Going into the New Year is always exciting for anyone with a droplet of Scots blood in them. My Scots mother told me that in 'her day', Santa came on Hogmanay rather than Christmas Eve.
It's always interesting to hear what the trend-watchers are forecasting for the coming year. Last year they told us that the lean, clean simple lines in interior design would disappear and be taken over by a return to a softer and more homely look. We also looked to the year, wondering whether this one would see the demise of the CD - but no, not yet. And vinyl records are back!
Well, this years trends have been forecasted in a forthccoming book by James Harkin - Big Ideas:The Essential Guide to the Latest Thinking, summarised in today's Guardian.
In a nutshell here are the highlights;
- The rise of the Silver Surfer on MySpace - just as the trendy cappuccino lost its trendiness as older people took it up as a drink - so has 'social networking' on the Web. 18% of European over-55s are regular visitors to Facebook-type sites. Apparently only 28% Generation G (16-34 year olds)who grew up with IT use social networking.
- New ways of learning - a move towards inventive ways of learning including web-cam and virtual interaction in an informal way.
- Renting/ sharing rather than owning 'stuff' - the move towards part-ownership including Rent-a Garden in the Netherlands (sculptures and feature plants), handbags (I've seen them for sale in Harvey Nicks - I would want a small car for that amount of money!)
- Youngsters seeking'authentic' hobbies and experiences - the huge increase in bee-keeping, ballroom dancing and quiz nights as people are looking for 'real' rather than purchased experiences.
So what does this mean for businesses and organisations? It's all about being nimble, flexible and aware of how the world is changing around us - the best businesses will be aware of emerging trends and morph into a more useful version of their service without losing the heart of what they do. It's the business that best fits its new environment - Darwin's 'survival of the fittest'.
This is why I normally take delegates out for a walk or driving tour of businesses, showing them some of the latest business ideas that are changing our customers' expectations. It's a great way to learn and really breaks that 'store blindness' that happens to us by looking at it day in and day out. Coming back into your business after visiting other good shops, restaurants, visitor centres and hotels will allow you to see it through fresh eyes.
So - limber up for a flexible, innovative New Year with a new set of 2008 expectations from our customers.
Merry Christmas and all the very best for a prosperous and successful 2008
Fi and Ian
