Consumer decisions are now best made from an ethical perspective. Products and retailers signed up for these sustainability standards are becoming immensely popular with consumers. There are rumors of companies that have been close to the brink but where investors have come and saved with new capital. The question is how patient and risky some investors are in the future. At the same time, most funds are well-stocked, and a lot of money is now going out. It will likely be a hit on hot teams and a particular inflation risk. Many hot entrepreneurial teams are likely to be courted. A topic of conversation among founders is also how important it is to find the right partner – otherwise, there is a risk in the future that they will be run over or outmaneuvered by other owners. As the scandals surrounding tech giants such as Facebook and Google have replaced each other, for example, integrity, competition issues, and fake news, US authorities have entered the picture. Tech companies have long been largely unregulated, but next year, there is much to suggest that they will change faster than they have done so far.
What are Megatrends?
Megatrends or thematic indices are global macroeconomic development forces that affect business, the economy, society, cultures, and personal lives, thus defining our future world and its growth rate of change. They have different meanings and effects for various industries, companies, and individuals. Analyzing these megatrends and their consequences is essential to a company’s future strategy, development, innovation process, design, and technology planning. The following sections guide you through the current top megatrends.
An Aging Population
An aging population is an irreversible trend and one of the most vital market trends that have brought about fundamental societal changes. The United Nations estimates another 1.15 billion people will be on the planet by 2025. However, the distribution of these people will not be equal across age groups or regions: 28% of the increase is projected to be older than 70 years, and by 2040, 45% of population growth is likely to come from Africa. These factors create unique investment opportunities.
As individuals age, their economic behavior changes, and their health needs increase, affecting many sub-sectors, including pharmaceuticals, economics, senior care, and consumer products. Forecasts indicate that consumption by older individuals will reach $55 billion by 2021. Investors may consider riding this trend and investing in companies positioned to take advantage of the growing needs of an older segment of the global population.
Digitization of Society
The Internet of Things, IoT, is emerging as the third wave of digital development. In the 1990s, there were about 1.2 billion Internet users, which tripled in the 2000s. Breakthroughs in the cost of sensors, data processing, and bandwidth for connecting devices enable overall connections. Early simple products such as fitness bands are already getting the attention of investors. While the first two stages of Internet development profoundly affected the technology industry, digitalization will be even more prominent in all sectors: healthcare, retail, oil and gas exploration, and the construction industry. Digitization will reorganize the technical landscape again. Digitization and the Internet of Things have essential attributes that distinguish them from the ordinary Internet. These attributes can change the direction and implementation of technological development with significant consequences for technology companies.
Automation & Artificial Intelligence
Automated technology combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning will help people in the manufacturing, construction, military, and transportation industries, two of the most critical sectors. Robotics will soon be part of personal connections that operate as laborers and even decision-makers in 2021 while mainly being utilized for industrial applications. Fully automated factories are now approaching reality. Advanced machines, intelligent robots, and future technologies will soon allow machines to produce products on demand without human participation. It will use artificial intelligence to configure the production line, enabling direct access and control of numerous units in the production process. All these developments will soon lead our lives, in addition to choosing lanes to optimize traffic. AI will create some new jobs and virtually eliminate entire segments of work, from taxi drivers to some highly skilled careers, such as paralegals and engineers.
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