The ‘new yuppies’ prefer self employment over corporate life and flash cars

When Miles MacInnes was growing up, his father worked long hours and, dressed in his pinstripe suit, often traveled on business to provide for his family.

It was typical of the 1980s “yuppie” movement, an acronym used to denote a generation of young upwardly mobile professionals famous for their “work hard play hard” approach.

Now, as a father of two, Miles has taken a different approach to work – and he’s not alone.

A new report reveals how the yuppies’ children have rejected the “greed is good” mantra coined by Michael Douglas’ banker Gordon Gekko in the hit movie Wall Street in favor of the idea that “green is good.”

Young professionals eschew corporate salaries, flashy cars and sipping champagne in the city for running their own businesses, vegan lunches and sustainable businesses.

A report from Mercedes-Benz Vans shows that more than three-quarters of children born in the 1980s identify a “successful” company as one that is sustainable, rather than one that prioritizes “making big profits.” at any cost’.

In addition, 63 percent said success comes from trying to make the world a better place, not from being at the top of an industry.

Miles, who runs the Jascots wine business in East London, said: ‘My father was a businessman in London in the 1980s. He worked long hours and traveled frequently as part of his job.

“My idea of ​​success is very different from what drove the yuppies in the eighties. For me, success is about finding harmony between work and family, purpose, sustainability and making a positive impact on the people you work with.’

The report shows that the yuppies’ children have scaled back their ambitions. More than half of those surveyed have chosen to be their own boss rather than work for a large company, and three-quarters prioritize sustainability over big profits.

What is clear is that this generation, raised in the shadow of the yuppie generation, wants to undo some of the excesses of the 1980s.

More than two-thirds believe companies should prioritize reducing their negative impact on the environment – ​​regardless of cost – and 71 percent would like to see more companies make sustainable transitions.

Miles said: ‘I believe every company has a responsibility to understand its environmental impact, and we are constantly finding ways to reduce waste and packaging.

“In the last six years we have reduced our CO2 emissions by 28 per cent by making changes such as replacing one of our diesel vans with a Mercedes eVito electric van so we can drive around knowing we are making a positive difference .’

The new generation has also made some more superficial changes that suggest that the materialism of the 1980s is definitely over.

Flexible work arrangements have led some to turn their backs on the fancy suits and sports cars that the high-flyers of their parents’ generation had become synonymous with.

Instead, nearly one in five said they dress for work or wear active clothing, while 26 percent own an electric vehicle.

“I can imagine my dad leaving the house every morning in his pinstriped suit, ironed shirt, tie and briefcase, but I rarely wear a suit so I’m not surprised people my age are more likely to dress smartly for work,” said miles.

‘We have also taken steps at home to live more sustainably. We’ve cut down on meat as a family to once a week, ordering veggie boxes and subscribing to a milkman delivery to reduce waste, reusing the glass bottles where possible. I also cycle to and from work when I have to go to the office.’