Meet The Xers

Born between:
1965 --1979

When you think of this generation think:
Skeptical, Reluctant, Self Sufficient, the most loyal consumer, the most loyal employees

Formative events:
Watergate
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Challenger explosion
The Gulf War
The PC boom
The Reagan Presidency

Think of:
Andre Agassi
David Beckham
Kurt Cobain
Michael Dell
the cast of "Friends"
Monica Lewinsky
Julia Roberts
Chris Rock
Peter Theil (Paypal Inventor)

Xers: An Overview
They came onto the scene and were given an unflattering, vague name. They were defined as “slackers” and were characterized as unmotivated, lethargic, sarcastic, and irreverent. They were the first generation that parents could take pills not to have. And as youth they were told they’d be the first generation in the nation’s history that would not be as successful as their parents. Every institution in the United States that has said “you can trust us” (government, the church, military, marriage, major corporations) has fallen flat on its face. Whereas to the Boomers and Matures these institutions still mean a great deal and they just briefly faltered, to Xers they have never been deserving of anything but skepticism.

Though they could easily be considered pessimistic about their world and their future, you’ll find that their attitude has a “carpe diem” feel to it. “There is nothing we can count on in the future,” they say, “so we’ll focus short term and make sure each day has significance.” It is not an attitude of irresponsibility. It is the contrary. In fact, Xers have willingly shouldered the responsibility for their day-to-day well being. “We’ve seen that the company won’t provide it, nor will the government,” they think, “So it is up to me.” And this attitude permeates the workplace where Xers are steadily rejecting the Boomer work ethic attitude. Ironically, along the way, they’re gaining Boomer converts.

Today you’ll find the eldest Xers achieving management positions and the youngest have been in the workplace for at least three years or more. They’ll inherit the many management positions vacated by the Boomers upon their retirement, and they’ll run things a bit differently. Don’t fear. They’ll be effective, profitable, and responsible, but different.

Xers in the workplace
In the workplace, Xers:

* Eschew the hard-core, super-motivated, do or die Boomer work ethic.
* Want open communication regardless of position, title, or tenure.
* Respect production over tenure.
* Value control of their time.
* Look for a person to whom they can invest loyalty, not a company.

Xers in the marketplace
In the marketplace, Xers:

* Can spot a phony a mile away.
* Rely on peer-to-peer referrals more than any other generation.
* Want options; plans B, C, and D.
* Embrace technology as a way to maintain control of their lives.
* Want to be in control of the sale.