Futures Coaching

Breaking the rules of consulting

Save your blushes - and your margins.

Consultancy is changing as client needs change - and as business practices modernize. 

This report breaks with orthodoxy and shows you the New Consulting pathways to agency success.

The report covers 10 rules and will take just 5 minutes to absorb. Find it here.

 

Surprising Indonesia

My father-in-law sold white goods in the 1960s in France. He literally opened up his order book and transcribed one 'sale' after another. Queues for the new ipad come close to this today but in most sectors this kind of sales excitement is a long-forgotten dream.

Unless you happen to be trading in a growth market, that is.  For example, take a look at this brief report on Indonesia.

Indonesia is on an accelerating growth path with huge potential for business into the future. And it could go even faster still if only some structural downsides were fixed.

Breaking the rules of consumer research

I've been playing around the edges of consumer research for over 25 years; never quite a researcher but many times a commissioner, a shaper, a moderator, an insight user. Dipping in and out of research and working for research-based consultancies has thrown up some hard-won analysis about what works and what is to be avoided. In many cases, my experience flies in the face of orthodoxy - it tears up the research rules.

I then started thinking about how I break the rules in other areas too - trends, consulting, project management and so on. I want to share what I've learned in all these areas. And so, I have decided to launch a new series (to complement Asia 5 and Growth Stories). This one is called "Breaking Rules".

So breaking the rules of research will be the first in a line. I'll promise to bring all my experience to bear - and will be pleased to hear your reactions to each rulebook that I rip up. Here, then, is the first.

 

Giving and Getting: Positive Fundraising Trends

I love giving platform speeches (even if they are always a little scary!) and I am often asked to start conferences with Key Notes focusing on trends and the future landscape. In recent times, I've kicked off: the consumer healthcare association's (AESGP) conference in Vienna, the International Council of Shopping Centre's Conference in Prague and the International Health Forum in Munich.

I'm please to say I've been invited to present the Key Note at the upcoming Swiss International Fundraising Congress in Geneva on 28th and 29th June. I'll be presenting a challenging speech around the opportunities for fundraisers in recessionary times and how two key trends can help access the passions of donors everywhere.

Other speakers include Lord Rennard and fundraisers from Amnesty International and Médicins Sans Frontières. If you are intersted to join us, the conference website is here.

We-Think: The Mega Trend behind Social Media

Would communications technology be so successful if people didn't feel the need to interact? Of course not. However, few recognise that our need to socialise and network is growing with or without social media. 

My lastest Slideshare summary, shines the spotlight on this Mega Trend. I call it We-Think (a term I borrowed from Charles Leadbeater).

Many authorities have lost ground due to this Trend, but a rare few get it - and I give example from the banking, supermarket, charity and FMCG worlds.

Have a read. It will take just 5 minutes to update your understanding. Click

 

 

 

Asian Women: Why are they so crucial to growth?

Going back a few years I worked for a trends company whose global data showed a most interesting thing. The changes women were making (regarding employment, roles and responsibilities, changing value sets etc) were the single most important social dynamic of the time.

Now, I would argue that social media and new technologies are more influential today than feminisation. Nevertheless, anyone ignoring the staggering changes being brought about by women, including Asia women, would have a substantial blindspot in their vision of the future.

Update you knowledge banks on this key dynamic here.

 

Will Cities be Forever?

Half the world's population lives in cities and urbanisation continues apace. Is this a good thing? And what trends can we expect to see over the next 10 years?

This 5 minute thought piece asks the question: Are Cities forever and what happens when a City dies? On the flip side, what will be the characteristics of successful urban areas going forward?

Kick start your thinking here 

 

 

How will the past change our future?

Trendspotters often focus exclusively on the future to understand change. But the past gives huge insights into how tomorrow's world will look.

Take Chinese medicine. Many of its ancient principles are now bang on trend and will shape the future of healthcare. How about the most revolutionary idea of Bill Gates - giving away his wealth? Sorry Bill but it's been done before. Canadian Indian tribal leaders already knew of the fantastic status to be gained by giving away all that you own.

How else can history help us understand what's coming next? Go back to the future here.

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Sponsorship of outdoor events

Sponsors of London's Olympics have spent £700million to be present at the world's greatest show. But just why do brands sponsor outdoor events?

My latest Slideshow presentation reveals some of the advantages of showing up. For example, brands who place their banners in front of a euphoric crowd can expect a subliminal connection. Next time the consumer sees the brand they will be transported back to that orgasmic emotional state. Talk about getting rooted in positive emotional memory structures!

Take 5 minutes to find out more.

Futures Coaching, March 2012: A typical month

Clients are constantly surprised by the variety of work we are engaged in. March 2012 will be typical. During the month we will:

- analyse social change amongst Filipino and Indonesian women and impacts on health marketing

- run deep-dive consumer research on social media

- present to a retail property audience on consumer futures and impacts on retail

- uncover future-facing insights in order to revolutionise branch formats for a retail bank

- blog on Asia, social media, outdoor events.....

Specialist in trends, social analysis, sector futures, Asian market evolution....Futures Coaching may be able to help you. Try us.

 

Social Media Success Factors

I spent the earlier part of this week running focus groups on Social Media. From a consumer viewpoint, Social Media is about staying relevant in the here and now. The big fear is of 'missing out'.

But consumers are not dupes and they are able to filter and able to spot dodgy brand activity a mile off. It's about "what's in it for them".

How do Brands get it right in Social Media? My latest 'Growth Story' blog covers 10 success insights. Read it and pass it on if you like it click.

PS I'm well on my way to 500 hits for last weeks Asian Growth Stategies' post - so thanks for reading and sharing!