Often, well meaning analysts misread the future because they rely on what I refer to as soft trends. They are usually based on public opinion surveys, news events that show a pattern, shifts in popular culture, and anecdotal flotsam and jetsam. Hard trends, as the name implies, are concrete and verifiable. They are based on the scientific study of tangible, physical, existing items in our world. They are not derived from shifting patterns in taste and fashion.
People are tangible and their age is measurable, revealing far more accurate forecasts over time.
I believe that the golden door has swung wide open, creating a time of unprecedented opportunity for any individual who notices that the way is clear and walks through with the right knowledge. I also believe that this is the greatest era ever for people who want to run successful businesses and other enterprises. One of the most difficult areas for managers to anticipate is technological change. Because, technology can redefine what is possible. There are ways to anticipate technological change.