The Millenials

I received several interesting comments from my readers, in the past few days, focusing on an element of Cosmic bowling I neglected to mention.

From Max Cook Pasco, WA, "a lot of centers all over the country do not have all the fixtures working. It's not a cosmic show without the lights. ALL lights have to be working or replaced. An investment of 1 or 2 new fixtures a month or every other month prevents a massive overhaul expense."

From CJ Fox out of Newton, IA, "Move your old lights around. Get some new LED lights which will save you gads of energy costs."

From a Bowling Proprietor in Madrid, Spain, "It is of the utmost importance that our cosmic show be first class ALL THE TIME. Customers simply won't tolerate broken fixtures or dirty setees. We must be perfect."

Now for today's topic: The Millenias.

Who is this group and how will they affect your business? For one there are 82 million Americans born between 1979 and 1999 (22 to 33 yr olds); the biggest generation since the Baby Boomers (72 million)

As consumers, they want mostly to have a company build a relationship with them rather than sell them.

Consider the kinds of emails, Facebook messages and tweets you send out to them.
If you're only sending "an offer" every time you communicate with them, you are turning them off. Big time.

Instead engage them in contests, give them information and tell them what other Millennials are saying about your center. Just don't sell; TELL A STORY!

As employees, they expect to be heard and to have their opinions listened to. Expect them to question authority and ask "why" very often.

According to Cathy O'Neill, senior vice president at career management company Lee, Hecht and Harrison in Woodcliff Lake, N.J, "The millennium generation has been brought up in the most child-centered generation ever. They've been programmed and nurtured. Their expectations are different. The millennial expects to be told how they're doing."

Give them plenty of feedback and plenty of constructive criticism, if that's what is needed.

More importantly, the Millenia worker wants a real life balance; wants flexibility in scheduling hours and finds it normal to text, scroll the Internet and talk on the phone with a friend or family member at the same time.

This tech savvy generation doesn't just want it all...rather, this generation wants it all on THEIR terms.