Millenials

There's a new demographic in town. Make room for the Millenials. Maybe just take a step back and reassess.

The Millenials are people born between 1980 and 2000. I discovered this new (to me)demographic distinction while reading a trade magazine. The story informed me that Millenials visit restaurants 40 percent more than Baby Boomers, and restaurants need to recognize and respond to "the passing of the torch to the Millenials." There are about 75 million of them.

The article proceeds to advise that restaurateurs should do a self exam, asking if Millenials relate to the brand, how often are they attracted, how can the brand be modified to attract them without alienating others, and my favorite "What do you stand for, and will Millenials believe in it?"

Now, all of you Baby Boomers, Gen X'ers, Gen Y'ers, Me Generation, and anybody who's still around from the Pepsi Generation, don't go jumping off overpasses or cliffs or whatever's handy, some of you may make the cutoff for this new Millenial thing (except the BB's and the buzzards from the Pepsi Generation, taste that beats the others cold Pepsi pours it on, you're so screwed), worrying that you're gonna be ignored while the whole world targets its marketing machines on the Millenials to kiss their apparently highly desirable econmonic asses.

This group contains people between 8 and 28, or 29, or whatever. What the hell do they have in common? Some of 'em are kids, some of 'em already HAVE kids. The idea of "do they believe in what you stand for" is simply bullshit. Do you have what they (or anybody else with two nickels to rub together) want, and can you deliver it consistently in a manner that makes them happy? Bingo, you win.

Millenials visit restaurants 40 percent more than BB's. I must ask for a definition of "restaurant". Any crapshack that serves consumables qualifies as a restaurant. Coffee bars, McDonalds, every place with a deep fryer and a heat lamp is defined as a restaurant, and The Young Millenials (sounds like a mini-series, or a soap opera) are being fed by Mommy & Daddy's cash, and The Old Millenials (this could be the name of an Octoberfest band) are running like crazy trying to make some cash, so they're grabbing and going. The point of my testy response here is that this age group has been doing this forever, and the new title isn't a revolutionary insight into abherrent or changed behavior.

So stand down, turn off the alarms, everyone back to their comfortable, familiar demographic group and resume eating, spending and as you were. The invasion of the Millenials has failed.

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Postscript:

Here's a hint, in case you missed yesterday's subtle clues, as to the identity of the real "America's Team".

Inauguration Day, One More Thing

Let there be no confusion. It's now official. The real "America's Team", just ask the President.

I've Got the Bug

I did not pay attention to any previous inaugurations, so I don’t have anything to which I can compare today. I don’t believe, however, that America has ever experienced anything quite like this. Today, I felt physically pained that I was not at the inauguration. It felt like I was missing out on something of which I was genuinely a part. He’s my President – I should be there! I felt like it was Jeff Kastel’s bar mitzvah all over again – the biggest party of middle school with all my friends in attendance, but I couldn’t go. I was so jealous today of everyone on the Mall that I could taste it. It wasn’t a bitter taste; rather, it tasted like matzah ball soup.

The inauguration of the first African American president is a big deal. However, what is astounding, and what I don’t think has been given nearly enough attention, is that today was the inauguration of a President who mobilized an entire apathetic generation. Young people started discussing politics passionately. We knew we had a voice, we just never had a reason to use it.

My dad asked me last Friday about My Plan. Ah yes, I am at that age where everyone shakes off the last remnants of the college life-style and starts making important life decisions, taking the next step, moving on and moving up. Well, I didn’t have a plan before this election season, but if I had I would have surely thrown it out the window. The campaign and election stirred many hearts but this year’s politics combined with my new-found addiction for episodes of The West Wing, have had a profound effect on me. Yes, I too have been infected with that virulent optimism and sense of social responsibility that usually only strikes before the age of 16. Suddenly, and against everything I thought I knew about myself, I want to make a difference, and not just by buying those reusable bags in the checkout line at Jewel or installing halogen bulbs in all my light fixtures!

If you don’t know me, let me be honest here. I’m pretty self-involved. Trust me, if this fever has hit even me, it means it might be an epidemic.

Inauguration Day

It's a big day in history, today is.

The dope is out, hope is in.

Lots of black people excited that one of their own is becoming President, lots of white people wondering what happened to the other half of the ancestry. Lots of people of every hue who don't really care, either way, about that.

Conservatives certain that this starts us on our way to hell in a hurry, everyone else figuring this is the first step toward getting out of hell.

Joe Biden becoming familiar, the Wasillabillies fading (thank heaven) into obscurity.

The administration that presided over the worst eight years most of us have ever known has packed up their gear (and their zero accountability), the Chicago Gang coming to town with a national legacy to be determined.

Empty nesters leaving the White House, a family with two young children moving in.

People hanging on every word spoken by the man who's entering, people having long since stopped listening to the blather coming from the man who's exiting. "Yes, we can" replacing nothing that anyone can recall.

Inspiration instead of desperation.

Big party today. Big work starts tomorrow. For the ride to work, here's the new Ground Force One.

Buckle up, gang. It's going to be interesting.

Monday Morning Sugar

A friend sent me this list. It's from Dale Carnegie Training. I liked it, and I think you may find it useful too.

1. Live in a compartment of the present.

The professional with a commitment to service seals off each interaction with a customer so that negative experiences don't poison future interactions. Don't allow past successes or failures or future anticipated success or difficulties influence your current performance. When it comes to customer service, live in the moment.
2. Don't fuss about trifles.

A "trifle" is something that is insignificant in comparison to other things in your life. When you focus on trifles, you lose perspective. Keep the big picture in mind. Doing so will help you objectively sort out the small stuff from the important issues.
3. Cooperate with the inevitable.

Realize when your situation is inevitable. If you can learn to recognize situations where you have no control, you can gain some control over the emotional aspects of the situation. By cooperating with the outcome, you are making a conscious choice about how to respond to an inevitable situation.
4. Decide just how much anxiety a situation is worth and refuse to give it any more of your energy.

Once you make it this decision, it is easier to find ways you can improve on the situation or let it go and move on.
5. Create happiness for others.

This principle appeals to your nobler motives. It is difficult to sustain a negative attitude when you are doing something good or helpful for someone else. Simply put: Doing good for others makes you feel better.
6. Expect ingratitude.

In your job, you provide many diverse services. When you do so, you probably expect in return some signal of gratitude for your assistance. This expectation is rarely met. If you do receive heartfelt thanks from someone, you should count yourself lucky you are dealing with a grateful person. Most people are simply not accustomed to being grateful, even when you provide them with excellent service. You shouldn't let ingratitude deter you from providing top-quality service.
7. Put enthusiasm into your work.

Enthusiasm is the positive energy and sustained effort that keeps you driving toward your goals. Making a decision to have a positive outlook can be critical in enjoying your job and working with your internal and external customers.
8. Do the very best you can.

It can be difficult to deal with criticism, especially if you feel it is undeserved or if it hurts your self-esteem. One way to put criticism in perspective is to ask yourself if you are doing the very best you can with what you know and are able to do. If you are, then you can avoid taking the criticism personally. If there is room for improvement in your performance, you can look at the criticism objectively and take responsibility for improving your performance.

How's that feel, now?