Spend a bit of time on the internet, and you’ll see plenty of people suggesting that the generational divide is insurmountable, with constant jokes about out-of-touch ‘boomers’, selfish millennials and a disconnected Generation Z. However, our ScreenPop networking groups prove that there’s far more connection across the generations than you might think, with members ranging from young entrepreneurs in their early 20s to business owners in their 70s.
When I first started running networking groups, I assumed most members would be people in their thirties, forties or fifties. Perhaps this was a product of my own experience; I started my first business in my late thirties, after years of working as a pharmacist, and having gone to university, in my twenties, most of my friends were also traditionally employed. But, with the job market in a mess, it seems like plenty of young people today are choosing to work for themselves, and that’s definitely reflected in ScreenPop.
Our informal networking style appeals to young people in business, who aren’t interested in the stiff, old-fashioned kind of networking that was popular when I first started attending, over 20 years ago. Gen Z expect meetings to be fun, but productive, and I think that the business education they get from other members’ presentations is also invaluable if they’re just starting out. It’s inspiring to see young people taking the initiative to build their own enterprises and try new things, rather than focusing on traditional careers.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we also have several members who are working past the traditional age of retirement, with some starting new businesses using their expertise from years of experience in other fields, and others staying on for longer at the businesses they love. It’s always great to see them at networking meetings, where they’re able to share their knowledge and connect with other people who they might not have met elsewhere. Having started ScreenPop in my fifties, I have no interest in retiring for a long time yet, and it’s great to see that other people feel the same way!
One of my favourite things about business networking is the way that it brings people and businesses together in unexpected ways. In a difficult financial climate, there’s something hopeful about watching people build businesses from scratch, whatever their ages. Although the internet is great for businesses that are looking to build an audience, social media platforms often silo us off into different echo chambers, where everyone we interact with is of a similar age or comes from the same working background. The diversity within our ScreenPop meetings is an amazing way to combat that and connect with people running all sorts of businesses you might know nothing about.
Whether you’re an old hand at business, or a recent graduate or school leaver just starting out on your own, our meetings have something to offer you!
