“It’s great to be here, it’s great to be anywhere”

As I trawl through my inbox each day, it never ceases to amaze me what public relations firms and advertisers send me and how convoluted and tenuous are their arguments that the material to hand is just right for our over 50 audience. In fact, the range of items and activities is getting wider almost daily.

Which got me to thinking – maybe these items are, indeed, very suitable and the increase in variety is just a reflection of the societal changes taking place and how older people are viewing  themselves and are being viewed by others. And, on the whole, much is very positive.

Take this one for instance “Festival essentials – a packing checklist”.

Now, no one can deny that the over 50s have been going to festivals for decades and that there is still much fun to be had whether keeping fresh and up to date or whether wheeling out some of the greats from the past. But, in youth, optimism and taking things as they come were the order of the day – not meticulous preparation.

But therein lies the message. The over 50s have “been there, done that” and the wisdom that comes with experience means that we can have the good bits without the pitfalls and errors.

If only more of society could see that!

Knowledge: it’s more than noun retrieval

Yesterday’s London Evening Standard featured a small but interesting item. Jeremy Paxman commenting on the state pf people’s knowledge based on his experience as presenter of University Challenge for the past 16 years. Whilst primarily focusing on the content of people’s knowledge (more focus on science and computing today, less knowledge about classics and the bible), it also touched upon the issue of knowledge retrieval.

He commented, “Young people find it easier to give quick answers even though older constestants should know more… Knowledge does stick as you get older, but the speed of retrieval definitely slows.”

Herein lies a key issue at the heart of older people’s performance.  In an environment – particularly in the workplace – where speed and change are the measures by which people are judged, depth and breadth of knowledge can be overlooked in the race to be the whizziest, smartest and most cutting-edge.

Numerous studies have shown that in general older people are not any poorer at performing the majority of tasks when compared to their younger colleagues, until they become very old. Yet, rather like older computers, our unfortunate inability to come up with instant answers – or even simple nouns – in many situations can show us in a poor light.  Frustrating, but as much a symptom of ageing as grey hair and wrinkles.

Ultimately, neither group – young nor old – is better than the other. But transferring this example to the workplace, wouldn’t it be better to have a workforce that knows all about science and IT AND about the classics and the bible?

He who knows not…..

As may be seen from our own approach here at in my prime we firmly believe that internet access and online activity is not only the future but is already the present. Accordingly, we very much welcome the Government’s Digital Britain Report and initiatives such as NESTA’s “Reboot Britain”.

It is, therefore, rather disconcerting to see in research carried out for Ofcom that not only is there a significant minority who do not have the internet but that many of them, particularly older people, have “self-excluded” themselves and do not see the need nor the value in getting to grips with the new technology.

We are now in a transition phase and many elderly people did not work in or were not brought up in a computerised environment. Their attitude is at least understandable. The learning curve for them is particularly steep – although that should not, in itself, be an excuse. I have experience of trying to help someone make the transition and there is much that can be done by the computer industry to make the experience easier for the elderly – core programs only, spam-free, virus-free, pop-up free, update restricted etc. etc.

But for those over 50s who have not yet reached this stage in their lives there is no excuse. Whether it be employability, keeping in the social mainstream, access to information, finances, improved purchasing power or a host of other uses and benefits, being connected is of paramount importance. Otherwise a truly second class citizenship will emerge and is already doing so.

Every encouragement, incentive and opportunity must be provided to bring people aboard. This is not another example of a nanny state telling us what is good for us and restricting the freedom of the individual – people must not be allowed to shy away.

He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool; avoid him.

He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a student; teach him.

He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep; wake him.

He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man; follow him.

Ancient Proverb

Celebrating wisdom

One of the most uplifting experiences of the week was revelling in the sensory feast of words and images melded in award-winning photographer and film maker Andrew Zuckerman’s book, Wisdom. A record of the thoughts and ideas of over 50 of the world’s most prominent and celebrated over 65 year olds, it is illustrated with superb, honest and revealing images of these familiar and well-loved icons as they are today.

Inspired by Desmond Tutu’s words: “One of the greatest gifts we can give to another generation is our experience, our wisdom” this is a book to dip in to, ponder on, be inspired by. Buy one as a Christmas gift, or better still treat yourself and leave it on the coffee table for family and friends of all generations to read (available on Amazon – I’ve checked).

Scant regard is given these days to the role of wisdom and its value to society. We all need reminding of what it means and certainly we could do with more of it – let this set the standard.

See more at http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1848104,00.html or http://www.wisdombook.org/

Creating an age-diverse workforce

I have just read a piece by Leon Foster Hill on creating an age diverse workforce at B&Q on www.changeboard.com.

As part of an excellent overview of the B&Q experience, he wrote: “Our customer service also improved with the age of our workforce as there are clear business benefits to employing people who reflect our customer profile. Older workers have a great rapport with our customers and are able to give sound advice based on similar life experiences. Our training budget was also reduced as we found our older workers came with good experience and skills levels, along with a conscientious attitude and real enthusiasm for the job.”

The point to be taken is surely not that employers need to follow B&Q by specifically focusing on recruiting and retaining older workers, but that their qualities – customer rapport, sound advice, appropriate skills and experience, conscientious attitude, enthusiasm – are what every customer is seeking and every employee should be demonstrating. For improved levels of customer and employee satisfaction and engagement businesses should focus on identifying and fostering appropriate personal and brand values and the cultivation of individual and corporate wisdom – elements that can and should be appropriate to every employee regardless of their age, gender, race or ability.