As 2023 rolls around, we should know by now to be prepared for anything! But there are thankfully enough analysts with enough expertise to confidently predict the kinds of trends we’re likely to see in business and in consumer behavior this year. Here are just some of the forthcoming trends and growth areas we can expect to see dominating 2023 according to the experts, so we can all be prepared to take advantage of developments.
Digital transformation
As we have observed over the last two years, the rapid transformation of analogue products and services into digital ones can happen at a rapid pace, and this is looking certain to continue over the next year.
Businesses adopting digital transformation are moving personalized assessments online for anything from mental health to furniture repair and vocational training.
By making services digital that were once in-person appointments, businesses can save time and money as well as creating a more flexible and convenient service for their customers.
Sustainability
Not just a ‘nice to have’ but a clear strategy of governments around the world, a focus on sustainability is now a must for businesses who want to remain on the good side of regulations in many countries. This means building sustainability targets into their business plans and day-to-day operations, looking for ways to improve their activities at every stage.
The rise of AI
Tied in, in many ways, to digital transformation, the rise of AI means allowing computer learning to take on tasks that would previously have been assigned to people.
This might mean product owners and users, who are now able to program devices in their homes such as lights, central heating and vacuum cleaners to learn and repeat daily patterns. It also extends to functions such as online customer services, which increasingly use chatbots to help customers, cutting out the need to employ a real life agent in many cases.
This, of course, saves companies money and – as long as the chatbots are able to adapt and learn – helps customers in much the same way as a real agent.
Remote and hybrid work
The genie is out of the bottle as far as remote working is concerned, and companies have realized that they don’t always need their employees in the office in order to be productive.
This saves money on overheads and, in many cases, increases employee satisfaction by removing the need for an unpaid commute to work. It also offers a more flexible work-life balance.
This is particularly true of hybrid working, where employees and employers can have the best of both worlds, with staff coming into the office sometimes and working from home at other times.
Freelancing and entrepreneurship
Hand-in-hand with remote working is a rise in freelancing and entrepreneurship. This kind of work empowers individuals to make their own schedules and, in theory, earn an unlimited amount of money rather than a regular wage. There are countless online resources and influencers claiming to teach people how to start their own business and earn large amounts of money by doing so, working in areas like email marketing, training and cryptocurrency.