“The millennial generation is going to change the world, including how we work and consume. Our industry—indeed, every industry—would do well to learn from them and adapt to them. The extended era of the baby boomers is drawing to a close.” (Prosumer report)

Millennials have arrived! Don’t know what a millennial is? Well, if you were born in the mid-to-late 1980s, then you are one. We are the generation that has grown up with technology; we are here and we love mobile. In fact, I believe within the next few years we will use mobile only. If your company has an app that’s rubbish or has no app at all, then guess what? We aren’t interested! 

My, my, that’s a big pie

As millennials have more children, we are quickly becoming the predominant generation. Currently our buying power amounts to $170 billion a year (Comscore research), and that is a big pie. So your app better be great! If it doesn’t perform as expected or isn’t engaging, then you’re in trouble. Why? Because we will tell people about it. Ouch! Bad press isn’t fun and if millennials tweet, post or chat about how poor your app is, then what does that mean? Yep, others will be influenced by our experience.

Have you used them before? Are they any good?

It’s not all doom and gloom though. The flip side is that if you get it right, we will love you. We rely “heavily on recommendations, reviews and ratings to guide us through the shopping process” (OMG Proprietary Millennials Study). Couple that with the fact that we have our mobiles with us all day, and the power of your app becomes paramount. Your app could be the trusty steed that guides us through this scary world of ours.

Enough about you, let’s talk about me

Stats are great, and I love them. However, backing them up with personal experience always helps to put them into context. I’m a millennial and I don’t shop in physical stores; I rarely watch TV that isn’t on demand; and I don’t buy anything unless I’ve read a healthy amount of reviews. I use apps to manage my bank account and do my food shopping weekly.

At work I have apps for social work collaboration, conference calling, emails and keeping my diary. Apps, apps, apps—I just can’t get enough! As you can see they are hugely important to me and my lifestyle. As a result, their quality is vital. I want them to work well, be sexy and do what I need them to do. Otherwise the apps are of no use to me and they are history!

Why be mobile only?

Why would you want to be anything else? All of this technology enables me to be more efficient. Through map apps I don’t waste time on the road. Through shopping apps that deliver my goods I spend more time at home doing what I want. Let’s face it—food shopping is boring. By using reviews I can spend my money more wisely. The company I work for has enabled me to be mobile and efficient through my device, allowing me to reach my career goals more quickly. Apps are enablers.

I’m afraid to say it, but mobile has irreversibly changed the way we live and work, and the world needs to change with it. Apps are an extension of the company and, for more and more people, the only way one interacts with that company. So get it right!

Follow me on Twitter for tips on getting it right with mobile: @LittlefieldML.

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