Another glimpse into the future!
Staying on a theme . . . . . the future trend research we conduct is exciting. One of our
favorite sources of information is the firm J. Walter Thompson (see www.jwt.com). Each year they come out with their top 10 trends that will shape our future. The trends are multi-year in nature. (Their two-minute video can be found at www.jwt.com/blog/consumer_insights/jwts-10-trends-shaping-consumer-mindset-and-behavior-in-2013.) It is worth the two minutes, but just in case, here they are:
- Play As a Competitive Edge - it is becoming a culture/recruiting edge to work hard/play hard.
- The Super Stress Era - employers, the government AND brands are doing everything possible to reduce stress.
- Intelligent Objects - technology will soon be embedded in everything - watches, glasses, etc.
- Predictive Personalization - more data and the ability to analyze it means we can better predict what people will want. The offers and communication we receive are not as random as they used to be. What we look for on-line helps shift what comes to us.
- The Mobile Fingerprint - our smartphones are evolving to become our wallets, keys and health consultants.
- Sensory Explosion - as our lives get more virtual, we will put a premium on sensory stimulation. Products and services are going to focus on this.
- Everything is Retail - mobile technology means we do not need a computer OR a retail store. We can now buy things anytime/anywhere.
- Peer Power - peer tours, boutique shops and restaurants, and peer-to-peer education is becoming the norm.
- Going Private in Public - with everything being public, people are carving out places to be in private (shutting off technology - or parts of it).
- Health & Happiness: Hand in Hand - happiness is the key to good health, and vice versa.