Futures Coaching

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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

 

Extreme Buying: one of the Growth Stories of our age

Consumers describe the feeling in many different ways: "a rush of blood to the head"; "a moment of madness"; "letting off steam". Whatever the phrase, the impulse is always the same - to forget about austerity and do something which feels sooooo good. 

In boom times, purchasing became a habit; today it's more a surprise! "I just popped in for stockings and came out with a new outfit and matching handbag". 

What Extreme Buying describes is a trend where a liberated social context meets human weakness. And brands can learn how to profit from these moment of madness.

The trend and its drivers are described here.