The Ass Ceiling

From an article I wrote for the latest BoomerMarketingNews:

THE BOOMER GENERATION CAN BE SPLIT INTO TWO PARTS, those born from 1946-54 and those born from 1955-64. The older half, often called the Leading Edge Boomers, are the ones now ages 53 to 61. The younger half (actually more than half in terms of numbers), sometimes called Generation Jones, are ages 43 to 52 this year. It’s the younger half that finds itself coming face-to-face (pun intended) with the “Ass Ceiling.”

By now Generation Jones professionals are at or near the pinnacle of their careers, ready to step into the top positions in companies, departments and organizations across America. But alas, they can’t because the top seat is still occupied by another older Boomer. Actually, a lot of older Boomers. The reality is that older Boomers, those on the cusp of retirement and certainly prime candidates to take early retirement, are staying entrenched. This is by choice because they love their work, or it is out of necessity because they haven’t saved enough to be able to afford to quit.

We suspect those younger Boomers will tire of facing the Ass Ceiling and will be the ones most likely to enter the entrepreneurial fray in the coming years. Why stick around until you are 62 yourself before getting the brass ring, reluctantly released by some 70-year-old Boomer? Case in point: Some 427 of the Fortune 500 CEO’s are Boomers but only 135 of them are younger Boomers, 292 are Leading Edge Boomers. Many of whom aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

The problem only grows larger when you expand beyond the largest 500 companies in America. Who runs small businesses in America? In family-owned business it’s the big brother or sister who took over from Dad in the 1980’s. When will they step aside, and who will take their place? Not a younger sibling but their own children.

The Ass Ceiling also exists in real estate for younger Boomers. Older Boomers who are buying retirement or second homes are snatching up the best locations now, while younger Boomers are still sending kids to college and cannot as yet afford the investment. By the time younger Boomers get to that stage, the pickings will be slim.

The implication is that over time, younger Boomers may more closely associate with Generation Xer’s, that forgotten generation crushed by the weight of Boomers above them.