Business Marketing

Where Is Gen Y?

Published

11 years ago

January 8, 2009

So we’ve all heard at least one place that Generation Y is huge, important, young, arrogant, etc. I’m Gen Y and I’m not the only person here who is, but I was doing a mind-catalog of others I know in the industry, and couldn’t think of too many other Gen Y professionals. There are a ton of Boomers and Generation X, but not much Gen Y.

People Buy From People They Trust

We’ve heard it all before, but if it holds true, don’t most people trust people they can relate to? Can’t I relate best to someone else who has also grown up on the internet, had a blog and thinks it’s okay to text message during a date?

Note: The average age of my close group of friends is actually 40+, so I don’t 100% fit the stereotypes.

Gen Y Is Missing From This Side Of The Table

Are all of the Gen Y people the programmers at sites like Trulia and Redfin? Do they work in the IT departments for John L Scott and Keller Williams? I sure don’t see too many young peoples faces on postcards.

I know when I worked for a title company, we had a couple of Gen Y’ers a few more Gen X’ers, but a large number of people much closer to retirement with no replacements coming soon.

I’ve even asked using the correct hashtag via Twitter during the Inman Connect New York Conference for a show of hands of Gen Y people and have heard from 3. That seems odd to me, a conference focusing on the changes needed in the real estate industry yet the largest (real estate buying) age group of our country isn’t represented adequately.

Diversify

Do we need to diversify our work teams? I completely understand the value of experience which is why I’ve never refused to accept professional help from someone because they were older than me, but I also know age does not equal wisdom. Should the smart, experienced agents, mortgage brokers, appraisers and title people need to scout out younger people to join their teams, learn the real estate skills (since odds are they already have the online marketing skills) and help really move the industry into the future? Or are Gen Y’ers too fickle and prone to changing professions that it isn’t worth the time to train them?

Ageism

I’ve spoken to groups of real estate professionals about generational marketing many times, the average age I would guess to be around 55 and even though I promote a multi-generational marketing approach, I get cheered when talking about marketing to Boomers and jeered when talking about marketing to Gen Y’ers. “They’re just going to do it themselves since they think they’re smarter” is something I’ve heard more than once.

Generation Why?

Why aren’t there more Generation Y people on the professional side of real estate?

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Nick Bostic

Nick runs a new media marketing consulting company helping real estate professionals learn how to implement new media tools into their marketing arsenal. He frequently gives presentations on generational marketing, green marketing and advanced online promotion. Nick is active on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

16 Comments

Dan Connolly

January 8, 2009 at 5:48 pm

Okay so what is the age difference between GenY and GenX? Oh and when will GenZ be here?

Reply
Missy Caulk

January 8, 2009 at 9:23 pm

I am a bummer, but in some cases I know more than my kids. They know more than me in some things, like showing me at Christmas how to program my IPod.

My teams ages run from 28 to 62, but I give the first time home buyer and U of M students to my younger one, they have fun and text all the time.

I’m not sure age in years have anything to do with it but more of a desire to learn new things.

Reply
Paula Henry

January 8, 2009 at 9:47 pm

Nick – Two of my chilren are Gen Y. Both were in real estate, one as a licensed assistant and the other unlicensed. Neither enjoyed it. One thing I have noticed about this generation is, they work to live and their freedom and fun is important to them.

As are their friends. If you et the opportunity to work with them, once you have earned their trust, they are loyal and will refer to their friends. They trust their friends!

Reply
Nicole Lahti

January 8, 2009 at 10:50 pm

I’m a Gen Y and have been in mortgage for 3 years (straight out of college), and I’m oftentimes the youngest in the room at sales meetings, trainings, CE classes, etc.

I think why generally see less Gen Y in real estate is because our higher education system can be a Fortune 500 factory. We’re sold on the cool title, company expense account and travel opportunities big companies offer straight out of college; not the sacrifice and rejection (which is loathed by Gen Y) it takes to become a young entrepreneur.

Reply
Linda Davis

January 9, 2009 at 7:13 am

It’s simple.
Look at the tons of research on the character traits of the average Gen Y. Then talk to some of the most successful real estate professionals and ask them what it took to get there. You’ll have your answer.

Reply
Brad Rachielles

January 9, 2009 at 11:39 am

Disclosure: I am a 1946 Boomer that has stayed knowledgable on tech.

That said, it may not be important because it appears to me that the whole world will beat a path to one who gets results. A lender posted on Facebook that he was writing a 4.5% loan and said that everyone came out of the woodwork, regardless of catagory.

Nick, I liked your post. Have you done any research on other entrapreneur based fields outside of “tech” or real estate/loans that may indicate that Millenials are thriving as independant owners/contractors? I see and agree with Nicole’s point about corporate emphasis in schools. Maybe that is where the changes should take place.

Or, could it be possible that Generation Y so strongly believes in generational division that they have trouble seeing themselves doing business with clients with a diverse generational characteristic because they have been so preconditioned. There has to be a better thought than that!

Reply
Debra Sinick

January 9, 2009 at 12:43 pm

I agree with Missy’s comment about the difference being not just generational, but the willingness to learn and change.

