Throughout all ages, business trends have been shaped by definite moments in history. During the first and second world wars, all things related to the military and the waging of battle were most in demand. If you had a tank manufacturing enterprise between the early 1910s and the middle of the twentieth century, you would probably make a large amount of profit. Likewise, if you lived in fifteenth-century Europe and your firm specialized in clothing, the chances of making a good living would be very high.
Today, we live in a world defined by connectivity and communication. It is also a world marred by a virus with no end in sight.
With that in mind, let us explore three of the most important business trends at present.
Customized and Special
Both retail and institutional customers want products that meet their specific needs. Whether you are buying a smartphone, a television, a pair of shoes, or a high-tech production instrument, if a business cannot provide you with what you want, chances are you will find somebody else who can. After all, no matter the industry or field, there are bound to be plenty of competitors offering the same thing for a much more affordable price.
Because of this, enterprises must supply their clientele with customized products and services. Luckily, many firms are now working with reputable business partners who can access the tools necessary for this to happen. For instance, if you work in a funeral home or cremation services business, you can avail yourself of laser engraving machines for granite and other types of memorials to provide your clients with exactly what they need in this incredibly important period of their lives.
As always, the key lies in letting your patrons know that you not only understand and empathize with what they are looking for but are also willing to go the extra mile to make sure they are satisfied.
Participatory Marketing
If you ask 100 different people whether they have a Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram account, in all likelihood, at least 80% of them will say yes, maybe even more. As we move further into the 21st century, men and women of all ages, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds feel a stronger need to share their insight and stories and connect with others at a deeper, more personal level, albeit not face to face. From a business perspective, this has made companies realize that if they are to be successful, they need to engage with potential and existing customers differently from the traditional marketing practices of years past.
But what exactly does that mean? And most importantly, how can it be done? While there are different ways to answer these and other pertinent questions, it starts with a quality, intuitive website, a participatory promotional strategy on social media that focuses on real-time product and service reviews, online events where people can ask company leaders questions, and live gatherings where businesses and their customers can work collectively in the conception, design, manufacturing, and launch stages of their products.
The Technological Boom
When we think about the word technology, most of us imagine robots and other machines, artificial intelligence, all kinds of smart gadgets to make our lives easier and more convenient, and all things the internet. And while this is certainly a large component of what the term entails, it is not the only one.
For example, if instead of trying to shape a cookie with my bare hands, I design a mold where all I have to do is pour my mixture, put it in the oven, and wait 30 minutes, I am using technology to maximize my time and production capabilities. If I can get a bigger oven and two or three other shapes, I can streamline this process and turn it into a small business.
As human beings, we have always been dependent on the very things that we create. Before Steve Jobs shocked the world with the first iPhone on June 29th, 2007, we didn’t even know we needed one. Now we can’t live without it.
The same is true for businesses. Amid a raging global public health crisis like the covid-19 global pandemic, now more than ever before are companies in need of technology-based solutions to aid them in the successful running of their operations. Furthermore, they must leverage these tools to oversee all their processes in a timely, efficient way.
Three trends defining businesses today are the need for customized, unique products, consumer participation in company decision-making, especially as it pertains to marketing, and the advent of technology. In an ever-changing global spectrum, they remain integral parts of the foundation towards corporate prosperity.
