The Technology Gap between Young and Old

There seems to be the perception that younger generations are more eager to use and embrace technology than their older counterparts.

But this perceived technology gap may be just that — perception. Microsoft conducted two separate studies to research the question of younger people being more apt to adopt and adjust to technology than older people.

According to the Microsoft's studies, one conducted in Canada and another conducted in the United States, younger people do indeed tend to adopt technology quicker. But adopting technology quicker does not translate into older folks not adopting technology at all.

Older entrepreneurs, the study found, view technology as something to help them manage and maintain current business operations. That is, these older entrepreneurs used technology to the extent that it helped them preserve the status quo.

On the other hand, younger entrepreneurs see technology as the means to grow and expand operations.

But, technology wasn't seen as an all or nothing solution for either group. Older folks were more apt to implement a new technology and stay with it for a longer period of time. The younger folks saw technology as a springboard to other, more robust, technology applications.

For example, in the client management department, older entrepreneurs were satisfied with using Microsoft Outlook to manage client data, appointments, and other general customer management functions. Younger entrepreneurs sought out applications specifically for customer management — in this case CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software.

The good news in the survey is that older people understand their limitations and, therefore, seek out younger, more tech savvy employees to tap into their strengths. So, views about technology aren't necessarily conflicting, just different.

Young people also realize that older technology users are more comfortable in face-to-face situations. So, they too tap this expertise to build relationships on a more informal level.

The technology gap between younger and older is not so much a gap but more of a technology attitude. Each generation can learn from the other, and both can feel comfortable in their own technology shoes.

 

Written by: Frank J Klein - CIO

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