Trendwatch 2023: Pragmatic Realism is the way forward
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We like to wait to share our views on general trends for the year. First, by now, some of the prognostications pundits made in December have been proved right or wrong; second, we use the collective intelligence from all of our annual plans for our clients to inform our point of view; and third, we have at least a month of a new Congress under our belts. (The last one we never used to worry about, frankly, but we’ve learned in the last decade to pay attention more closely to the difference between what is happening and what is being talked about – and that definitely contributes to our point of view.) Bottom line, in this topsy-turvy world where what worked before isn’t working now, where priorities seem to conflict more often, and when things seem less easy to predict, we think that Pragmatic Realism is the way to move forward. To consider the chaos of the day, and do what we can, as individuals, teams, organizations, and companies, to control what we can control, to have a framework for the big picture, and to respond to what does happen with an informed and flexible mindset. We will never be post-pandemic in a “return to normal” way, our supply chains are indefinitely unpredictable, inflation hurts, weather patterns we knew and counted on no longer hold true, and even Nate Silver is scratching his head. As a country, we’re tired, and even broken in places. Ultimately, though, resilience and fortitude will keep helping us shine through and move forward productively and positively. We detail a few of the key touchstones we think will help us face what comes our way in our Trendwatch 2023. You can also get the video version here. How to build the mile markers that will help you navigate when the water is murky? – Stop waiting for things to “return to normal” – that normal is over– Re-evaluate your value to your consumer or customer; realign to be the most valuable– Practice “Radical Empathy”– Commit to sustainable business practices What trends are you tacking this year?
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