"On Jan. 1, 2006, the first of an estimated 77 million baby boomers, those Americans born from 1946 to 1964, will celebrate their 60th birthday. Through its sheer size -- and, some would say, self-indulgence -- the generation has given rise, or given teeth, to a host of fashions and institutions that are now central to popular culture: rock 'n' roll, working moms, Earth Day, sport-utility vehicles, Botox, Viagra and Starbucks." - The Wall Street Journal, September 26, 2005
Today's seniors constitute one of the richest segments of the U.S. population, with more personal wealth than any previous generation. And the size of this group is growing. The number of Americans age 64 to 85 is expected to double in the next 25 years, says the U.S. Census Bureau.
As you work your business plans for 2006, ask yourself this question. What have you done to put yourself right in the middle of this pack of people with plenty of time, money and interest in exploring new products, your services and new experiences? What did you do for the past 5 or 10 years to build a relationship of trust and excellent service, just for their interests and needs? What does it say in your marketing plan about becoming more attractive to this "booming" market?
We assume you have a business plan and in these crisp and colorful days of autumn, you are revisiting that plan and fine tuning it for 2006. If not, get thee into The Ultimate Small Business Marketing System course, which you can complete by January 2006.
Does your business have anything to do with technology? Is your business all about customer service and innovation? The boomers love that. They are the ones with the cell phones, the satellite navigation systems, the total fitness-plus-technology advantages, the latest computers and the iPod Nano.
The voices of 77 million baby boomers came through loud and clear one day when my vet, a really handsome and energetic man, born in 1945, said to me "My generation never left anything the way we found it. Nobody was ever ready for us so we just changed the world to make it all work." He said that the same year he retired at 57, sold his very successful practice, and drove off in his red BMW convertible. He is living out the life he probably envisioned and planned, during all of those years of 60 hour days, taking care of everyone's livestock and pets.
Is he your customer? He's somebody's customer and he's the kind of customer we all want.
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