The Future of Business

My workshops this week  included stuff about the future and how to be "at the right place at the right time".  Looking at the self made millionaires (excluding those from the entertainment and sporting industries) , we reviewed what were the factors of success.  The list of fifteen  included entrepreneurs such as  Dick Smith, Lindsay Fox, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg and Zhengrong Shi.  We looked several aspects of success, and found only one that they all  had in common, which is - the ability to identify and meet a future need.  

So what are the future needs that stand out as business opportunities?   The trends indicate increasing global population,  increasing cost of  oil and increasing energy costs as the defining parameters of business of the next decade.  To stay ahead of your competition, or to become a leader in an emerging industry, then consider the future, identify a need, and work out how your business can meet that need.   For some, it will be to become  the most energy efficient and creative business  compared to the competition.  For others, their business will develop a  new niche opportunity that offers  businesses a way to reduce, re-use or recycle.  None of us have that magic crystal ball with all the answers, but  what I do know for sure is that the world of business will look very different in the future.  If you are in a business, my tip of the day is to consider the future.   We have two options ahead, one is the fossil fuel world of today and one is the renewable world of tomorrow. and each of us is headed in one of these directions.  So where are you and your business  headed?

Picture Future or Bust! by Vermin inc ex Flickr