From financial advice by a Gen-Y’er to Seniors on Twitter…

Let me run two events from today — seemingly disconnected – by you, and see if you reach a similar conclusion.

My Friday morning started with coffee at Starbucks with Pete Dunn — better known as “Pete the Planner.”

We’ve been connecting on Social Media, but had never met in person. Pete’s a really terrific guy — and a truly brilliant example of what my friend, Nido Qubein, calls “intentional congruency.” In other words, he is involved in a number of projects, but they all contribute to the meaningful whole of what he’s all about — helping people of all ages improve their financial health.

I was tremendously impressed with Pete for many reasons — he’s making a true contribution to helping the lives of his audience, he’s providing specific techniques and coaching, he’s sincere about growing his craft, and more.

Now…here’s the kicker…in the segment of his business that involves being a personal financial advisor, many of his clients are in their 60′s and older.

In other words, senior citizens are going to this Gen-Y professional and asking HIM what THEY should do with their money!

(Why? In part…Pete simultaneously exudes smarts and sincerity. He sure seems like a high-knowledge/high-trust kind of guy.)

Second…did you see this story? It seems that social networking use by Internet users ages 50 and older nearly doubled in the past year, going from 22 percent in April 2009 to 42 percent in May 2010. And, 92 percent of those ages 50 to 64 — and 89 percent of those ages 65 and older — say they send or read e-mail, and more than half of each age group e-mails on a “typical” day.

Use of social media is growing faster for those over 50 than those under 29!

What’s the connection?

I think it is starting to matter less and less every day what your chronological age might be. We are placing a higher value on competence and wisdom than seniority and tradition.

Can a Gen-Y’er in his early 30′s be more profound with his financial advice than someone with years of experience at a big firm? Of course.

It’s just that in the past, we probably would have been reticent to listen to him or her. We valued seniority and tradition, instead.

Can a senior citizen be a social media superstar? Of course.

It’s just that in the past, we probably would have thought a person of experience in other forms of communication wouldn’t participate in something new and non-traditional.

That can be scary to someone like me — between the two groups. You can feel the younger crowd growing by leaps and bounds, and the older crowd revitalizing themselves to stay in the game.

However…and this is the best part…it’s also wildly exhilarating.

It means as long as you can stay fresh and relevant…and can “kick butt and take names”…there WILL be a place at the table for you…and you can continue to make significant contributions…regardless of your gender, race, or age.

I’m thinking that’s about as cool as it gets…

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