Just a few things to ruminate on as you digest the festive repasts and contemplate possible actions to take you business onwards and upwards in 2011.
The Big Picture
What changes are in store for 2011?There’s no question that technological changes will continue to have significant impact on businesses, large and small.
McKinsey Quarterly (August 2010) features an excellent overview of ten tech-enabled business trends to watch. Whilst you are on that page, you’ll also find links to related topics which are very worthwhile reading too.
The term “cloud computing” isn’t (or shouldn’t be) new to any business. Entrepreneur-turned-VC Mark Suster’s blog at “Both Sides of the Table” provides both perspective on the evolution of “cloud services” and why this is a major new area of growth and innovation for the Internet. By the way, you should book mark this blog: Suster’s posts are targetted towards start-ups but his insights are equally useful reading for established SMBs.
Predictions For 2011
Here are a few blogs on what lies ahead in 2011. I don’t have any opinions one way or another on any of these: they are just food for thought….
The Top Six Innovation Ideas of 2011 (Havard Business Review): Michael Shrage looks at six ideas that emerged over 2010 that he believes will intensify in their influence on business – and competitive advantage – in 2011. The concept of WWWabs is particularly intriguing.
Five Leading Business Ideas for 2011: Denise Lee Yohn lists the 5 ideas that will be embraced by forward thinking businesses to maintain their edge over competitors. Give some thought to the 5th point on the “content supply chain” and what your business is doing about that.
11 Crucial Consumer Trends for 2011 (trendwatching.com) identifies opportunities that businesses can capitalise on by meeting changing consumer needs.
Play
OK. Enough about work! There are some really good movies on at the cinemas. The King’s Message and The Social Network are just two that I’d recommend. Use this potato-couch season to check out DVDs of these not-so-new ones that are fascinating studies of human nature. Warning: They are not of the “happily-ever-after” or “escapist” genre but they are truly gripping masterpieces.
1. Lives of Others (Germany). Winner of Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year in 2007 amongst a raft of other awards.
2. Un prophète (A Prophet). (France). Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2010 Academy Awards.
Enjoy the holiday season! Wishing everyone a roaring 2011!
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