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FuturistU > Innovation & Change > Ability to Change > Module 3 / 7

Neurological Shortcuts

Instructor: Jeremy Gutsche
This module looks at how over time, we become more intelligent, but we dramatically lose our raw creativity. The key is that our brain has a series of neurological shortcuts meant to make our lives easier. Instead of coming up with 200 ideas for every possible challenge, our brain narrows our thinking, reverting to things we've seen done before. That's great for making life simpler, and for times where you need to make a split second decision. However, it is terrible for innovation and change and times of chaos and change.
Workshop Question:
How could you retrain your brain to proactively hunt for opportunity?
View Innovation Webinars

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Creatine Supplement
Wellness brands are repositioning creatine as a general health supplement
Trend - Creatine is a supplement commonly used in pre-workout and post-workout products for the purpose of increasing muscle training and endurance. The popularity of the amino acid has led to brands infusing it into beverages, gummies, and general health products for general consumers' health.
Workshop Question - How could your brand integrate its products into consumers' daily lives?
8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Advanced Baking
Baking kits are being offered with more upscale designs and ingredients
Trend - Elevated baking kits are giving consumers the opportunity to make the more sophisticated baked goods they see in stores or on social media, at home. The advanced flavors and designs of these kits make them suitable for everything from hosting to shared experiences with family.
Workshop Question - Which changing consumer behaviors or lifestyles could your brand better appeal to?
7.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Sustainable Holiday
Easter candy is now being produced with sustainability in mind
Trend - Holiday seasons in North America tend to involve a lot of consumption, which inevitably leads to waste. Now, brands that are marketing their Easter-themed products are also highlighting their sustainability, whether that's in packaging or in their ingredients.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing sustainability?
5.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
DEI Revamped
Employer inclusivity strategies must reach higher standards post-pandemic
Trend - As consumers continue re-prioritizing their lives post-pandemic, they crave a more clear sense of purpose in their work. One way to achieve this in the workplace is by offering a more comprehensive DEI strategy. Diversity, equity, and inclusion have become all the more important to consumers seeking ways to make the world a better place on a daily basis.
Workshop Question - What is your current DEI strategy, and how can it improve?
5.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Brand Activist
Influencers are replaced by representatives of social change in online campaigns
Trend - The pandemic ushered in varying degrees of change, including a political reckoning wherein the idea of activism became more mainstream and social media-friendly. Brands looking to participate in these conversations in a way that goes beyond lip service are doing so by replacing influencers with known activists.
Workshop Question - What is a cause that is important to your brand, and how can you become more vocal and active about it?
5.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
STEM Subscriptions
Subscription boxes for kids are based on building STEM skills
Trend - As STEM skills are introduced to children at earlier ages, brands are offering subscription boxes with educational toys, visuals and activities that help build and improve children's STEM skills over time.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing the development of its customers?
6.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Accessible Sneaker
Brands are launching sneakers designed to accommodate people with disabilities
Trend - Mainstream brands are launching new footwear options designed to improve the lives of people with disabilities. These include sneakers with a hands-free design for those with limited dexterity as well as unique design details that focus on the senses of touch, sight, and sound for those who require sensory-focused accommodations.
Workshop Question - How can your brand be more inclusive in the products or services you offer?
6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Low-Waste Cooking
Consumers prioritize waste-reduction while cooking at home
Trend - Brands are helping consumers who are trying to limit the amount of food and packaging waste they use with products and services that empower them to reduce waste while they're cooking at home. Everything from cooking shows to cooking planner apps are helping consumers do this.
Workshop Question - How is your brand empowering its customers to be more eco-friendly?
7.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Gaming Supplement
The health and wellness industry accommodates gamers with specific supplements
Trend - With the esports industry being as influential as it is, brands in the wellness space are increasingly targeting gamers. This shift includes the offering of gamer-specific supplements that promise benefits like enhanced concentration and alertness.
Workshop Question - What's an unlikely industry or set of consumers that your brand could help?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
In-Game Inclusion
In-game features, storylines and campaigns prioritize inclusive representation
Trend - In-game functions, stories and marketing campaigns are prioritizing inclusion for a range of demographics. Everything from real-time language translators to history based, anti-racist storylines are giving the industry some much-needed inclusion and representation.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing accurate representation and inclusion?
3.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends