Brave new world of work emerges

Leon Gettler from The Age Business again tells us the world of work is changing. Globalisation, technology and the blurring of lines between home and work are transforming the workplace. Well, for some.

A report from Britain’s Equal Opportunities Commission says we are now moving into the third generation of flexible work. The first generation was about time flexibility and the second about time flexibility combined with working from home.

According to the report, we are now seeing the third generation, where there is greater control and choice between employers and employees over how and where work is done.

Whilst much of the concepts noted in the report are not new, the structure around it might be useful. There are a number of us that have been running our own race for some time. Many Entrepreneurial Mothers do it already, and as a matter of course. There are many others aspiring to do so. The good thing about reports like these is that the more that different ‘work’ structures are discussed and out in the market place, the easier the conversation will be to have.

So that when its your turn to structure your work, there will be more models to choose from and to help demonstrate validation. What work structure do you want? What do you want your working life to look like?
Hard but necessary questions…

FOREVER TRENDS – How to delight women, the gay community and boomers

When it comes to easy inspiration for dreaming up new products and services, some big trends keep on giving. Case in point: the Continuing rise in purchasing power enjoyed by women (FEMALE FEVER), the gay community (PINK PROFITS) and baby boomers (BOOMING BUSINESS).

FOREVER TRENDS has been so thoroughly researched, the only thing left to do with them is to turn them into new products, new services and new experiences. Which may not be what some of you want to hear from us (what about the numbers, the stats, the predictions?).

To make a long story short: for this edition of Trendwatching.com monthly trend briefing, they asked their spotters to keep an eye out for interesting new business concepts and products that are specifically aimed at women, the gay community and boomers. They collected and analysed their findings and created a hands-on snapshot of what brands around the world are ALREADY doing to serve these demographics in innovative ways, making good money in the process. They’ve also added a few business ideas they’d spotted in the past, tracking their progress and in some cases, their demise.

Be inspired by examples of brands that are having fun with these forever trendy demographics in this month’s trend briefing…

The Expectation Economy

2008 is well underway now, so it’s about time we highlighted the “EXPECTATION ECONOMY“, an umbrella trend that neatly captures the zeitgeist for mature (and rapidly maturing) consumer societies, while also incorporating and explaining many other subtrends. Yes, it will keep you busy.

“The EXPECTATION ECONOMY is an economy inhabited by experienced, well-informed consumers from Canada to South Korea who have a long list of high expectations that they apply to each and every good, service and experience on offer.

Their expectations are based on years of self-training in hyperconsumption, and on the biblical flood of new-style, readily available information sources, curators and BS filters. Which all help them track down and expect not just basic standards of quality, but the ‘best of the best’.”

The EXPECTATION ECONOMY has been building slowly in the background. The biggest difference from five to ten years ago? Word of mouth now travels the world in a flash, making product launches instantly global, turning every new brand—big or small—into a potential ‘player’, and most importantly, rewarding exceptional performance with immediate interest and approval from consumers. Basically, Joseph Schumpeter’s ‘Creative Destruction’ on steriods.

Regardless of what business you’re in, are you ready?…

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