The sessions further highlighted the interconnected nature of technology, consumer behavior, and organizational culture. Moving forward, businesses must embrace flexibility, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of emerging trends to foster sustainable growth and innovation. By embracing new approaches to energy, work, and branding, companies can better position themselves for long-term success in a world increasingly driven by technology and shifting consumer expectations.
Overall key takeaways from the Future Trends track detail some of the main innovation themes from the 2024 edition of FEI. All Things Innovation has endeavored to curate the list with a selection of key resources devoted to each topic for further research.
FEI 2024 Future Trends Overall Key Takeaways
- Exploring the potential of geothermal energy to power cities.
- Geothermal energy as a sustainable solution for urban energy needs.
- Emphasis on building trust and partnerships to drive adoption.
- Reimagining the energy landscape for a cleaner, more efficient future.
- Additional Resources: “The Potential of Geothermal Energy: Exploring Untapped Resources in the USA,” from Integ Consulting.
- “Geothermal Energy,” from Giving Green Earth.
- “Full Steam Ahead: Unearthing the Power of Geothermal,” from National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
- “Geothermal FAQs,” from Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.
2. How Gen Z is reshaping work and education.
- Gen Z’s tech-savvy nature and reliance on social media for business ventures.
- The importance of flexibility and autonomy in the workplace.
- Redefining education with self-directed learning and online platforms.
- Emphasizing cross-generational collaboration to drive innovation.
- Additional Resources: “8 ways Gen Z will change the workforce,” from Stanford University.
- “Understanding Generation Z in the workplace,” from Deloitte.
- “Helping Gen Z Employees Find Their Place at Work,” from Harvard Business Review.
- “How is Gen Z driving shifts in how we all live, work and play?” from EY.
3. How digital natives are leveraging technology in learning and work.
- The rise of online education and its impact on traditional schooling.
- The shift toward remote work and its influence on the modern workplace.
- Adaptability as a key trait in the digital-first world of work and education.
- Additional Resources: “How innovative companies leverage tech to outperform,” from McKinsey & Company.
- “Digital Natives Vs. Traditional Titans: Navigating The Corporate Landscape In The Digital World,” from Forbes.
- “How Digital Natives Are Building Optionality for the Future,” from BCG.
- “How Digital Natives are Reshaping Our World,” from LinkedIn.
4. The evolving art of branding in the digital age.
- Understanding cultural trends and their influence on consumer behavior.
- Connecting with consumers on an emotional level, not just a functional one.
- Innovative marketing strategies that resonate with today’s consumer.
- Additional Resources: “How to create impactful branding in the age of AI,” from Fast Company.
- “Customer Experience in the Digital Age,” from Columbia Business School.
- “What is customer emotion?” from Qualtrics.
- “Harness the power of emotion in digital advertising,” from Kantar.
5. The importance of real innovation over flashy appearances.
- True innovation goes beyond spectacle, focusing on lasting, meaningful change.
- Encouraging organizations to focus on substance and tangible impact.
- Avoiding innovation theater and ensuring real value creation.
- Additional Resources: “Why Innovation Fails: From Theater to Tangible Results,” from LinkedIn.
- “Your Employee Innovation Program Can Accidentally Kill Innovation,” from IdeaNote.
- “4 Steps To Avoiding The Innovation Theater,” from Itonics.
- “The innovation theatre trap,” from Duke Corporate Education.
Click the following links to dive into each Customer & Future Trends session:
- Neat Future Trend: Transitioning to an Equitable and Efficient Geothermal Networks: Isabel Varela, Science Director, HEET
- From Buzzworthy Trends to Bite-Sized Bliss: Leveraging Adjacency Thinking to Reimagine Chocolate-Covered Pretzels: Erin Mays, CEO and Co-Founder & Kalyn Rozanski, Chief Visionary Officer, EBCO
- Guidance from Virtual Natives & Interconnected Realities: Leslie Shannon, Head of Trend and Innovation Scouting, Nokia
- Corporate Innovation: Internal & External Best Practice: Carley Hart, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Runway Startups, Cornell Tech
- Actively Solving for Generational Realities: Olga Diamandis, Senior Executive, Innovation, TE Connectivity
