I'm not saying I understand Blockchain as such, at least not how it works. But what I do understand is the societal impact of Blockchain. It has the power to disrupt plenty of industries, for sure. Banks, insurance, government, lawyers, to name just a few.
But even better, the technology has the power to democratise wealth creation and increase shared prosperity! Listen to Don Tapscott explaining how this can be:
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
Are China's megacities getting out of hand?
The rise of China's megacities is just astonishing... and frightening. The general wisdom suggests that cities are the most sustainable way of living together, but one has to wonder if this is the case in a city of 130M people!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
What the fourth industrial revolution is really about...
Hint: it's not about industry, it's not about transport, it's not even about energy.
At least, it's not only about these things... it's about virtually everything: our economic system, our health, our future as human species. This video from the World Economic Forum sums up pretty much everything that the 4th industrial revolution is about, but also the broader picture: what it means for humanity.
Most of the trends discussed are on our watch-list as well, though there's some that we don't see in the video, although in our eyes they have a role to play in the revolution. Think of companies as a platform, social entrepreneurship (something dear to Charles Schwab, founder of the WEF), the power of biomimicry, etc. Also not discussed, though important to investigate: what exactly os the role of government in this evolution? From the signs we see, governments are rather a break than a stimulator of new, far stretching evolutions. It's not necessarily a bad thing neither, but something essential to take into account of you want to know where (and how fast) this revolution will bring us.
Nevertheless, an essential 11 minutes for everyone thinking about the future!
(click here for the original full article of the World Economic Forum)
(want to discuss these, and many other, trends with your colleagues? Make use of our inspiring Megatrend fact sheets! click here for more info)
At least, it's not only about these things... it's about virtually everything: our economic system, our health, our future as human species. This video from the World Economic Forum sums up pretty much everything that the 4th industrial revolution is about, but also the broader picture: what it means for humanity.
Most of the trends discussed are on our watch-list as well, though there's some that we don't see in the video, although in our eyes they have a role to play in the revolution. Think of companies as a platform, social entrepreneurship (something dear to Charles Schwab, founder of the WEF), the power of biomimicry, etc. Also not discussed, though important to investigate: what exactly os the role of government in this evolution? From the signs we see, governments are rather a break than a stimulator of new, far stretching evolutions. It's not necessarily a bad thing neither, but something essential to take into account of you want to know where (and how fast) this revolution will bring us.
Nevertheless, an essential 11 minutes for everyone thinking about the future!
(click here for the original full article of the World Economic Forum)
(want to discuss these, and many other, trends with your colleagues? Make use of our inspiring Megatrend fact sheets! click here for more info)
Monday, March 7, 2016
Where will the jobs of the future come from?
Going through the predictions about the ‘jobs of the future’ from a number of sources, I found some interesting conclusions.
I have made a personal selection from all the ideas –especially from the list of Thomas Frey, which contains 162 items, but the list I use is still representative of the line of thinking of these futurists. Additionally, I put them on a graphic with the timeframe at which these jobs could emerge (my own judgment), the likeliness of these jobs to emerge (my own judgment) and the impact they might have in terms of job creation (my own judgment):
Okay, this is not a scientific study. On the other hand I had no preliminary motive or message when starting this exercise, so it has at least a flavor of neutrality.
But what are the conclusions?
First conclusion: many futurists put forward jobs that can be categorized as ‘developer jobs’ (in red in the chart). Gamification developers, digital architects, avatar designers and managers, one could argue that these jobs in a way exist already. Or at least they are within the scope of what can easily be imagined for the near future. No need for futurists here…
The second set of jobs has to do with drones (in orange in the chart). Each day I am amazed at what drones are used for (beside military applications). If regulation (and security) permit, we could see a vast array of new, innovative applications for drones. Good thing is that (for now) you’d still need humans to pilot them, so the potential job creation factor is substantial.
The third group of jobs is straightforward as well, and is a direct result of the ageing population. I grouped different names into two: end-of-life therapists and elderly well-being consultants in a way exist already, but no doubt this group will grow in the future (and will see new specializations in them).
Where things start to get both interesting and speculative, is with job that have to do with medical developments (blue and light blue), as well as jobs that result from sustainability and climate change challenges (green). ‘Vertical farmer’ is likely to become a very popular job in tomorrow’s megacities, but what about extinction revivalists? Shall we really start dinosaur farms in the future?
Happy to hear your view in order to refine this chart in the future!
