How The 2010s transformed business, and what the next decade has in store
By Heikki Väänänen, CEO & Founder | HappyOrNot
Next year marks the beginning of a new decade, so for my most recent Forbes article I took the opportunity to look ahead and consider what the business landscape is going to look like in the future, and reflect on how things have changed since HappyOrNot was founded back in 2009.
How has the business landscape changed since 2010?
There’s no question that technological innovation in the 2010s has left dust clouds that are still yet to settle. The ubiquitousness of smartphones and the rise of artificial intelligence, to name just two examples, are amongst the most significant developments in human history, let alone the last decade.
The 2010s have made it possible for startups, even those with limited resources, to turn exciting concepts into realities thanks to the rise of B2B tools and platforms which allow companies top connect globally and access essential data analysis, crucially without the steep overheads that once made these the reserve of large corporations.
Another significant development in the business arena includes a shift in the way that employees are treated, with employers investing resources into workplace wellbeing and development. This change in workplace culture continues to show significant promise, and employee empowerment has led us there.
It is hard to reflect on the past decade without also mentioning advances in data analytics. Companies are now able to use a myriad of affordable tools to make tangible improvements to their services, informed by specific CX data. Decisions are now being made based on empirical data, rather than on assumptions, which are often clouded by subjectivity. The impact of this cannot be overstated.
So, now to the more challenging question – what does the decade ahead look like?
I have no doubt that most of us would agree that the road ahead will be defined by both technological advances and the development of socio-environmental solutions.
For starters, there isn’t a single business sector that won’t be radically transformed by further developments within artificial intelligence and machine learning in the coming ten years, with both set to radically change the ways we live and work.
As for virtual reality and augmented reality, I believe that as they become more and more sophisticated we can expect these immersive technologies to have a significant impact on the business world, rather than just being for entertainment purposes.
I also predict that the sharing economy will continue to increase productivity, sustainability and help us to better manage our finite and explore resources, while 5G will live up to its potential.