Interview with Germany's most innovative trend researcher:
Mr. Jánszky, you are considered Germany's most innovative trend researcher. What do you do? I am the director of the "2b AHEAD ThinkTank." For 13 years, approximately 1000 CEOs and innovation leaders in the business sector have been designing future scenarios and strategy recommendations for the next ten years under my leadership. My trend research institute advises boards and companies on strategy and innovation management.
What are the biggest challenges that companies will face in the future? The biggest change in Germany in the next ten years will come from demographic change. As a result, the German labor market will lose 6.5 million workers in the next ten years, creating a permanently unfilled gap. This situation will be a paradise for employees but a difficult one for companies.
In your opinion, which trend will most drastically influence the world and each individual in the future? Digitalization. Do you remember the supercomputer "Watson" that won the "Jeopardy" game show on US television in 2011? It provided faster and better answers to every question than the human contestants. By 2020, Watson will have the size and price of your smartphone. Anyone who can afford to buy a phone will have a supercomputer in their pocket that can provide better answers to most questions than any human.
Why do you think "breaking the rules" is so important for companies? Rulebreakers in the business world are people who break the basic rules of their industry. They understand that in every industry, there is a group of customers who prefer to be served according to different rules. Those who understand this often conquer completely new market segments, earn millions, and change the world.
You will be a top speaker at the Stuttgart Knowledge Forum on October 16, 2015. What can your audience expect?
My presentation will start with an imaginary day in the year 2025, from the morning look in the mirror to the dinner table. People will confidently use new technologies. I will also address the fears and reservations about such a future and present the results of several future studies conducted by the 2b AHEAD ThinkTank.
