Every year analysts take a look at the business world. They measure the trends, validate what is new, evaluate what is disappearing. Some new trends have a real significance on the business world and will define success in the coming years.
Some current trends are the increase of eco-awareness and the number of new businesses popping up to meet new consumer needs. Eco-consultants for the home are learning their trade while passing on their skills. This is one business that is changing almost daily.
The disappearance of down time and down space is the next trend. The message 'The office is closed...' anymore. They expect the office to be open 24/7. They expect to be able to talk to someone whenever they click the button on the website, or telephone the office. The work at home, remote, and virtual offices are eliminating the term 'down time.'
Radical Transparency
The Internet and more particularly blogs have given birth to Radical Transparency. Businesses are revealing their secrets online. Their CEOs are admitting when they do not have the answers. The blog reports when they are facing financial difficulty. In the old days businesses hid their secrets. Today, business owners are working and living among a world of customers who are as business savvy and able to read between the lines as the business owner is.
There are many stories of CEOs and business owners who saved their business by offering full disclosure. They won their client's respect and confidence.
Personal Responsibility
Two decades ago the boss was the boss. He did as much or as little work as he wanted. His secretary or personal assistant did the major part of the workload. The manager took long lunches, attended meetings, and was often emotionally abusive.
Today's bosses are learning about horizontal responsibility, and self-actualization of their employees. They hire life coaches to help them learn the '7 habits of successful people' and keep them on the path to success.
A Small World
The concept that 'The World is Local' has been growing for several years. It is now possible to be in Japan one day and Germany the next. Small business owners can talk with a supplier in Africa and one in Asia at the same time.
VoIP telephone service has made unlimited long distance the norm. Satellite has linked the globe's network in 'real time.' We can read the newspaper online, watch thousands of local television shows via our computers, and watch video streaming from our competitor in Australia. It is easier for people to meet locally. The cell phone has made us instantly accessible.
However, local products and services also are more desirable. Consumers want to be part of the wide world. They want the world at their door. But, they prefer locally made products over imports. This gives small business owners an edge over the international corporations.
Queen Trumps King
The boys club is quickly becoming extinct. The shift in power is forcing businesses to think twice about their management and marketing practices.
Women make most of the purchases. Statistics say that women make 60% of all purchases - without consulting their husbands. That is why you now see children saying Vroom-Vroom in car commercials, and women selling legal services.
Power is shifting from men to women. Hotels now have rooms that are designed just for women and offer amenities that are not found in other rooms, such as chenille blankets, ionic hair dryers, and women's floors will have extra security and women only lounges.
Management is shifting too. High powered women start their own businesses, and bring down the companies who wouldn't promote them. This is forcing management to become more 'women friendly.' The world is too competitive to turn away talent just because the professional is a woman. Businesses need every edge they can get and that means hiring the best, even if it is a woman.
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