generation is make up of individuals born between 1946 and 1964. It constitutes the largest age demographic in the United States and constitutes the most affluent purchasing block. This post is intended to educate boomers as to the power they wield as a collective and to inform marketers of some of the economic facts about this demographic.

Below is a list of some facts that both boomers and marketers should keep in mind when considering the boomer generation:

1. Hold 70% of disposable income in the United States.

2. Purchase 65.2% of new cars.

3. Purchase 80% of luxury travel.

4. Represent 40% of all customers who pay for wireless service.

5, Are the leading consumers in 119 of 123 Consumer Packaged Goods categories.

6. Have $2.4 trillion in annual income.

7. Outspend other generations by an estimated $400 billion each year on consumer products and services.

8. Will inherit an estimated $14 to $20 during the next twenty years.

9. Spend $7 billion online annually.

10. Close to 100% own computers.

What does all this mean to the boomer and to the marketer? Well, for the boomer it means that you have no need to feel ignored as a consumer due to your age and your perceived spending habits. You don't need to feel as though your needs and wants as consumers are ignored by businesses and their marketing branches. For businesses seeking to tap into the "senior" market, you might just evaluate your product lines and marketing schemes with an eye on how you might appeal to this powerful segment of the buying public.

My next post will address some common misconceptions made when approaching the "senior" market. It will also contain some suggestions that will assist you in tailoring your products and marketing plans that will show respect for the members of this economic powerhouse of a demographic marketpl

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BLOOMBERG GOT IT RIGHT!

5/12/2014

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     Matthew Boyle, in a post for Bloomberg.com dated September 17, 2013, addressed a question that we at Odyssey have long struggled with and have discussed at length in our book "Odyssey: An Epic Journey". His article is entitled "Aging Boomers Befuddle Marketers Aching for $15 Trillion Prize". His article is well researched and he appears to understand the problem facing businesses and organizations that would like to do business extensively with the boomer generation. The problem is that the businesses, organizations and their marketing honchos do not understand with whom they are dealing. Many if not most perceive the current boomers as replicas of seniors of prior generations. They are content to stay at home and "experience" their elder years; their primary interest is finding the right senior community to call home; they purchase the same products that they always purchased; their interest is to withdraw from active participation in life and to finally just "relax".

     While the generalizations listed above might apply to some boomers, it certainly does not consider the vast majority of boomers who are intent on changing the definition of this stage of life just as they have changed how the world viewed them at all stages of their lives from their college years through their early business careers to the present day. This generation has done things differently and they fully intend to continue and create a new definition of how seniors lead their lives.

     This short post is only meant to introduce you to the problem. I will be posting two additional pieces in the coming days which will be more lengthy and will include facts that are often overlooked by businesses, organizations and marketers when designing and promoting products intended for the boomer generation and some ideas that might be considered by all dealing with boomers that will appeal to the senior market resulting in more sales, better service and a more thorough understanding of the populace they seek to serve. Hope to be back with you soon.

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A SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE!

3/13/2014

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I have arrived at a place in life where a shift has occurred. I am approaching 65 years old and I no longer am involved in life in the same manner as in the past. Not to say that I am not involved, it is a different involvement.

The past, for me, involved being an employee or at least being responsible to others for my work product, being a parent concerned with the welfare of and trying to be responsible for the betterment of my children and trying to find my place in society, where did I belong. Also, and I hate to admit this, how I was perceived by others. I would have liked to imagine myself immune to worrying about the image I projected to others but I must be honest here and admit that I did concern myself with how others thought of me.

As I look back at my life I find that in fact most of my thoughts and actions were directed towards satisfying needs or requirements that were outer directed. Did I satisfy my employer or supervisor? Am I going to get that promotion? Am I meeting my obligations to my children? Are my parents proud of me? Do I drive the right car to impress others? Am I thought of as successful and worthy by my friends and neighbors? All of my thoughts and actions were at the very least shaded by the concerns I had as to whether or not I was good enough in fulfilling my obligations and projecting the desired image of myself. In other words, my thoughts, efforts and actions were designed to satisfy concerns that were outer directed, to meet the imagined or real expectations of others.

I am in a different place now. I do not answer to an employer or supervisor. My parents are both deceased. My children are all grown and prospering and probably beginning to wonder if they might have to some day need to provide care for me. I also no longer find myself thinking that I have anyone out there to impress and their opinions of me don't really matter that much.

So what is left? My life now is one that is inner directed. I wake up in the morning with a new opportunity to pursue my interests and passions. I can start to write the next great American novel. I can learn how to hit a sand wedge and how far it is supposed to go. I can take time to volunteer for a cause that means something to me. I can understand all of the excuses I have used throughout my life to avoid taking responsibility for my happiness and contentment are no longer valid. I can sit at home in my easy chair, remote in hand and resent that my children have lives of their own, that I have no co-workers to rely on my genius for getting things done or that social media has taken over the world and I feel left behind. My choice. Or perhaps I can begin to take responsibility for my life, to examine myself and start to plot a future that is inner directed and not reliant upon others to make me relevant.

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LIKE IT USED TO BE?

2/24/2014

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I have noticed many commercials recently on television that address my stage of life as perceived by "creative" minds hired to influence how I feel about myself and thus convince me to purchase a product.

You just may be familiar with the scores of commercials that deal with ED or with low testosterone. The commercials seem to dominate the airwaves, at least on the channels that I might normally watch. The message as I view it is that things used to be so much better when I was younger and in the "prime of my life". The pitch is that products are now available to enable me to act, live and perform as a much younger man, to be like I used to be.

The implication of all of this is that I am greatly unhappy with my life as I currently live. I am after all 64 years old! That can't be much fun at all in the minds of the thirty something copywriters who view people of my generation as old, weak and boring! The perception is that we would love to return to the good old days and run faster, jump higher, stay up into the wee hours of the morning and improve our sex lives.

I would like to let those copywriters and their clients know that life isn't quite so bad as they might think. Granted I don't run as fast, jump as high or live life of romance or love to the degree I used to in the past. But that is ok with me. I really have no desire to return to my 30's or 40's or whatever stage of life might appear enticing.

My life is pretty good as it is. I have lived a fairly long and productive life. I had some very good times and some extremely trying times when all seemed hopeless. But you know something, I came through it all and I am grateful for the life I lived and for the life I have now. I will write more in my future posts about things I do to keep me appreciati

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