For episode 7 of The Relentless, Dr. Julie Gurner spoke with best-selling author and senior economic correspondent of The New York Times, Neil Irwin, on the topic of industry trends. With our mission of defying mediocrity, we are constantly looking for ways to break barriers, drive the change, deliver the extraordinary.
Neil comes from a unique perspective in that he started his career in journalism right at the cusp of change. This was a change that transformed the landscape of journalism as we all knew it and, it was the very start of the digital era. Being a part of this change, gave Neil the insight into trends, how to detect them, and how to stay ahead.
Trends aren’t typically an overnight success, Neil explained, and they most likely occur when contributing factors such as technology, culture, or the competitive landscape change overtime. These gradual changes lead to a larger shift or deployment from what once was.
#WhatIf there was a way to begin to notice those slight nuances in an industry, and know just what to do to leverage those changes, top of what’s to come? Well, we are in luck, because according to Neil, there is.
- Find the people in your industry who are influential and follow them through different channels- Staying connected to industry leaders can help you keep your ears to the ground. Consider this effort as an extension of your current network. Following influential leaders on social can help you stay connected to your industry, on a broader scale.
- Follow what publications are saying about your industry- When you stay on top of what media publications are saying about your industry, it can give you a pulse on what’s current, reflections on past insights and data, and any future consumer and industry behaviors. This information will not only help you stay on top of trends, but it can also better position you to grow your business.
- If possible, obtain analyst and industry-based reports that share consumer insights and data trends- Data is a great way to interpret what’s happening in your industry, whether it’s for the good or the bad. Though you may not be the one conducting any of the surveys or gathering the numbers, there’s already lots of great resources online that contain all the information you need to learn about the consumers of your industry. You can obtain this data with a simple Google search or by simply visiting sites such as Inman.com and Realtor.com.
Staying on top of trends can help your business remain relevant in an ever-changing market. Episode 7 is undoubtedly one that can impact the way you see and respond to change. Learn more by listening to episode 7 of The Relentless. #jointheconversation