Five positive signs for business in 2013

This year is off to a flying start and we are already seeing some very positive shifts. This is what I have already noticed. What have you found that is different this year than last?

1. Customer intimacy becomes reality

We moved our language away from ‘call centres’ and ‘CRM’, to being all about ‘Customer Love’ – and creating brands people love. The focus on the customer experience will be fundamental to performance results and NPS (net promoter score) become integral to decision-making. Social media is seen as a listening tool and integrated into the overall ‘big data’ picture.

2. It is all about mobile

New technology, smarter, faster, sooner – everything is instant. The notion of ‘work life’ balance will disappear and it will be replaced with the notion of a ‘fulfilled life’. The line between work and home continues to diminish.

3. Transparency and authenticity will win the day

There will be a massive shift from keeping employees away from social media to encouraging the whole team to share the ‘love’ online in real time.

4. New financial models will be invented

The notion of ‘crowdfunding’ and pre-customer investors will continue. Australia’s interest rates are lower than in living memory, and whilst that’s great for those businesses impressive enough that banks will consider lending to them, investors will seek other ways to make money. People will risk small amounts to be a part of something big.

5. Unions will continue to be less relevant

And the notion of true teams will emerge. Teamwork will become central to the notion of ‘being a true Australian’. Teams will appreciate that without leadership and direction the opportunity to thrive will be diminished. There will be a massive decline in the notion of workers versus bosses… our thinking will mature to the notion that ‘we are all in this together’.

What do you see shifting in your workplace?

One of Australia’s outstanding entrepreneurs, Naomi Simson has received many accolades and awards for the business she founded, RedBalloon.com.au including the 2011 Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year – Industry.