The Leisure Economy: How Changing Demographics, Economics, and Generational Attitudes Will Reshape Our Lives and Our Industries (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: yuppie kvetch, leisure economy, retiring boomers, United States, North America, Bureau of Labor Statistics (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For the past three decades, we have been steadily creating an extreme time-crunch economy that has affected jobs, portfolios, businesses and lives. But the time-crunch economy is turning into the leisure economy and it will mean wrenching adjustments for our lives and institutions. Everyone from consumers, investors, businesses, and policy-makers will need to understand the changes afoot.

The Leisure Economy posits profound economic changes in North America due to both the retirement of the baby boomers and the attitudes of ascendant generations X and Y. Looking at trends in demographics, economics and generational change, this book looks at how to stay ahead of the leisure economy and predicts who will be the winners and losers in the seismic shift ahead.

From the Inside Flap

The Leisure Economy offers a provocative and insightful look at the coming sea change in the North American economy. As millions of baby boomers begin to retire, the U.S. and Canadian economies will be flooded with people who literally have time on their hands. And in the workforce, the boomers will be replaced by generations with very different attitudes from the boomers. Gen X and Gen Y understand the worth of leisure time-and when they're in charge, they just might demand some.

As Linda Nazareth explains, the shift away from an intense focus on work towards leisure will make for some profound shocks to our lives, industries and institutions. Lost in the day-to-day frenzy of the time-crunch economy, many have yet to consider what lies ahead and what these changes really mean. For businesses, the shock will be the rudest, but whether you are an investor, a consumer, a business owner or a worker, you need to stay ahead of the curve.

The Leisure Economy gives you a fresh look at the way that economics, demographics and attitude will force profound changes in the North American economy.

• New economic priorities for North America mean companies must plan ahead to face the challenges of the leisure economy. what must the smart ones do?
• As boomers leave the work force in waves, some businesses and industries will face a crisis: How to keep talent? How to sustain grow current markets? How will Gen X's and Gen Y's views on work and leisure affect the economy?
• Get ready for a new class of "haves" and "have-nots". The next big divide in North America will be between the leisure haves and have-nots, and it will be as polarizing as the widening gap between rich and poor.
• A leisure boom does not mean an economic boom: Why the leisure boom may not be good for the economy-or for your portfolio.
• The leisure industries: What will be the growth industries of the future? And what businesses are at risk?
• Busting myths and making bold predictions about who will be the winners and losers in the new world of work, The Leisure Economy fuels the debate about the shifting demographic landscape and gives you insight into how to profit from the coming leisure boom.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047084034X
• ISBN-13: 978-0470840344
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #684,703 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important book for all ages, January 21, 2008

By	K. Richard "K. Richard" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Leisure Economy by Linda Nazareth is a well- researched, on-target account of the movement away from the "Time Crunch Economy" to the "Leisure Economy." As this respected economist points out, work/life balance is not just a fad created by young people to drive older professionals crazy. It's a sane response to a society which has made a virtue of work addiction and is re-calibrating itself to the mindset of "there's more to life than work."

Baby Boomers pondering retirement, Gen Xers with families and mortgages, and Gen Yers new to the workplace will discover valuable insights to guide their career-and-life choices. So will organizations struggling to attract and retain the best talent of every age. Ms. Nazareth offers examples of individuals who have re-invented their working lives and industries who offer employees opportunities to do the same as this movement gains momentum.

The Leisure Economy is a significant contribution to the literature of generational diversity and changing values in the workplace. And, equally important, it is creatively written and highly entertaining.

4.0 out of 5 stars Boomers Need to Read This Instead of Getting a Botox treatment, April 14, 2008

By	M. Majere - See all my reviews

Boomers, economists, legislators, other public officials, and all business owners should read this book. It forecasts realistically things that WILL happen in our future.

Instead of turning our back on getting older, (the 60 is the new 40, or whatever) we should plan our lives, businesses, and government strategies towards the graying of No. America.

Good book with great ideas on what to do in life, within the next 30 years.