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FuturistU > Tactics > Innovation Tactics > Module 2 / 4

Consumer Innovation

Instructor: Mark Onufer
Design Innovation
Download the Design Innovation Trend Report
Innovation and innovative ideas are only great if the end consumer accepts it. Too many times brands and organizations around the world generate interesting ideas without having done the preliminary research or simply disarranged priorities leading to failure. In this module Mark covers consumer innovation and two innovation tactics: NASA with Prioritization Workshops and Bath Body Works and Global Scout Network.

Mark starts by telling a story from the Deputy Chief Technologist at NASA and uncovers the idea that different teams with conflicting goals was the largest hurdle in getting them to Mars. After reviewing lessons on the importance of agility being greater than perfection, Mark breaks down a framework for this workshop. Diving deeper into consumer innovation, this module shows you what it would look like to have a network of ‘consumer research ninjas’ providing local and cultural insights to inform your projects. This showcases how something like flowers can not only inspire an entire line of products, but also act as a cultural backboard for depth and narrative. How could you make better use of your customers in your innovation process?
Related Trend Report: Design Innovation
Workshop Questions:
1. Think of 3 factors that could lead to your company's Utopia.
2. How could you make better use of your customers in the innovation process?
View Innovation Webinars

Featured Insights

Trackable Gaze
Software tracking eye movement delivers valuable insight to marketers
Implications - Eye-tracking technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in market research in order to optimize user experience in the digital space. Through the use of biometric tracking software via mobile and desktop devices, brands are better able to understand precisely where consumer attention is drawn, and how they navigate the tools. This new technology speaks to the struggle many brands have had in recent years with understanding how to better establish authentic connections with consumers.

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Workshop Question - How might your brand leverage eye-tracking software to establish a better connection with your consumer?
3.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

AI Hobbyist
For tech enthusiasts, generative AI has become a tool to enhance hobbies
Trend - Chatgpt and similar models are being adapted into everyday life--and even hobbies and recreation are fair game. Tech enthusiasts are particularly likely to use generative AI for personal enjoyment, which can be seen through products like AI-equipped bikes, chess sets and travel assistants.
Workshop Question - How might your brand leverage generative AI to enhance customer journeys or product experience?
8.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Custom Chatbot
Brands are launching services that enable fast creation of personalized chatbots
Trend - Businesses offer tools enabling clients to build fully-functional chatbots quickly. These bots are trained on custom datasets, making them suitable for internal, consumer-facing, or consulting purposes. Businesses across numerous industries can benefit from personalized low-cost chatbots.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage personalized chatbot technology to enhance customer service or streamline workflow?
7.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Decentralized Social
Developers are launching decentralized content platforms
Trend - Independent developers are using shared protocols to create decentralized content aggregator platforms. Companies do not own or moderate these platforms, which offers better privacy than large alternatives. Many of these platforms communicate with one another to form the 'Fediverse.'
Workshop Question - How could your brand adapt to, decentralized social media platforms to better reach modern consumers?
6.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
SMS Commerce
Brands are integrating shopping services into mobile SMS applications
Trend - Retailers are seamlessly integrating text message shopping services into their business models. This allows customers to browse, purchase, and pay for products directly through a text message rather than using a mobile storefront application or website. This reduces online order friction.
Workshop Question - How could your brand benefit from leveraging older, more familiar technology for accessibility?
5.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Mindful Entrepreneurship
Brands release programs that help users learn about and build businesses
Trend - Between competitive markets and economic instability, entrepreneurship has become more challenging for the average consumer to take on. Programs that help users learn about and navigate the process of building a business (or aspects of it) are becoming popular among aspiring entrepreneurs.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better support employees or customers in their personal pursuits?
3.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Fitness
Fitness apps and systems are using AI to help users exercise and assess their health
Trend - As more people exercise at home, brands are releasing apps and fitness systems that are based in smart technology. These systems assess everything from an individual's health to their workouts, and guide them through personalized workouts that adjust based on needs, form and changing goals.
Workshop Question - How could your brand use smart technology to help consumers progress in their personal goals?
7.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Intelligent Inventory
Grocers are using IoT tech to streamline inventory management
Trend - Supermarkets are leveraging IoT solutions to improve inventory management processes. Not only do IoT systems ensure supermarkets are stocked with the right items in the right quantities, but they also help these brands achieve their sustainability objectives by reducing food and energy waste.
Workshop Question - How can your brand utilize emerging technologies to be more efficient?
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Eco Banking
Finance apps allow users to make eco-friendly decisions
Trend - Banking and sales apps are allowing consumers to be more sustainable by offering features that have a positive impact on the environment. These include everything from clothing resale functions to making eco-conscious investments.
Workshop Question - How is your brand empowering sustainability?
4.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Retail Finance
Banking apps are including online retail features and functions
Trend - Banking apps are becoming increasingly functional, now with extended features that allow people to shop (or sell) within the apps. These features help customers consolidate some of their lifestyle habits, merging banking and shopping to create simpler online experiences.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing convenience for its customer base?
4.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Eco Organization
Apps help consumers prioritize eco-conscious fashion choices
Trend - With the fahion industry being an enormous contributor to worldwide pollution, some brands are releasing apps that help users make better choices when it comes to buying, repairing and generally extending the life cycles of their wardrobes.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing sustainability?
5.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends