Future Trends and Business Environment
Subject Areas : Technology Development Infrastructures and Supporting organizations
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Keywords: Forecasting the future , Business , entrepreneur,
Abstract :
Forecasting the future is very important for business owners, while it is not difficult to discover it. Scientists and economists regularly uncover trends by analyzing: patterns in government and corporate research policies; new technological advancements and discoveries; market supply and demand fluctuations; and present moods, needs and spending habits of consumers. But for small businesses owners, there are many books, papers and web sites about new trends and megatrends. They talk about future changes such as: Shifting the global axis of power and influence from West to East, or underlying Asias rapid modernization include a shift from central government control to free-market economies, the emergence of female entrepreneurs, mass migration to cities and a resurgent individualistic spirit that rejects welfarism. These patterns can be uncovered through the computer analysis of large amounts of data taken from databases, polls, news clippings, or any other medium where information can be accumulated. From these patterns - as well as knowledge of past tendencies, historical cycles, an empirical understanding of human nature, and primitive gut reactions – they piece together astoundingly accurate predictions. This paper introduces new patterns and megatrends to business owners in order help them to plan their strategy and approach for sustaining their customers and their businesses.