Top Business Trends Predicted For 2018

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Whether you’re thinking of starting a new business this year or you’ve already established one, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on sectors and products predicted to boom in the near future. Perhaps you have the opportunity to expand your business and capitalise on the prediction, or maybe you’re looking for somewhere to invest your money or attention. In this article, we’ll look at the top predicted business trends for 2018.

  1. Drones

As this technology becomes more affordable, we see the world from a new, easier to obtain angle. Drones are already used in video production and the military, and over the last two years, they were some of the most popular purchased items for Christmas presents. As the sector figures out a way to bring the cost of these incredible devices down, we’re seeing new and innovative ways of using them. Last year Amazon announced they were trialing using drones to deliver packages, which will mean you can order an item and have it delivered to you in 30 minutes or less.

  1. Natural sweeteners

Obesity and diabetes are causing a national health crisis. The public is now aware of the danger of consuming too much sugar. Since we’re a nation of sweet lovers, it was only a matter of time before serious investment was made into utilising the natural sweeteners the world. There’s such a drive towards mass commercial availability of natural sweeteners that the industry is set to grow 7% year on year between now and 2021.

  1. Products that protect the environment

There is no denying that global warming is getting worse. Our planet is showing vital signs of severe climate change, and the general consensus is that if we are to survive as a race, we need to invest in products and services that protect the environment. Wind and solar power generation, investment in energy self-sufficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are set to continue for at least the next five years.

  1. Alternatives to animal agriculture

Following on from the above, there are strong indications that animal agriculture causes up to 51% of greenhouse gas emissions, more than all forms of transport combined. Asking the public to give up eating meat and dairy seemed unrealistic until Bill Gates threw his weight behind Impossible Foods, a startup that has created a meatless burger so realistic that it even ‘bleeds.’ Aside from its positive effects on the planet, veganism has become an increasingly popular trend thanks to many celebrities that advocate the lifestyle causing an increase of awareness by 500% in some countries in the last three years.

  1. Automation

All around the world, teams full of innovative individuals are working out how we can automate almost everything we currently rely on humans doing. From driving a car to cutting the lawn, to cooking dinner, the automation world is set to soar in the coming years. Soon we’ll be able to avoid those time-consuming chores we hate doing and replace them with automated technology to do it for us.

6. Smart assistants

Smart assistants make everything easier. They’ll turn your music on and off, turn your heating up and down and remind you of important tasks. Why get up and dim the lights when your assistant could do it all for you? Amazon and Google are leading the way with the Amazon Echo and the Google Home, but 2018 will see the launch of other personal assistant brands with varying capabilities. This is definitely one to watch because as the price comes down, it probably won’t be long before almost everyone has one of these in their home and car in some variation.