Excuse my spelling just in case I spelled the title wrong, not one of my stronger attributes. I think the biggest facination I have with business is recognising human behavior and then finding a way to stimulate that in a way that will be beneficial to myself and the other party. When we look at the economy in general and see where exposable income is going it is not really hard to imagine how many ways this can be manipulated.
Huge amounts of money are spent in the pet trade, the clothing industry, automotive, entertainment, hobbies, sex, music, etc.
When you actually start breaking these purchases down to an emotional level it becomes clearly evident that self image and feeling good about onesself is one of the primary factors at a core level. Some types of purchases are basicaly a one time purchase while other become part of the everyday lifestyle of an individual. Durring times of recession and tight economies these same types of items are usually the first that are cut back on, but the desire to still feel good about oneself is as stong as ever if not stronger durring these same periods.
Some business people are said to be very adept at keeping their finger on the pulse of the general public, being more keenly aware than most of how the general mood of things is going. While others are very adept at simply watching trends and moving quickly to jump in on the action. Durring periods of change voids are created in some areas while surpluses are created in others. I believe a successful business person knows how to take advantage of the surpluses and convert these things into usable commodities that will help fill the voids.
For the past 20 years or so I have had this sense of a global attitude change taking place. Subtle to the point where it is almost imperceptable. I feel we are leaning toward a world where material things will start to take a back seat to more creative things, this might incluse education, art, hobbies any thing relating to personnal development at many different levels. I think humans have a primal urge to explore, create and discover. The huge sex and gambling idustry is a good example of how people respond when they feel there is nothing left to expore or create.
My question to entrapanuers is. What can we do as businessmen and women to have a positive effect on society in general while creating thriving industries with carreer opportunities and a general positive affect on families as well as individuals? Steve