Reply
Elaine Reese

January 9, 2009 at 6:40 pm

I’m surprised no one has mentioned money. It takes quite a bit of money to start-up and stay in this business – whether or not a sale is made. It may require being able to live for 6 months without a paycheck. Perhaps, the Gen Y’ers just don’t have that kind of savings. Especially, if they have to start paying off college loans.

Reply
Benjamin Bach

January 10, 2009 at 9:06 am

I’m 25, and have been in business for 3 years now.

Our firm of 100 associates is owned by a 32 year old.

A few of us in the top 10 at the firm are under 35.

Maybe we’re the exception, but Gen Y does pretty well around here

Reply
Nick Bostic

January 11, 2009 at 3:00 pm

@Dan – There still isn’t a very clear definition on time periods, but the most widely accepted I consistently see is 1977-1998. Generation X is 1965-1976. Gen Z probably won’t exist because Gen Y was actually meant as a put down to say that we were not really different from Gen X and just the next group to follow.

@Missy – I agree with the desire to learn, but I also think those doing the educating need to evolve. My “research” is anecdotal, but most of my friends spent more time in college because they enjoyed learning. They also had more altercations with instructors because the information was old and outdated. So again, my anecdotal evidence suggests Gen Y has a great desire to learn, but no tolerance for incompetent educational systems.

@Paula – I would definitely agree that a work/life balance is key to my generation, but wouldn’t being a real estate agent be a perfect occupation? You set your hours, you’re your own boss?

@Nicole – Thank you for joining the conversation, I’m glad I’m not alone here 🙂 I would agree that higher education promotes the (outdated) Fortune 500 mentality. I think everyone I keep in contact with that I graduated from college with has been sorely disappointed by the Fortune 500 promises that haven’t come true yet, and I think this reality will get passed down.

@Lina – I have read and conducted my own research into the character traits of Gen Y. Driven, motivated, understanding that 401k’s/Pensions/Social Security won’t exist when they need them so they must make their own future, a desire to learn, a want to be respected by their boss/coworkers, knowledge that there is a future in their career. I’m sorry, I don’t see how this doesn’t work with a real estate career.

@Brad – Very true, people will go where they get results. I go to the best realtors, lenders, appraisers, etc I can find. But I would also like to get to know these people, maybe even consider them friends. People are traditionally more likely to hang out with their direct peers. Generation Y has definitely been fed a mentality of getting the corporate job, but I think many are seeing that it isn’t working out as promised and more are looking for a better life. I’m not sure Gen Y is the only one that believes in generational division, and in my day job, I see the most push back to NOT cross generational lines from older generations.

@Debra – When I teach classes about using Craigslist and other online marketing options to Boomers, I get so much push back and resistance. The Gen X’ers and Gen Y’ers in the room are much more willing to learn and change.

@Elaine – Gen Y is also one of the most likely to be willing to move back home out of school, so coming up with seed money may actually be easier for many. I personally moved back home after college, had my student loans and a new car paid off and savings for a down payment in less than a year, and I know of many other Gen Y’ers who have done the same. Many, including myself, were told by heads of departments that we’d easily be making six figures immediately upon graduation, which isn’t realistic, so perhaps it’s the fear of making NOTHING that is keeping Gen Y’ers from jumping into their own business.

@Benjamin – Excellent job, thanks for sharing a great example!

Reply
Paula Henry

January 11, 2009 at 3:18 pm

Nick – You would think real estate would be the perfect business; while I hate to admit it, maybe it was their role model at the time – ME – who left them not liking the business.

My son likes the security of a paycheck and benefits which allows him time off to enjoy the beach and mountains.

My daughter – well – girls just wanna have fun 🙂

Funny – you mention moving back home – my son did, now 26 , has now moved out. My daughter – now 22, is still at home.

Maybe it is the fear of making nothing – there’s only one way around that – face the fear and move beyond it.

Reply
Matt Goyer - Redfin

January 16, 2009 at 9:45 pm

Sorry I missed your raise of hands on the #icny during Inman! I was at Inman and I’m also 29, barely qualifying me for Gen Y.

For those interested, Redfin has a good number of Gen Y folks both on the engineering side (those who build the website) and on the real estate side (the agents.)

I think people my age identify more easily with an agent who speaks their language. That is knows how to crunch numbers in Excel, emails over calling, and understands the power of blogs and Twitter.

You’ll see this reflected in Redfin’s website by us including the tools that Gen Y has come to expect and by showing our agents in more casual outfits instead of a suit and tie.

Matt
https://twitter.com/mattgoyer

Reply

Business Marketing

Gloves that translate sign language in real time

(BUSINESS MARKETING) A new wearable tech translates American Sign Language into audible English in real time.

Published

6 hours ago

July 2, 2020

Taylor Leddin, Staff Writer

Advancements in technology never cease to amaze. The same is true right this moment as a new technology has been released that helps translate American Sign Language (ASL) signs into spoken English in real time.

This technology comes in the form of a hand glove – similar looking on the front side to what one would wear in the winter, but much more advanced when in view of the palm. The palm side of the glove contains sensors on the wearer to identify each word, phrase, or letter that they form via ASL, and is then translated into audible English via an app that coincides with the glove.