This study about the jobs of the future is one of the 65 megatrends included in the Megatrend Fact Sheets pack. 1 slide per megatrend, this pack offers a very useful way to discuss these trends with your colleagues and get to new, innovative ideas for your business. Click here to order your copy!
(PS the sources to build this list came from Rediff.com, Brandwatch.com, Mashable.com, University of Kent and futurist Thomas Frey).
Friday, February 19, 2016
What if the world was fully automated...
It's a relevant question, since scientists now predict that 50% of (current) jobs will be automated in 30 years from now -not even that far...
Of course, many new jobs will be created in the meantime (more on this in the next post). There is a much need to panic for our collective future as there was seeing the first steam engine -many did see the ned of the future in it. However, as with all periods of great (in this case perhaps huge) transition, it will impact great parts of society in a negative way. It is likely that robotics and artificial intelligence will move up the societal ladder in their job destruction path, increasing the gap between rich and poor, between the 'have's end the have not's'.
If governments still want to be relevant in the coming decades, they will need to find an answer to this challenge as well...
Of course, many new jobs will be created in the meantime (more on this in the next post). There is a much need to panic for our collective future as there was seeing the first steam engine -many did see the ned of the future in it. However, as with all periods of great (in this case perhaps huge) transition, it will impact great parts of society in a negative way. It is likely that robotics and artificial intelligence will move up the societal ladder in their job destruction path, increasing the gap between rich and poor, between the 'have's end the have not's'.
If governments still want to be relevant in the coming decades, they will need to find an answer to this challenge as well...
Sunday, February 14, 2016
The best source for innovation meetings: 65 megatrend fact sheets 2016 is now available!
Are you looking for refreshing ideas an insights for your planning or innovation session? Get the most out of your session by using i4fi's updated Megatrend Fact Sheets!
These fact sheets can be used as a briefing document prior to your session, or at the start of the session as an eye-opener. Sometimes these fact sheets are hung all across the room of a brainstorm session, to provide the participants with fresh ideas and insights!
But the vital thing for this to be successful is to keep the fact sheets digestible for everyone. After all they are meant to stimulate ideas, not to be academic papers. This is why we've kept the fact sheets simple and light!
In the 2016 version we endeavoured to maximise the impact of each fact sheet:
These fact sheets can be used as a briefing document prior to your session, or at the start of the session as an eye-opener. Sometimes these fact sheets are hung all across the room of a brainstorm session, to provide the participants with fresh ideas and insights!
But the vital thing for this to be successful is to keep the fact sheets digestible for everyone. After all they are meant to stimulate ideas, not to be academic papers. This is why we've kept the fact sheets simple and light!
In the 2016 version we endeavoured to maximise the impact of each fact sheet:
- 1 revealing charts or tables explaining the trend. Chart come from established sources and are referenced in the notes of the slide;
- 'Key Fact': a short, mind-opening description of the trend en/or its impact;
- Assessment of the major industries impacted by the trend as well as the timeline impact, in a comprehensive heat map;
- Notes with access to +300 sources (reports, articles, infographics) saving you hours of research! Over 90% of the sources date from after 2012!
- Button for easy navigation to and from the fact sheets and the main menu (works only in presentation mode)
This document will save you hours of research time, and will help you to:
- prepare your team for long-term planning sessions;
- understand the long-term challenges for your business and industry;
- discover new opportunities and innovative ideas;
- engage in meaningful discussions with your clients and partners.
List of 65 megatrends covered in the 2016 version:
Major changes of the 2016 version:
- lighter, more comprehensive 'look & feel' of each sheet;
- 6 megatrends added in comparison to 2015 version;
- Refreshed sources and charts;
- Neutral (logo-free) sheets and colours.
ADDITIONAL FEATURE: Heat maps with the impact of trends (by type) on 15 industries!
Buy the full 2016 updated document now in order to save hours of research and get fresh insights for your planning or innovation session!
You pay only 299$ for over at least 80 hours of research!
Buy the full 2016 updated document now in order to save hours of research and get fresh insights for your planning or innovation session!
You pay only 299$ for over at least 80 hours of research!
Delivery by e-mail within 3 business days! Don't forget to mention your e-mail address in your order.
An official invoice will be sent together with the document.
The purchased document is exclusively for internal use by the acquiring company.
Get some sample fact sheets here:
An official invoice will be sent together with the document.
The purchased document is exclusively for internal use by the acquiring company.
Get some sample fact sheets here:
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