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.

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

 

 

 

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.

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!

 

Silent Retailing: How this is about to change

I was asked to look at the future of retailing by real estate services giant, Jones Lang LaSalle. My study took a couple of intensive months to complete and involved over 30 experts. One of the themes treated in the final report was The End of Silent Retailing.

Jones Lang LaSalle have put significant marketing effort behind the 'Retail2020' Report and I'd invite anyone wanting to find out more to visit their website retail2020.com

Meantime, as an appetiser, find out why I think retail has been silent over the years and why this is about to change fundamentally over the next 5 Download The End of Silent Retailing

 

10 Levers for Growth in Healthcare Markets

Ever wanted to know more about the economic potential of silicon nipples? Or why growing new teeth will be the next new thing in dentistry? Ever wondered who might be the real beneficiaries of the ipad (hint: they generally have grey hair, poor eyesight and cannot manage those fiddly buttons on a mobile phone).

My latest 'Growth Story' focuses on healthcare and how to grow healthy profits in an industry which is currently under enormous cost pressures. To reveal 10 growth insights, roll over here.

 

Black Hole Marketing

We live in a world where, increasingly, winner takes all; being merely average or mainstream is the route to failure. Look around and we see this trend playing out everywhere. Celebrity culture, sporting heros, world cities, power brands, mega malls.....being the biggest and best (even by just a fraction) is enough to get disproportionate rewards. The rest are 'also rans'.

Marketers need to understand this new extremism and make decisions accordingly. Find yourself outside the Black Hole and you'll find your life's forces being sucking away.

Find out the dimensions of this trend - and some of the routes to growth here.

 

Growth through 'Little Indulgences'

In 'Growth Stories' we are focusing on positive trends for the coming year; places where money can still be made. Our latest analysis of change is to do with small luxuries. 

The boom of lipstick sales in recessions is not new and was noticed in the early 1990s downturn. What other sectors see similar upticks? What are the ways to benefit from this dynamic? And what traps have to be avoided? Find out in this concise '5 minute' analysis here.