12.13.17
Next Big Thing–3 Entrepreneurship Trends to Watch in 2018
Karl R. LaPan, President & CEO of The NIIC
It’s that time of year when we look toward the next one. We at The NIIC are always keeping our fingers on the pulse of best practices and trends, especially those related to entrepreneurship. That said, here’s what some of the experts have forecasted for 2018:
The contingent and remote workforces will continue to expand.
The days of workers reporting to a brick and mortar office every day for eight hours straight are becoming a thing of the past. According to a Gallup report, 43 percent of American employees spend some time working remotely, which is expected to increase in 2018. Almost every industry is seeing an increase in telecommuting.
What does this mean for entrepreneurs? Many startups around the world are seeing the value in outsourcing clerical jobs to remote workers. Think virtual assistants. In addition to reduced costs in the form of benefits and overhead, companies can tap into the human capital from all around the globe. No longer do you need to strictly rely on the availability of an able and willing local workforce.
Interactive marketing will drive retail brands’ efforts.
It can be difficult for brands to stand out from the crowd these days. There’s so much noise—it can be hard to cut through the clutter. That’s why authentic and interactive marketing is so important, especially when it comes to social media. Consumers expect to be able to interact with their favorite brands in real time. They also look to influencers. Brands that fall short risk losing customer loyalty. So what? If you’re a busy small business owner, it can be advantageous to outsource your social media content creation and management and focus on your core offerings. Don’t let your communication suffer for the sake of saving a few dollars.
(Smart and connected devices) will drive innovation across many vertical markets.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a rapidly evolving tech sector. It’s expected that we’ll see 20 billion connected devices by 2020. The market is rife with opportunity for entrepreneurs in more ways than one. According to Tech.Co, “IoT affects all industries and can actually help entrepreneurs improve their business’s efficiency, customer relationships, and bottom line.”
I’m excited to see how and to what extent these concepts will play out in the marketplace. Which one has you the most intrigued?
