future trends mapping workshop

©Connector 2017

FU T U RE T RE N DS M APPI N G W ORK SH OP

©Connector 2017

We leverage a fearless approach to creativity, a culture of

learning and a fast moving startup environment to

design digital products, engage influencers and produce

‘real world’ experiences.Some of these ideas build brand,

grow market share and increase revenue for our clients

while others become business drivers within our own

eco-system.

HELLO! J

©Connector 2017

SERVICES

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

We design innovative digital platforms, products and services for legacy brands

and startups that want to differentiate and connect with customers in a fast changing

world.

DIGITAL MARKETING

We are highly experienced digital specialists with an approach that marries

insight driven brand strategy and innovative creative communication to

deliver growth against each brief.

HUMAN NETWORKS

We design human networks that empower your team and communities to work better together, respond faster, co-create and be more effective in achieving their mutual goals. We design human networks that empower people to collaborate and innovate achieving exponential results.

INFLUENCER & SOCIAL ADS

We manage social ads, hand-pick influencers, micro-influencers and communities to amplify messages and deliver results for our clients.

RESEARCH & STRATEGY

Our holistic approach to strategy is underpinned by deep research to understand the client’s business and organisation. We then create transformative creative roadmaps to drive business growth.

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TEAM

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CLIENTS

©Connector 2017

Nicole Owens is a digital marketer and creative strategist at

Connector. She has created content and developed digital

strategies for brands in a variety of industries and sectors;

from FMCG and publishing to music and not-for-profit.

She loves coming up with ways to grow businesses and

build brand awareness, the more creative the better, as well

as providing analysis and strategic direction. She

graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a Sociology and

Spanish degree.

NICOLE OWENS

©Connector 2017

We are pleased to meet you all and would like to thank

you for attending the Connector Open Day.

In this workshop you will learn how to identify key

transformative trends over the next three years, explore

their consequences, and begin to look at how they can be

used to create business opportunities.

By the end of the workshop, you will know the most

important trends and create ideas around how your

organization could act to meet those trends.

HELLO! J

©Connector 2017

FUTURE TRENDS

The aim of this workshop is to discuss transformative

trends in the near future, and explore how our

organisation/s might act to meet those trends.

Powerful trends are reshaping businesses, driving new

technologies, shifting talent needs, and changing human

behaviour. It is crucial for all industries to stay up to date

with these changes, and respond accordingly.

By “trend” we’re not simply talking about transient

fashion fads, but about driving forces in society that have

strong and lasting consequences.

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GROUPING IT ALL TOGETHER

Before we start talking about trends in depth, we’ll begin

with a short exercise called the ’Stinky Fish’.

If everyone could get into groups of 6-8 people we can

begin!

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THE STINKY FISH

The stinky fish is a metaphor for "that thing that you carry

around but don’t like to talk about; but the longer you hide

it, the stinkier it gets”.

Take 5 minutes to think about your fears and

uncertainties in the digital world and write them down.

Share your stinky fish with the group, the goal here is to

normalise uncertainty about the future and open up the

space to talk about it.

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MAP THE TRENDS

Trends fall under 4 categories and we will be asking you

to focus on the relevant trends within each one;

• Business Trends

• Behavioural Trends

• Talent Trends

• Technology Trends

Before we begin, we’ll show you an example of each.

©Connector 2017

BUSINESS

End of Owning StuffInnovative online platforms support the shift away from ownership towards access.

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USER BEHAVIOUR

Co-CreationPlatforms that support creative collaboration and bring communities together like Hit Record.

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TALENT TRENDS

Talent on TapGain instant access to talent with sites such as Upwork.

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TECHNOLOGY

Disappearing TechProducts and services will be seamlessly integrated into normal behavioural patterns.

©Connector 2017

MAP THE TRENDS

This part of the workshop devotes 5 minutes to each of

the 4 categories. Again those categories are;

• Business Trends

• Behavioural Trends

• Talent Trends

• Technology Trends

Write down as many relevant trends in each category onseparate post-its as possible.

Then stick them on the canvas (table / whiteboard) undertheir category.

©Connector 2017

PRIORITISE

Take a few minutes to look at all the trends on the canvas

/ table / whiteboard and prioritise the trends in terms of

which will have the biggest impact.

Base your votes on the trends you think will have the

biggest impact on your business over the coming 3 years.

Place a sticker on the trends you think are the most

important.

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PREDICT

Now it’s time to collaboratively explore the three most-

voted trends and generate ideas around possible

business ideas.

Split into smaller groups of 2-3 and pick one trend to work

on. Explore its opportunities, consequences, potential

risks and imagine how this trend would change your

company if you took advantage of it.

Take 15 minutes to complete the trend template.

©Connector 2017

GROUP REFLECTION

Let the group know an insight that you

took from today that gave you a

positive feeling about the future.

Will you do anything with the trends

and insights you took from today?

future trends mapping workshop

Marketing