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FuturistU > Innovation & Change > Ability to Change > Module 5 / 7

Optionality

Instructor: Jeremy Gutsche
This module introduces the concept of optionality and looks how decisions we make today can limit our choices and opportunities of the future. We tend to make decisions that get short-term results, not realizing that certain choices can fix us to the path we are on and reduce our future potential. Optionality is about making decisions that increase our future choices.

To illustrate the impacts of optionality, Jeremy highlights examples from the CPG industry and his own journey building Trend Hunter and the Future Festival events. Throughout the module, you'll learn why and how seemingly small decisions you make, can have massive impacts on your future. You'll also learn more about how you can tap into optionality to increase your options and your ability to create more opportunity.
Workshop Questions:
1. What five decisions have most impacted your adult life?
2. What decisions are you making to open up your future options?
3. In which parts of your business could you create more long-term options?
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Insights by Trend Hunter AI

AI Reduction
New AI tools are launching with a focus on reducing food waste in the home
Trend - New AI tools are designed to reduce and optimize food consumption habits in the home. These tools analyze food waste patterns, grocery lists, and cooked meals, and create recommendations on how to optimize these habits. This involves purchasing different amounts of foods, altering recipes, and more.
Workshop Question - How could your business leverage artificial intelligence to better meet its environmental sustainability goals?
7.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Virtual Scent
Scent-releasing devices are used in virtual reality applications for immersion
Trend - New products are being developed that monitor virtual reality environments and release scents accordingly. These devices store scents via fluid or wax pads, and can custom-mix sources to produce more scent varieties. This is designed to enhance immersion in entertainment or for scent therapy.
Workshop Question - How could your brand utilize scent-based technology with its products or services?
7.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
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?
6.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Planned Microcation
Modern consumers are taking microcations to save time and money
Trend - Travel agencies are offering 'microcation' packages that include short-duration, event-packed getaways. These vacation are more affordable and are easier to plan than vacations, making them fit for customers of all ages. Microcations can also be taken in quick succession for versatility.
Workshop Question - How could your brand adjust its products or services knowing that the modern consumer takes less vacation time each year?
4.8
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?
5.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Operations
Companies are leveraging AI platforms to optimize production and reduce waste
Trend - Companies in the production, retail, and logistics spaces are looking to artificial intelligence (AI) models to reduce emissions. The AI models help optimize production, cut-out excess waste, better manage inventory, and improve overall sustainability using predictive and analytical models.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage AI models to optimize production and improve overall sustainability in response to increased pressure to reduce emissions?
5.6
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?
4.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Consumer Marketplace
Brands are launching first-party storefronts to connect consumers to others
Trend - Brands across multiple industries are launching consumer-to-business-to-consumer (C2B2C) storefronts. C2B2C offers consumers discounts on products and enables consumers to sell unwanted products while the business handles transactions and verifies the quality of listed items.
Workshop Question - How might your brand benefit from connecting its consumers via an online marketplace or forum?
6.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Sugarcane Package
Brands are using food-safe sugarcane bagasse in consumable goods packaging
Trend - Brands in the several consumables industries, such as cosmetics and food, have begun using containers made out of sugarcane bagasse. This is a pulpy, fibrous material gained from drying and crushing sugarcane. This is affordable, food-safe, biodegradable, and temperature-resistant.
Workshop Question - How can your brand incorporate affordable and sustainable packaging solutions, such as sugarcane bagasse, into your product lineup while still maintaining consumer appeal and affordability?
6.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Non-Coated Sugarcane Packaging
Non-Coated Sugarcane Packaging
'SupraPulp' from W-Cycle is Biodegradable Packaging from Sugarcane
W-Cycle has created a food packaging material called ‘SupraPulp’ that is made from the leftover parts of sugarcane plants. It does not get soggy or leaky when it holds wet or oily food,... MORE
Compostable Sugarcane Containers
Compostable Sugarcane Containers
Eco-Products' WorldView Containers are Foodsafe and Microwavable
WorldView™ Containers from Eco-Products are a line of takeout containers that combine molded fiber bases with clear or molded fiber lids. The bases are made from sugarcane, a rapidly renewable and... MORE
Sugarcane Cosmetics Packagings
Sugarcane Cosmetics Packagings
'Bulldog' Uses Sugarcane Bagasse to Reduce its Carbon Footprint
Bulldog is a UK-based brand that sells natural skincare products for men, such as creams, cleansers and scrubs. Bulldog is the first brand of its kind to make its packaging from sugarcane plastic,... MORE
play_circle_filledCompostable Food Packaging Brands
Compostable Food Packaging Brands
Shanghai Timeco Industrial Uses Sugarcane Bagasse for Packaging
Shanghai Timeco Industrial is a global supplier of eco-friendly food packaging and tableware that can be composted. The company makes its products from materials like sugarcane bagasse, which is the... MORE
Plant-Based Nail Polishes
Plant-Based Nail Polishes
The 'Love by Essie' Nail Polishes Are Made With Sugarcane, Corn & Cotton
Essie, the nail care brand trusted by everyone from everyday beauty lovers to celebrities and high-powered salons, has launched a brand new range of plant-based nail polishes that are designed to... MORE
AI Management
Companies are using artificial intelligence to automate workplace operations
Trend - Companies across various industries are incorporating AI and robotics into their operations to improve efficiency, productivity, and customer experiences. These bots hold important roles, such as CEO or manager, and help deliver important data to businesses and their teams to help streamline key workplace objectives.
Workshop Question - How can your brand automate time-consuming tasks using artificial intelligence?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends