Martin also stressed the importance of intergenerational, diverse teams and how their creation can make a more robust business and ultimately a stronger economy.

In speaking with a background of informative slides, he defined Ageism as discriminating against someone purely because of their age, as opposed to ageing, which is a natural process. 

To the individual ageoism can be a life debilitating and devastating prejudice. 

To business it robs workforce enrichment, capability, stronger competitiveness, productivity and profitability. 

Overall, it weakens and threatens the wellbeing of the community. 

People seeking employment notice that ageism starts around 40 years of age, and women are affected worse than men. As children begin to learn it as early as 4 years old, it is an almost “acceptable” prejudice.  On the other hand, many people become successful after the age of fifty.

The perception and reality of ageing are two different pictures.

On discovering the waning of intergenerational teams in Australian companies/organisations, Martin Coleman is alarmed at the soaring level of Ageism in this Country, confirmed by the World Health Organisation and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

With his deep sense of Community, Martin, together with an Advisory Counsel has developed Your Age Advantage: 

• To help employers transform their workforces into innovative, multigenerational teams.
• To advise businesses on how to attract and retain a diversely aged workforce for a stronger and more effective workplace.
• To re-skill older adults and retirees in Australia by introducing an entrepreneurial mindset and
• To help the Australian community recognise that contributed wisdom and experience can come from any age no matter what stage in life.

Martin completed his talk with a slide “Let’s end Ageism”, seeking partners in the process. He fielded questions from the floor, and was thanked by Dorothy Gilmour for his interesting address. 

About Martin Coleman: 

For over two decades Martin has run an integrated, digital advertising and social media company, assisting start-ups to listed companies in Australia and overseas. He has also worked closely with Government, large corporations, primary utilities and peak industry associations separately and together to shape and influence government direction and decision-making.

He is an experienced business leader with an impressive track record at achieving steady organic growth and expanding company/organisation opportunities.