Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017!

As 2016 comes to a close, it's impact will continue for many decades in front of us. The rapidly evolving social order (reflected in the change in profile of ruling parties in democracies) along with the continued rise of technology in our lives will accelerate change to an unprecedented pace with a high degree of shifting centers of gravity. A few thoughts on what could be for us as organizational stake-holders. 

Digital activism and the rise in social media extremes lead to active social listening. Editorial sits, uneasily, with algorithms. Authenticity and aggression face-off. 

A sense of entitlement co-exists in a more broad based manner along with the age old "work is worship" philosophy. 

Physical assets continue to be replaced by financial assets, our well accepted currency by tech currency -[?]  Verification and security are no longer physical in nature but become game changers for brands and businesses (feel the absence more than their presence) and privacy is redefined. Cyber laws and the regulatory environment evolves, significantly.  

Most importantly, our acceptance of diversity, as a society, is pushed harder and more often than the past leading to a far greater emphasis on co-habitation, social innovation, out-of-the-box thinking and impactful creativity - as a society at a macro level, in businesses in general and specifically in messaging, both content and delivery. Re-imagining the existing order and re-invention will continue to hold us in good stead, perhaps be a vital tool in survival.

And of course, we will, or we must, create our own paradigms and not rely on experts! Remember Charlie Chaplin's view that "cinema is just a fad" :)

At a more personal level, with Yatra's listing on the NASDAQ, new exciting business models to be pursued in the travel eco-system and an organization wide journey to start again with 2,200 colleagues, exciting times are here! 

Goodbye 2016. Hello 2017!