Trends - Essay Example

Trends Trends One can see several emerging trends in the world of tomorrow. These include the invention of new alternatives to oil due to its rising cost. The growing concern for global warming will also lead to a shift from oil-based energy sources to greater advancements in wind and solar energy. Any business that has a positive effect on the environment stands to grow in the future (Wade, 2009). Another trend that the world will see is the increasing popularity of online shopping. With online banking getting the confidence of consumers, more people will prefer online shopping rather than go out and shop at malls (Wade, 2009).

A vivid example of this is that many book lovers now choose to buy books online rather than purchasing them in bookstores. This development has led to the demise of bookstore chains like Borders, the second largest book retailer and a boost to digital retailer Amazon. (Osnos, 2011). Education will also have to reinvent itself. Traditional classroom lectures will eventually find itself being replaced by virtual learning environments. Teachers will rely more and more on available software that will enhance the learning process and increase the motivations of children to learn new things.

One business where one will see a tremendous boom is the outsourcing market. Numerous companies are beginning to realize that outsourcing decreases costs significantly without necessarily reducing efficiency and productivity. In the music industry, one can envision a decline in the business of record labels. Feinberg believes that the trend now is simply to download music through the internet or what he terms as “digital sharing” (2009). Few people are buying original CDs of recording artists because downloading music through the web is free.

It is also easier to share music nowadays using the latest technology such as Ipods and Iphones. Indeed, man’s needs are changing with the changing times. With these changes come new trends and with these new trends come new business opportunities. One may see the demise of some industries but one also expects that these industries will eventually be replaced by new industries which adapt to the advancing technologies of mankind. Works CitedFeinberg, J. (2009, August 18). What will record labels look like in the future?

Retrieved August 8, 2011, from pbs.org: http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2009/08/what-will-record-labels- look-like-in-the-future230.htmlOsnos, P. (2011, July 26). The end of Borders and the future of the printed word. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from theatlantic.com: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/07/the-end-of-borders-and-the-future- of-the-printed-word/242545/Wade, B. (2009, October 19). 10 Business opportunities for the future. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from ideate.co.za: http://www.ideate.co.

za/2009/10/19/10-business-opportunities- for-the-future/