Feb
06
2008
Get a Jump on What Your Customer Wants Next
by Robyn Waters (14600)
Contrary to generally accepted wisdom, new trends aren’t always spotted early ultra-hip types who are much cooler than everyone else. At the very best, these people help keep a business up-to-date with what’s going on in the world. They’re trend trackers. Instead, you need to become a trendmaster — someone who initiates a new trend and translates it into ideas and concepts that make sense for your own company and customers. The good news is everyone can become a trendmaster by adopting the right mind-set and by applying the A-Z tools and tricks of the trendmaster trade.
The Trendmaster’s Guide
Dec
28
2007
The Next Big Growth and Investment Opportunity
by Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder (24700)
Developing “clean technology” is no longer just a social cause championed by the tree huggers or environmentalists — it is rapidly becoming the next big engine of business and economic growth for a large number of mainstream companies.
“Clean tech” is any product, service or process that delivers value while eliminating or reducing the use of natural resources. As such, clean tech companies and technologies typically:
Harness renewable resources and materials
Reduce the use of nonrenewable resources
Eliminate or reduce pollution or toxic wastes
Deliver superior perofrmance
Provide investors with increasing returns
In the 1970s, clean tech was often labeled as “alternative” and there are six major forces that are fueling the drive towards clean tech:
Costs: clean-energy costs are falling as the costs of oil and fossil fuels steadily rise.
Capital: there is now a large influx of capital flowing into making clean tech products better.
Competition: many governments are going green in order to help create the jobs of the future.
China: the explosive growth of developing nations is driving clean tech development.
Consumers: who are starting to prefer cleaner products which use less resources.
Climate: business feels a need to be seen as contributing to the solutions to the world’s problems rather than generating more.
Today, industry giants like Toyota, Sharp and Goldman Sachs are making multi-billion-dollar investments in clean technology for solid business reasons rather than in an attempt to change the world.
The Clean Tech Revolution