The global economy is moving into a difficult period, as it transitions to the New Normal. Debt levels are high, and incomes are under pressure, particularly for the large numbers of people moving into retirement.
Cost must be the key criteria when examining the opportunities for new product development and research. Chapter 8 of our free ‘Boom, Gloom and the New Normal’ ebook examines the application of this philosophy to the 4 megatrends that we have identified as being key to the future of the chemical industry:
• Improving water availability
• Improving food production
• Increasing life expectancy
• Reducing carbon footprint
It suggests that the key need is to be practical. Companies should focus:
• In the fields of water/food, on reducing the amount of waste, and the output that is lost when product is moving to market
• In developing new products and services for the over 55s, on core needs such as food, water, health, shelter and mobility
• In turn, this will enable them to ‘do more with less’. Carbon footprint will be reduced, and products will be more affordable
This philosophy is quite different from that seen during the 1982 – 2007 economic SuperCycle. Then, companies competed for the middle ground, as we saw in chapter 7. They added features, and pursued the concept of adding value in order to boost profits. Over time, they focused more and more on the wealthier parts of the global population, and became increasingly disinterested in those outside this privileged group.
Today, however, it is no longer viable to focus in this way.
The Western BabyBoomers are joining the New Old generation of those aged 55+, and they face the prospect of much lower incomes as they transition from salaries to pensions.
Similarly, incomes in emerging economies are dramatically lower than those in the West. It is wishful thinking to imagine that these regions can therefore somehow replace the demand for added value products that is disappearing in the West.
Doing more with less is therefore our motto for future success. The chapter contains, as always, a wide range of practical examples to help stimulate ideas within your own business. We are convinced that those who accept its challenges will benefit for many years to come.
FREE DOWNLOAD OPTIONS FOR CHAPTER 8
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