With the holidays over and a slew of unrealistic New Year's resolutions to solve, it's not easy to start the new year off right. Our goals and resolutions tend to change as our priorities change.
ContentsNew Year New MeAnti-Social MediaNew GenerationsSuccessful Trends
Just as you set your own goals for personal growth, you should also set your professional goals.
The predicted business trends of the year, while all different, are based on one single and simple principle:personality. To put it plainly, the road to success begins and ends with character building.
See also:How to set personal SMART goals for success
Businesses are starting to realize that social media does not and never will replace in-person interactions. Even Internet-based businesses without a physical presence recognize this.
Thanks to social networks, smart companies will have the opportunity to reconnect with their customers. As consumers increasingly expect a personal touch from the businesses they patronize, businesses will need to deliver.
Consumers are more likely to interact with human-made posts rather than bot-modified accounts. Adding a face, voice or image to your business will be more important than ever this year as a new generation of consumers enters the industry. This generation values human relationships above all else.
AI is good for mundane and repetitive tasks, but it shouldn't be applied to customer service. Real-time interaction between consumer and business benefits both parties.
Think of it this way:
Through real-time interactions, consumers feel engaged and heard while businesses understand more clearly who their consumers are.
Savvy businesses realize that social interaction goes beyond a live stream. As this generation is dedicated to social reform and community support, businesses will be encouraged to give back to their communities and serve their customers.
Giving back to local or poor communities helps companies appear not only stable and reliable, but also aware of local needs.
Smart businesses already see the value in earning the trust of their customers rather than creating advertisements to grab their attention.
This year will mark the first steps in an overhaul of the corporate structure. Younger millennials are taking on more leadership roles within their industries, bringing with them new and different management styles.
New employees will seek autonomy and flexibility from employers, rather than a good salary. One-on-one meetings will help employees solve problems and improve teamwork.
Consumer demographics are also changing rapidly, as this year will welcome a new era of 21st century adults. Smart companies will embrace this paradigm shift, working quickly to understand this new generation of consumers and make room for them in their professional ranks.
The tech-savvy generations who are at the forefront of leadership roles will drive companies lagging behind in the future. Young and new employees will find it easier to relate to their millennial bosses than previous generations.
See also:4 Helpful Tips for Managing Millennials in the Workplace
Don't let your New Year's resolutions disappear as soon as you walk into your office! The future ultimately remains a mystery to us, but with some smart predictions and a bit of dedication, we can look to this year as a great year for our personal and professional growth.
Think about your own resolutions and try to apply them in a professional setting. You will be surprised at the quality of their collaboration.
Remember, don't be afraid to encourage your business to show some personality and connect with customers.
It's not too late to do your best this year. With the predicted business trends discussed in this infographic, success is closer than ever.
