Trends networks, ritical thinking

• Trends


  Something that covers almost all of human activities such as politics, beliefs, economics, lifestyle, social life, whether the individuals or groups of people are aware of it or not
• Fads


  Something such as an interest or fashion that is very popular for a short time
• Fads


  • Hoverboards
  • Fidget spinners
• Trend setter


  Someone or something that starts or causes a trend
• Trend analysis


  Based on trend spotting, but extends into developing future scenarios by being conscious of what is currently happening and predicting the future
• Elements of a trend


  • Number of participants

  Pattern of behavior

  Long period of time

  Cause and consequence
• Characteristics of a trend

  • Micro trends: Happen right now and are outright observable

  Macro trends: Provide major changes perceptible at the societal level for a longer period

  Mega trends: Last for decades and are so pervasive as to be generally known

  Giga trends: Affect most areas of human life
• Identifying emerging patterns


  Documentation: Recording observations

  Archive/memory: Easily retrieving documentation

  Analysis: Examining and combining to confirm emerging patterns

  Presentation: Representing findings for easy understanding
• Cause


  An agent that brings about a result or consequence
• Consequence


  Relevant or related to a cause, always traceable to a cause
• Trends


  Appear suddenly but stay for a long period of time
• Fads


  Appear suddenly but are short-lived fashion
• Strategic analysis


  1. Identify the problem

  2. Analyse the problem

  3. Generate a solution

  4. Implement the solution

  5. Reflect on the outcomes
• Strategic analysis


  A system or method that requires deliberate abstract and effortful thinking that breaks down a complex problem into parts
• Intuitive thinking


  Quick and ready insight, the ability to understand something instinctively without the need for conscious reasoning
• Strategic analysis vs intuitive thinking

  Strategic analysis is brain-centered, while intuitive thinking is heart-centered
• Strategic analysis vs intuitive thinking

  Strategic analysis involves hard facts, data and instructions, while intuitive thinking involves hunches, instinct and gut feeling
• Strategic analysis vs intuitive thinking

  Strategic analysis needs time to finish, while intuitive thinking is spontaneous and quick
• Strategic analysis vs intuitive thinking

  Strategic analysis is well-planned, while intuitive thinking is unplanned
• Political networks


  • Relations with government officials, student government, community leaders
• Economic networks

  • Manufacturers, agents, sellers of goods, money lenders
• Social/cultural networks


  • Dance/choir groups, reading clubs, arts clubs, theater companies, kinship ties, neighborhood associations, friendship clubs