Futures Coaching

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.

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 

 

 

Asian Growth Strategies: How are corporates going East?

What do VW, Yum Brands, Deutsche Bank, University College London and McCann Worldwide have in common? All have aggressive growth strategies for Asia.

Find out what Volkswagen are going to do with €14billion and why we'll see 600 new KFCs and Pizza Huts in China by year end. And discover a major Western brand who has withdrawn from China.

It's all in this 5 minute presentation here.

 

Chinese entrepreneurialism : is there anything more dynamic in business today?

The Chinese growth miracle has been founded upon the entrepreurial energy and vision of an elite class of business people. But who are they? In this 'Asia 5' presentation, I identify 4 different profiles of entrepreneur in today's China.

Look out for my analysis of what drives them, and what's holding them back. 

One thing is sure: the world has only just begun to feel the effects of their dynamic approach to business. 

Read more here.

 

How the Chinese innovate

Here we look the Chinese attitudes to innovation. The rules and the principles guiding resource allocations. For example, why is short term a bigger concern than long term innovation? And why do Chinese innovators emphasise process over product? Find out more about the successful innovation mindset Here.

The Philippines : hidden potential about to be discovered

The Philippines is one of the most western of Asian countries. A huge nation of English speaking Christians who adore America, Goldman Sachs predict phenomenal economic growth in the decades ahead.

Find out more about the potential of this 'Pearl of the Orient Sea' - and what is holding it back - by clicking onto my Slideshare presentation here.

 

Fame Asia: 10 Stars and their marketing appeal

London auction house chairman Simon de Pury wrote: "In the art world, like in the business world, decades of 'westernisation' are rapidly being replaced by an 'easternisation'". 

But what happens when Asian art meets the business world? My latest analysis of Asian culture has revealed just how marketing savvy are today's hot generation of musicians, designers, sports stars and actors.

So if you want to know what Li-Ning, Bi Rain, Sachin Tendulkar and Shah Rukh Khan have in common, think brand before anything else! See how slick they are here. It will take just 5 minutes to take in.

 

 

The Indian Growth Story

I don't know about you, but I've seen very little of India - I seem to have spent most of my time in airports. Those who know it better, almost universally, think of it as a fascinating, sensorial, stimulating place.

I have a feeling I'll be going much more in the future, given the phenominal growth which lies ahead. Goldman Sachs forecast that the Indian economy will expand, no less than 30 times to 2050. Yes, not 13; I really did mean 30!!

So, what explains this potential, and what might hold India's prospects back? If you've 5 minutes to invest, look here. You'll be amazed.

Changing China

In recent visits to Shanghai and Hong Kong I've been able to witness, first hand, the forces of change in China. First and foremost, change is a cultural phenomenon as society turns its back on the past and looks ahead. For example, even parents mistrust their own know-how; it's too rooted in yesterday's world to be so relevant for their kids. Much better, therefore, to send off children to extra classes where the most pertinent knowledge can be trained: skills fit for the future.

And, of course, the government is the great facilitator of change. Its recent 5 year plan lays out the contours of $1.25trillion of investment in seven strategic industries. The results of the planned economy are seen in December 2011's launch of the 500kms/hour super-rapid train. 

For a concise 5 minute briefing on the dynamics of Chinese growth, click here .