SOCIETAL & CULTURAL TRENDS

Trends?
Workplace
Technological
Societal

What is a trend and what is its importance?

A general direction in which something is developing or changing. It is important as it will help shape the future.

What are some Technological Trends for 2012?

• e-learning
• New technologically advanced mobile phones and tablets i.e smart phones
• Payment methods
• Methods of teaching 
• Modern vehicles are smaller to enhance fuel economy
• Electric and electric vehicles are becoming more common
• Social Media
• Cloud computing
• Digital TV
• Online trading

The Top 5 Technology trends for 2012 - (CNN, 2011)

1. Touch computing
2. Social gestures- "frictionless sharing" relevant APP
3. Near field communication (NFC) and mobile payments- 
4. Flexible Screens- bendible interfaces
5. Voice Control- Send text messages, create reminders, search the web

Minaturisation- 

• Making things smaller

Technological Trends-

• System Integration- Combining many systems into one
• Automisation- Making things automatic

5 Workplace Trends

1. The Continuing Distribution of Organisations

Collaborative decisions wanted, utilize technology for communication , outsourcing, work distribution outsourced, work task distributed.

2. The Availability of Enabling Technologies and Social Collaboration Tools

Work collaboration tools i.e video and audio conferencing, data sharing, instant messaging,

Social media collaboration tools i.e internet forums, weblogs, blogs, wiki's, podcasts

3. The Coming Shortage of Skilled Workers

4. The Demand for More Work Flexibilty

5. Pressure for More Sustainable Organisations and Workstyles

What are some current Societal Trends?

• Legalisation of same sex marriage
• Globalisation
• English becoming the dominant language
• Kiwi's moving to Australia "brain-drain"

News Article Exercise: Economists fret as petrol price soars

Identify the trend: 

• Fuel prices increase to its highest prices ever

Social Impact of the trend: 

• Household spending
• Financial recovery
• Gull maintains fuel prices at 8c to 13c cheaper than other competitors, helps people
• Cost of living increases
• Lean towards saving fuel or fuel exploration
• General cost of everything will go up as fuel is a key commodity