This is all done in real time and allows for instant communication without the need for a human translator. The signals are translated at a rate of one word per second.

The project was developed by scientists at UCLA. “Our hope is that this opens up an easy way for people who use sign language to communicate directly with non-signers without needing someone else to translate for them,” said lead researcher Jun Chen.

The hope is to make communication easier for those who rely on ASL, and to help those unfamiliar with ASL adapt to the signs. It is thought that between 250,000 and 500,000 people in the United States use ASL. As of now, the glove does not translate British Sign Language – the other form a sign language that utilizes English.

According to CNN, the researchers also added adhesive sensors to the faces of people used to test the device — between their eyebrows and on one side of their mouths — to capture facial expressions that are a part of American Sign Language. However, this facet of the technology is not loved by all.

“The tech is redundant because deaf signers already make extensive use of text-to-speech or text translation software on their phones, or simply write with pen and paper, or even gesture clearly,” said Gabrielle Hodge, a deaf post-doctoral researcher from the Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) at University College London. “There is nothing wrong with these forms of communication.”

What are your thoughts on this advancement? Comment below!

Business Marketing

Stand out with video as part of your resume (but be careful)

(MARKETING) This new tool helps you stand out in the job market, as video now dominates – so it’s possible to use this to your advantage (with caution).

Published

1 day ago

July 1, 2020

Natalie Gonzalez, Staff Writer

In the midst of a pandemic, people are finding themselves thrust back into the job market sooner than expected due to mass company layoffs or underemployment as a freelancer. Fields are oversaturated and jobs are sparse so it can be hard to stand out in today’s job market.

Although standing out in the job market is hardly a new problem, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t use some new and creative solutions. One company, VCV.ME has designed a tool to help you get creative and stand out from your competition.

VCV.ME turns your traditional resume into a video à la Instagram stories.

The process is simple. You answer a few questions and upload a video of yourself then the tool will provide you with a sharable link.

VCV Founder and CEO, Arik Akverdian, believes that video is the future saying, “Video will represent 80% of all internet traffic by 2021 according to Cisco, and according to eMarketer 94.1% of millennial internet users were streaming digital video in 2019. With growing demand for video social media such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram stories, and others, we’re bringing the short video format to the job market.”

There are some obvious limitations to using this tool in your job hunt.

First, not all employers will take videos as part of an application both for technical and legal reasons.

On the technical side, many automated tracking systems are not designed to filter that kind of file, so there may not even be an opportunity to showcase it. That’s not to say there aren’t some work-arounds. Many job applications will have a place for applicants to link to their portfolio or websites. An alternate option for this tool could be to place the video introduction on your website.

Another problem with the tool is how it exposes candidates and hiring managers to bias.

As more companies work to remove bias from their hiring practices and hire more diverse candidates, a video intro just won’t fly. Some companies have removed names and even alma maters from their applicants in order to make more unbiased hiring decisions. A video introduction would expose many characteristics that people have conscious and subconscious biases towards such as race, gender, age, and ethnicity.

Although VCV.ME’s intentions are to help candidates stand out in the job market, it’s worth questioning whether they would be standing out for the right reasons, so tread carefully.

Business Marketing

Why should you take Facebook’s ‘Summer of Support’ courses

(BUSINESS MARKETING) Every company can use a little marketing advice, well Facebook has partnered with big companies to give you some free digital marketing courses.

Published

3 days ago

June 29, 2020

Robert Raney, Staff Writer

Our world has turned into a place of upheaval and unrest and we are continuously surrounded by more and more evidence of it. One thing that the majority of us are constantly seeing is announcements from companies. Some of those are about closing hours, but others are more helpful. As they all attempt to get used to this new world that COVID-19 has created we begin to see some different tactics. Some are only politically motivated, but others are more focused on helping out their communities.

Earlier this week Facebook announced that they will be putting on a six-week digital marketing education series. This series will be an extensive collection of videos with a full in depth set of courses that will cover a large amount of topics. The company has put together a cast of renowned entrepreneurs for the presenters as well.

The topics will be done in themed weeks starting on June 24th, and running through the month of July. They include categories such “The Changing World” & “Resilience”. Focusing primarily on the world that is here and now, with recommendations on how to adapt to it. With this world in a constant state of flux the push for adapting to change and staying in front of the tide is crucial for a small business.

The next two courses will be going forward with discussing “Reinvention” & “Re-Emergence”. Encouraging struggling companies to take a serious look at their potential for moving forward, or changing the things that they can to stay more on top of their client base. They also plan on attacking the confusing world that we will have when things get closer to normal.

The last two weeks are focused on community and customer care, which is actually their names as well: “Customers & Commerce” & “Community”. These will help develop a sense of how your business affects your community and the impact you have on it. Keeping that in mind you can then develop a plan for how you want your community to see you and shape things within it.

These courses are all set up for free and open to anyone. With a completely online set up with their new “Summer of Support” mini-site they are prepped to reach millions of people. They’ve organized this with a range of partners as well: Dell, PayPal, American Express, & Small Business Roundtable. A helping hand for people who wouldn’t currently be able to source things like this.