Boomers, younger generation show different attitudes about tech use

Baby Boomers and younger business owners have different attitudes towards technology, according to survey results released Sept. 17 by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Micorsoft Canada Co.
The survey was conducted online with 1,230 small- and medium-sized businesses (SMB) owners randomly selected between Aug.10-27, 2007. The accuracy for a sample this size is considered to be plus/minus 2.8%, 19 times out of 20.
The survey found 59% of experienced SMB owners believe a security solution that secures my data is safe and not at risk is at the top of their list when it comes to selecting technology crucial to their business.
This age group is also more likely to resort to a backup tool to ensure their business records are safely stored (57%) and use the contacts/address book in my email application to keep track of business records within their organization, the survey found.
In contrast, younger generation entrepreneurs (18 to 34) place more emphasis on newer technology that can help to generate strategic growth opportunities, the survey found.
The younger generation was most likely to say (53%) they couldnt live without a Web site that helps raise my business offerings both locally and globally. Also, they were the most likely generation to say they couldnt live without mobile devices to help employees stay connected. (50%)
Finally, the younger generation was among the most likely to say it wanted to go beyond the basic contact/address book to ensure business records are kept safe. Thirty-eight per cent indicated they relied instead on customer relationship management software.
Younger entrepreneurs are usually more focused on growing the business while the previous generation is thinking about transferring management or ownership, Lawrence Barns, CEO of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise, said of the study results in a press release. The key for SMBs is finding the right mix of technology this is what will help them both grow and ensure that important knowledge transfer takes place.
The survey found that two-thirds (63%) of SMBs in Canada have what would be described as multiple age generations of employees within their business.