Analyzing Global Trends for Business and Society - Class #1 (Introduction)

Global Trends in Business and Society affect:

• Consumer Markets
• Labor Markets
• Financial Markets
• Politics
• Geopolitics
• Natural Resources
• Global Relationships

Global trends affect regions, countries, industries and even firms in heterogeneous ways. Global trends do not change everything on their way. They have very large profound effects on some part of the world, for some industries, for some companies, but not for all.

Uncertainty will be a key feature in understanding global trends, hence these trends entail both challenges and opportunities.

What's needed?

• New programs, new products to be launched in the market place to take advantage of the Global trends?
• New Business Models for Companies? as a results of some of the Global Trends
• New Decision Models for Individuals? as a results of some of the Global Trends
• New mindset? Re-think assumptions?

Some initial questions for discussion:

As of today, do more people in the world live in cities or in the countryside?
     Hint: More people live in cities than in countryside since 2009

Are  there more people suffering from hunger or from obesity?
    Hint: There are more people suffering from obesity than from hunger since 2010   

Are the largest consumer markets, in the US and Europe or in China and India?
    Hint: The largest consumer markets are in Europe and US today, but within 20 years they will be in India and China

Is the number of failed states greater or smaller than the number of dictatorships?
    Hint: There are more failed states (like Somalia, Iraq,...) than dictatorships since the late 1980s.


What you will learn...

• Concepts and tools to analyse how the world is changing.
• The direction and intensity of trends in the Global Marketplace.
• The relevance of the main risks threatening businesses and societies around the world

How to take this class:

1. Take each week's opinion survey.
2. Watch mini-lectures
3. Try to answer the discussion questions
4. Consult the powerpoint presentations
5. Do the readings
6. Answer the quiz or test at the end of each week
7. Participate in discussion forums and social media

Manifestations of Global Economy:

• Increased cross-border activity
• Supra-national organisation and forums
•  UN
• World Bank
• International Monetary Fund

• Attempts at Supra-national political organisation     
• European Union (EU)
• North American Free Trade Agreements (NAFTA)
• Spread of idea and practices
• Awareness

Know more about Supranational Organizations and forums:
UN:http://www.un.org/

World Bank: http://www.worldbank.org/

International Monetary Fund: http://www.imf.org/external/index.htm 

European Union: http://europa.eu/

North American Free Trade Agreements: www.nafta-sec-alena.org

Analyzing Global Trends >> Click Here >> Youtube Playlist

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Happy Learning,

Rey