Generational Tech-niques
Over the past few blogs we’ve been looking at the three most common stereotypes of Generation-Y and analyzing them in attempt to conclude if they are fact or fiction.
The stereotypes in question are that Millennials:
1. Have a strong sense of entitlement.
2. Are lazy.
3. Are more technology savvy than previous generations.
Now that the entitlement and laziness stereotypes are out of the way, it’s come time to look at the third most common stereotype of Gen-Y to determine whether or not Gen-Y is more technology savvy than previous generations.
To research previous generation’s technological abilities I went straight to a primary source: my parents. Both part of the baby boomer generation, I learned their exposure to computer technology preceded mine by only about four years. In sharing his experience, my dad told me it wasn’t until high school that he was first introduced to a calculator and that digital watches at that time ran at a cost of about $300-400. I also learned that his first exposure to a PC wasn’t until around 1986 but even then PC’s were program specific and had very limited capabilities.
Ask any Millennial when their first exposure to computer technology was and chances are the most common age you will hear will fall somewhere between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. For me personally, a weekly class trip to the library for “computer time” beginning in the 1st grade entailed a Reader Rabbit and Mavis Beacon education via floppy disk.
So does this comparison prove that Gen-Y is more technology savvy? Not necessarily.
When it comes to technology, I do believe that Gen-Y is quicker to learn new trends, concepts, developments and programs. I also believe that Gen-Y has proved that it has an unprecedented ability to multitask by simply growing up in an age of juggling homework, IMing, and cell phones. In 2006, when Gen-Y first began entering the workforce, TIME Magazine called Gen-Y “The Multitasking Generation” and over the years, that thought seems to be a common theme throughout various blogs and online publications.
Despite this fact however, I don’t believe this is quite to enough evidence to concretely determine that Gen-Y is more technology savvy than their predecessors.
While Gen-Y certainly has more years of technology-based experience, those years can be matched and most likely surpassed in the years of solid work experience Gen-X possesses. Let’s say for example “Gen-X Jane” works at an advertising agency. Starting first as a junior-level employee, she has eventually worked her way up to senior status. Throughout her time at the agency, “Gen-X Jane” has learned the best, most efficient methods by which to please clients, deliver results, and ultimately reflect positively on behalf of the company.
Enter in the social media craze.
Taking into account that it takes time for anyone to learn how to use new social media applications, both functionally as well as strategically, “Gen-X Jane” may initially be slowed while she adapts to the workings of social media applications. However when it comes to knowing how to best apply social media applications in the most efficient way, “Gen-X Jane” will be able to pick up faster on how to apply those applications tactically better than a Millennial would. So is Gen-Y more tech-savvy than previous generations?
I don't think so, but the jury's out, so tell me what you think: read@evvivabrands.com
Posted on 4 March 2010 by Jessie Read
There are 0 comments relating to this blog post.
Make a comment about this blog post:
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.
