On the last weekend, I discovered the "Brave New World" by Mark J. Penn, reading his best-seller "Microtrends". The basis of his studies contradict the prediction of total extinction of the free will of the society described by the mass-fiction of Aldous Huxley in 1932. According to the "Penn version of" small groups of citizens have become powerful and are changing the face of society. "We thought, as the mass society increase, we would be standardized in the face and color. But what we saw was that more individualistic it became, "it said Penn during his visit to Brazil in 2008.
The Penn Microtrends point to the growing power of niche consumer and the end of the megatrends of mass behavior and consumption habits, which would change the face of society, influencing the business world. "The small forces behind tomorrow's big changes," said pollster of political opinion in the United States and worldwide CEO of Burson-Marsteller, are originated by the appearance of small social groups that are united by common interests.
I believe that the concepts and research presented by Penn describe our current social composition, that is, we live in a society segmented by affinities. Just look at the internet. Various sites available are true "club relationship." Homogeneous niches that offer services to those who have an affinity for certain groups. In them, the "segments" are identified and often express Microtendências behaviors and needs, which certainly originate economic, political and social.
And how companies can participate in this real "Brave New World"? I believe that there is only one way: to reading the Microtrends the surroundings and get ahead. They certainly indicate the path of inclusion. However, it is important to remember that the processing power of some companies already climbed to success and also led other exclusion.
To take advantage of the opportunities mentioned, we must recognize them and assess their potential, which requires time to think. In this case, the action should be replaced by reflection. We have to stop, take time to observe what happens to the environment, because there is nothing better to predict the future than understand this.
It is important for entrepreneurs and executives devote more time to think about the world, "that is, be careful to practice quiet and careful observation of behaviors and needs of different niches of society and its possible future consequences. This reflection should be encouraged throughout the team of professionals, without hierarchy, through a pluralistic and democratic process that involves all employees, regardless of roles.
Why not spend a few minutes a day to think about each one Microtrends perceived the way to work, at home, among friends, books, press clippings, etc..? Why not talk about those perceptions during a monthly meeting, discussing the impact on business and how the company can anticipate the consequences?
By adopting this new way of analyzing the market changes, no doubt, we are becoming less technical and more human. When we replace the speed and excessive reaction by the action, based on observation of the world we live in, we will be more proactive and turn away from the gloomy predictions, such as Aldous Huxley and the German psychoanalyst Erich Fromm, for whom "the danger of the past was that men become slaves, the danger of the future is that men become automatons".
By Denis Mello (CEO of FBDE | Nexion Consulting (www.fbde.com.br) Consultants and Auditors in Marketing, Sales and Business Management. E-mail: diretoria@fbde.com.br)
HSM Online
14/08/2009