What does 2025 have in store for you, and your business?
Trends are the patterns of change shaping every aspect of culture and society, brands and business. They start as weak signals, often deviant behaviours on the edges of markets, and then embraced and amplified by the mainstream. Of course there are short-term fads, but trends are the more enduring ideas. And megatrends are the seismic shifts, illuminating your strategic pathways to the future.
From AI and Biotech to Xenogenesis and Zalpha
I’ve brought together an A to Z of emerging trends that are provocative and powerful disruptors of every business, and also ways to shape and sharpen your own strategies for success. You can explore more about each of these trends in my articles, and in my new keynotes and workshops, to explore the practical implications for you:
Here are the most significant trends for global business in 2025
A is for AI
Growing exponentially, generative and agenic, infused into everything, and a $826.70 billion market by 2030. A is also for Algorithms, loved and hated by humans, and for Authenticity which we all increasingly seek.
B is for Biotech
CRISPR-based gene editing is driving a revolution in medicine, as are new areas like bioprinting, brain-machine interfaces and remote diagnostics. B is also for the Bar Bell economy, where everything polarises to premium or low cost.
C is for Creators
Artists to bloggers, homecrafters to podcasters are building a $528 billion market by 2030, enabled by individuality and social media. C is also for Content, dominating in the digital world, enabled by Curation and Community.
D is for Deglobalisation
After decades of increasing global connectedness, we now see a fragmenting through geopolitics, nationalism, supply fragility and localism. D is also for Digital twins and accelerating Decarbonisation.
E is for Energy transition
As climate change becomes more obvious and urgent, so is the shift from fossil to sustainable energy. Solar and wind, but also hydrogen, geothermal, nuclear, bio and more. E is also for Ecosystem innovation and growth.
F is for Frictionless
Digital interactions have transformed expectations of simplicity and speed, both online and in the physical world. However there’s also friction positive, the need to sometimes slow down, be human. F is also for Filter focus.
G is for Guochao
Chinese luxury brands are increasingly preferred by Chinese consumers. Brands like NIO, Li Auto, and Xpeng combine high-tech innovation with local luxury. G is also for Gamification of engagements, and Green proofing.
H is for Humanicity
In a tech world, the best moments, the most valued and memorable experiences are human ones. H is also for Hybridisation, the fusion of physical and digital, and Hyperconnectedness of technologies, markets, people.
I is for India
Growing GDP at around 7% in 2025, India is the only significant high growth market, compared to 2-3% in most other large economies. I is also for Intelligence, a word captured by Apple, and for Individuality and Intuition.
J is for Joy
Kamala Harris appropriated the word in her campaign, because it was shown by psychologists to register as one of the most positive triggers in a world of chaos and change. J is also for Just in time logistics, speed and efficiency.
K is for Knowledge
In a world of AI, you could argue that knowledge is infinite. But the pursuit of knowledge is a key driver for many consumers. Education has become the most engaging aspect and purpose of branded content.
L is for Luxury2
While some luxury brands have risen to new heights, like Hermes, others like Gucci have fallen. Luxury is not simply about glitz, it is about heritage, meaning, exclusivity and taste. L is also Live-streaming and Local-first shopping.
M is for Microgrids
This might seem a technical one, but microgrids are the decentralised, digitalised future of energy. Where consumers, or prosumers can generate energy locally. M is also for Migration, Microinfluencer and Multisensation.
N is for Net positive
Net zero is not enough. Creating a circular business model is a good start, but better is for business to create more than it started with, a net positive impact on the world. N is also for Nature based solutions and Nostalgia.
O is for Older people
We will see a global 40% increase in Over 60s by 2030. Still active and aspirational, with time and money. But few brands focus on them. Have you seen an ad for older people recently? O is also for Open source, and Optimism.
P is for Personalised
Digital technologies, with huge amounts of data and now AI, can truly personalise anything, from food to fashion, education to insurance. Which is now the expectation of consumers too. P is also for Playful, and Padel.
Q is for Quantum speed
This will revolutionise the power and speed of computing processes over the next decade – from AI to drug discoveries, financial modelling to cybersecurity. Q is also for Qcommerce, from home delivery to super apps.
R is for Regeneration
Beyond circular thinking, to reinvent business models and business processes that restore, renew, and revitalize the environment with positive impact. R is also for Reinvention of every industry, and Retro fashion and living.
S is for Slops
Too much marketing has become mediocre spam – or slops – clogging up our inboxes. It’s lazy, inefficient and unwanted. S is also for Social innovation that has more resonance emotionally, and for Security, and Simplicity.
T is for Tech anxiety
People are increasingly switching off from an over-digitalised world – uncertain about AI, breaking free from algorithms, driven crazy by automated call handling. T is at the same time for TikTok and Trust and Taylor Swift.
U is for Urban design
55% of the world’s 8.2 billion people now live in cities, and rapidly growing, transforming how we build, live, work, shop, learn, socialise, travel and much more. U is also for UGC, user generated content, and Upcycling.
V is for Voice and Visual
Alexa and Siri, HoloLens and Oculus – XR devices are transforming how consumers engage with brands and knowledge – in fast, personal, and immersive ways. V is also for Vigilantes, stepping up where systems fail.
X is for Xenogenesis
65% of CEOs say their business will need to be reinvented or die within the next 10 years. This reinvention is unlimited by sector, geography or capability. It could be anything. X is also for XaaS, anything as a service.
Y is for YinYang
In a crazy, fast and uncertain world, sense and stability comes from balance. By finding connectedness and coexistence, we can better embrace the familiar and unknown, continuity with change, challenge and opportunity.
Z is for Zalpha
In 2030, 75% of growth market consumers will be 15 to 34. Gen Z are digital natives, Gen Alpha are social natives. They have new aspirations, behaviours, priorities, language. Time to get with it. Slay, as they say, or be slain.
Which trends will have most impact on your business? As challenge, and opportunity?
As a CEO, marketer or innovator, finance or technologist, trends help you to navigate a world of relentless change. Indeed as change accelerates – not just because of incredible new technologies but also because of new agendas like climate change, and evolving social attitudes of young and old – so we need to look forwards, more than ever.
Different trends will have more significance depending on your purpose, industry and location. That’s why I bring the best insights and ideas together, as a “kaleidoscope” of change. I then work with companies to make sense of what matters most, building vision and strategy, and how to embrace change as your best opportunities to innovate and grow.
What will you do in 2025?