As the Trends Editors have predicted since the mid-'80s, the years from 2005 to 2010 represent a golden age for entrepreneurs. The convergence of demographics, attitudes, and technology has created the most fertile setting in history for starting and succeeding in an independent business. We'll tell you why this is true, what you can expect, and how you can profit from it.

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In a world where accelerating change is the norm, recurring innovation is at the heart of any successful business model. Organizations have increasingly found that relying on their people to learn rapidly is a slow, costly, and painful process that, too often, simply doesn’t work. Instead, it often makes sense to license intellectual property to and from others. Similarly, it often makes sense to present a problem to a large population of diverse agents rather than direct the question solely to in-house experts. That’s the reality driving the “open innovation” trend discussed previously in Trends. The question today is not whether “open innovation” will become an increasingly important part of your business; it will. The question is how to design business models that tap into this new reality while still effectively capturing a sufficient share of the value created. We’ll examine what every entrepreneur, manager, and investor needs to know about this trend so they won’t be left behind.

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The world of anything, anywhere, anytime, media that the Trends Editors have been anticipating since the 1980s finally achieved critical mass in 2006. Aside from gaming, it’s the fastest-growing area of media. What’s ahead? Who will win and who will lose? What opportunities lie ahead? We’ll explain.

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An expert system is a computer application that performs a task that would otherwise be performed by a human expert. For example, there are expert systems that can diagnose human illnesses, make financial forecasts, and schedule routes for delivery vehicles. Some expert systems are designed to take the place of human experts, while others are designed to aid them. Where is this technology leading? Which industries and professions will it disrupt? We’ll explore the answers.

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In today’s casual world, many have gotten used to a reasonably good fit from off-the-rack garments. However, there are plenty of us who are still willing to pay a premium for the perfectly fitted suit or dress that quietly indicates “success” to clients and competitors alike. That’s the realm of the semi-custom and fully-custom tailors who still serve top professionals whose jobs require that they dress impeccably. Since the late ‘80s, the Trends Editors have been tracking the convergence of CAD, Artificial Intelligence, imaging, and manufacturing technologies as they relate to the garment industry. The big question has been: How long would it be before the tedious process of measuring, cutting, sewing, and fitting was automated into a smooth, effortless process? After two decades of waiting, the quality, reliability, and costs are finally nearing the “tipping point.” What can you look forward to as a consumer, retailer, or investor? We’ll show you.

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Scientists are using genetically modified plants, animals and bacteria as living factories, which produce revolutionary new biotech substances. What will this trend mean for you as a consumer, manager and investor? We'll explain.

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A new breed of restless consumers is motivated by the desire to achieve both status and satisfaction from the products and services they buy. They want the newest, hottest offerings; anything old is considered dull. As a result, they prefer to rent rather than own, to switch brands rather than remaining loyal to one brand, and to dispose of yesterday’s goods rather than keeping them. What are the implications, opportunities, and threats growing out of this trend? We’ll explain.

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