| The cult of innovation returns to haunt us every | | | | also on distribution. Improved packaging and |
| decade. In the stock market, such occurrences | | | | logistics are as important as better agricultural |
| lead to disproportionately high valuations of | | | | techniques. Still today, large amounts of food are |
| technology companies. In colleges and universities, | | | | ruined during transportation and storage. |
| the demand for biotechnology and | | | | 2) Health services: in addition to the development |
| computer-science courses grows. In the job | | | | of new patentable drugs, efforts are being |
| market, companies hire less accountants and | | | | devoted to improving hospital management. Pilot |
| more engineers. | | | | projects carried out in the last decade have |
| At those times, newspapers report the creation | | | | shown that a better organization of resources can |
| of novel businesses and professions. Radio talk | | | | slash patients waiting time at the same time that |
| shows announce that the world has changed and | | | | overall costs are reduced. |
| that nothing will remain the same. Television | | | | 3) Housing: the last decade has led to overbuilding |
| commentators ask viewers to forget traditional | | | | in some areas and new construction activity |
| ideas about the economy and invest their savings | | | | should concentrate on the most profitable |
| on technology. | | | | segments of the market. Pre-manufactured |
| Periods of foolish exaggeration end badly without | | | | housing is still underdeveloped in many countries |
| exception. Shares experience a momentous rise | | | | and can be expected to grow in the 21st century. |
| before a collapse in their price. Companies cut | | | | 4) Clothing: the internet has changed how the |
| down on research and salaries for scientists | | | | fashion industry operates. The separation of |
| return to reasonable levels. Biotechnology | | | | design and production is bound to continue during |
| graduates cannot find jobs in high-technology | | | | the next decades with an emphasis on increased |
| companies and opt for less glamorous positions in | | | | speed. It is conceivable that, in the 21st century, |
| the food industry. | | | | the time that elapses from design to consumer |
| The misconception behind those fads is that | | | | purchase is reduced to a few days. |
| technology can multiply essential human needs. | | | | 5) Communication and transportation: ubiquitous |
| That idea is false. Every time that investors have | | | | internet access will continue to affect how we |
| fuelled immoderate expenditures on technology, it | | | | work, drive, and communicate. In the next years, |
| has proved a disaster. Every time that journalists | | | | the capabilities of mobile phones should equal |
| have predicted an era of unlimited growth, it has | | | | those of laptop computers, improving our overall |
| led to economic catastrophe. | | | | productivity and quality of life. |
| Technology developments that are unconnected | | | | 6) Culture and entertainment: better digital audio |
| to fundamental human necessities require a | | | | and video technology will continue to increase the |
| long-term view that few companies can afford. | | | | world's cultural output. The 21st century will |
| Original research is a narrow path fraught with | | | | multiply our choice of films, songs, books, and |
| difficulties. Ground-breaking innovation demands | | | | podcasts. What we have seen during the last |
| extraordinary knowledge and dedication. | | | | decade is just the beginning. |
| For these reasons, before you begin to walk such | | | | 7) Financial services: the gap between professional |
| narrow paths, you should ask where they are | | | | and personal money management will continue to |
| going to lead you. Will your efforts take you to a | | | | close. The quality and speed of financial |
| crowded or lonely place? Is there a market on | | | | information should increase further in the next |
| the other side of the desert that will reward you | | | | decades. Improved trading platforms on the |
| in case of success? In any case, you want to | | | | internet will open additional markets to private |
| avoid working for years on a dead-end project. | | | | investors, leading to more transparency and |
| Do not be afraid of selecting a demanding career | | | | reduced risk. |
| path as long as it leads you to a crowded market. | | | | 8) Legal services: pre-paid legal plans, which have |
| Before embarking on any long-term venture, | | | | become successful in some countries, will continue |
| make a pause and assess how that project | | | | to expand in the next decades. Conflict-resolution |
| relates to the eight fundamental human needs. | | | | services should also experience growth in the 21st |
| Here is a check list that you can use. | | | | century as more companies discover the |
| 1) Food: the objectives of food technology are to | | | | effectiveness of arbitration in settling commercial |
| increase productivity, quantity, and quality. | | | | disputes. |
| Population growth, in particular in developing | | | | Irrespective of your business or profession, those |
| countries, requires higher agricultural output at | | | | markets will determine your future. Human needs |
| lower cost. On the other hand, consumers in | | | | revolve around those eight domains, which can be |
| industrialized countries are demanding better | | | | improved and enhanced, but not ignored. If you |
| quality. | | | | choose the narrow path of a difficult profession |
| Research and development efforts in the food | | | | or career, make sure that it leads to one of |
| industry are not focused only on production but | | | | those eight crowded places. |