Lesson 1: Driving Future Trends
For our first lesson, we're going to look at why the world looks the way it does these days. This will point to why certain changes are inevitable -- and to examples of those changes.
As part of this process, we'll look at what's broken in many business models and what to demand from any business you look into. And then we'll get to specific opportunities and how to work them, giving you practical information for going out and achieving "do-able" success. So let's start with the world today. Just what is happening, with financial markets collapsing, banks failing, and megalith corporations tumbling? Notice first that it's not happening to all businesses. Many are actually growing in the midst of it all. And that's exactly why this course exists. To be very clear that there is ALWAYS opportunity for those who don't get caught into downward spirals of doubt and fear. So if some businesses are growing, why are others failing? This is really the story of a shrinking world — especially because of the internet, which has connected us all. What's happened is that individuals are becoming powerful. We have access to information and to technology that lets us do incredible things — things that used to belong to big companies, or to no one at all. We can instantly talk (even face-to-face) with anyone on Earth. We can run a business from our home and in pajamas while looking and sounding professional online and on the phone, and while providing professional services or real products. Anyone can have a business through the web. Anyone can be an author with e-books or print-on-demand. Anyone can create a movie and have it watched by huge numbers of people. Anyone's opinions can matter because of blogs, videos, and social interactions online. This doesn't mean that traditional media no longer has power or that mega-companies will no longer provide essential products and services. But it does show us that individuality is coming into its own. We even see the way companies are allowing you to personalize many products. This is a response to the trend of individual power, and the trend is just getting started. Technology is going to make it really flourish over time. As you may know, printers already exist that print 3D objects from what we've created on the computer. Just another example of this trend giving us the power to express our own creativity. So what does all of this mean to you? It means that, in the midst of all the change we're going through, you have the opportunity to succeed by getting involved with businesses that support the power of individuals. There are several MAJOR TRENDS growing right now in response to this. In the next lesson, we'll look at some of these trends. And after looking at them, we'll be able to discuss what is BROKEN in the business models that are collapsing around us ... and even within these trending fields. Because not all of the businesses in these fields "get it." So it's important that you be able to determine what "it" is so you know how to select the very best businesses to break bread with. See you in the next lesson! |
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