Global Shifts

Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by admin in Trends

Fifty percent of the world’s population live in cities and by the year 2050,
6.4 billion people will be urbanites.
In 2009 we felt the impact of globalization as economies crashed driving home our inter-connectedness. Digitally united, technologically driven, our world and its weather are changing rapidly!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Heightened 3D Augmented More Real Reality

2010 is the year for applications that allow one to interface faster, more efficiently and creatively with the world (= reality)! Digital convergence has changed how people interact, meet, buy, sell, communicate, relax, LIVE. Augmented and extended reality applications and devices, track and report applications, user-friendly hardware and software is the BOOMING market. Brands, marketers, companies, hell… countries will need radical paradigm shifts to encompass and meet the needs of techno-savvy consumers who need immediate feedback, instant gratification and constant nurturing.

Luxury is time to smell the roses

In a world of things, things and more things, the definition of luxury has been transformed. The big spending consumer is a sophisticated urbanite with everything but time. Increasingly in a world where mink coats are cruel and passé, bling is bad, ostentatious displays of wealth are OTT, luxury is about less style and more life – time to smell the roses, to reflect and connect with you, family, friends, and the environment. That is not to say that Louis Vuitton is out of business, but that people are grappling with materialism and a new age mentality of restraint.

Finding the ME in Big Mac Land

Mass media, mass culture, mass production has sapped the soul of the individual. More people are searching for unique personalized products, experiences and places that treat them as individuals. It is a direct backlash against brands that have reduced everything to crude and basic demographics. Companies that cater to that need are on the up and up. From personal banking consultants, to made for you perfumes, to trawling outdoor markets for the handmade, one off or commissioned product that says “I am no number!” Marketers will do well to heed the need for personal, individualised and niche promotions.

Brands Adapt or Die

Consumer habits and needs are changing moment to moment as they respond to the latest gadget, technological innovation and fad. Brands needs to be respond quickly to these surges by anticipating and catering to the ever increasing/changing consumer behavior.

Collaborate to Relate

Passive consumerism is out. The collapse of 2009 has resulted in a loss of faith – in institutions, politicians and brand promises. The rise of social media means that we are creating communities who are constantly in contact, sharing information, networks and knowledge. Across a spectrum of social media sites; like minds have come together; to create tight communities that maybe divided by continents, but are united through their world views. In the chaos of undifferentiated brands, those that involve consumers and stakeholders from step one will prevail. Brands that engage intelligently with consumers via social media not only are able to defuse negative reviewing but are using it to collaborate on the creation of new products engendering loyalty from step one.

Green is still Hot

Despite the Copenhagen fiasco/farce, eco-friendly living has become the mainstream. 2010 will see companies that greenwash, named and shamed. Consumers are tired of empty promises, double speak and a willful distortion of the facts. But it’s hard for the ordinary consumer to make environmentally friendly lifestyle choices with the plethora of more harmful but cheaper products. Companies that offer consumers MORE green products and services at better prices are going to steal the march on their competitors. 2010 is going to be a year when governments start legislating to ensure a safer, sustainable environment.

Meet the 2010 Challenge

Posted on 09. Dec, 2009 by admin in Trends

Understand the numbers to beat the budget cuts

Yes, really understand them by investing in analytical skills that allow you to make strategic, fact based decisions that arise out of relevant insights from all the available data. Some sectors may be out of the recession but financial constraints will continue for a long time yet and we know that marketing budgets are the first to get the snip. Demonstrate marketing value with hard facts rather than waffling subjective extrapolations. Remember no proof, no money!

Know thy customer

The modern consumer is sophisticated, knowledgeable, aware and UNLOYAL. No one wants to be treated with disrespect or kid gloves so don’t patronize. Engage in authentic and real dialogue and above all ADD value to their lives through the experience of your product, service and brand.

Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.

So maybe there have been budgets cuts and you need to market more for less. Rethink your strategy, embrace the online revolution but don’t make assumptions about traditional media being too expensive. Print media and television advertising owners have also been pinched by the recession and so like you are offering “specials” and added value packages.

Be a socialite.

Master the art of using social media like Facebook, blogs, wikis, Twitter, YouTube. Companies around the world from big corporations to start up businesses are using these social utilities to create buzz, generate support, promote events, expand databases and create dialogues around their brands. They are ideal platforms for word of mouth endorsements, creating brand champions, viral campaigns and interactive brand experiences.

Green Tip for September

Posted on 09. Oct, 2009 by admin in Trends

Green Tip of the Month

South Africa has perfectly acceptable tap water. If you’re worried about the chemicals and the odd wriggly thing that may get in then buy a filter that either fits onto your tap or a filter jug – don’t buy bottled water – it’s expensive, probably tap water anyway and most importantly – it comes in a PLASTIC BOTTLE!

Green Tip for August

Posted on 27. Aug, 2009 by admin in Trends

Green Tip of the Month

It’s getting warmer and soon we won’t be able to hide winter flab behind layers of clothing. So my green tip is eat vegetarian meals at least five times a week.

You will lose weight, feel more energetic and most importantly cut down on your carbon footprint since cows, sheep and other four-legged creatures of that ilk produce a potent greenhouse gas called methane – bad news for the environment and as bad news for your health!

Green Tips for July

Posted on 29. Jul, 2009 by admin in Trends

An average 24kg PC burns 240kg of fossil fuels, produces 22 kg of harmful chemicals and consumes 1.5 tons of water. On the contrast, the manufacture of cars or fridges only consumes between one and two their weight in fossil fuels. As importantly, computers contain hazardous substances including lead, cadmium and mercury which pollute the air, soil, water and eventually people.

So, my green tip for the day is:

Switch your computers and other digital equipment OFF when you are not using them.

Instead of buying new, buy a recycled computer – it’s cheaper and easier on the environment.

Instead of a PC, use a laptop because of its size, it uses less energy.

If you are buying a new PC or laptop go to at www.epeat.net and find a computer make that has been certified as more environmentally friendly.

And finally, don’t dump your old hardware, return it to the manufacturers so that they can re-use parts and get rid of it SAFELY or contact Computer Scrap Recycling www.computerscraprecycling.co.za who offer the controlled collection, safe transporting, and environmentally sound storage and dismantling of e-Waste (electronic and electrical waste).