Learning how to identify trends

I am one of those people who is always looking for trends and patterns in data. I don't necessarily mean to, I'm just wired like that. Trendspotter is an e-publication I have previously mentioned that spots and describes new business concepts which may change business as we know it, and shift some of the trends and patterns of business or commerce.

In this listing they actually work to help the reader learn how to spot a trend. What a tough concept to teach! Complex and complicated at the same time. First they set a common language (what IS a trend) and they set context (know WHY you are looking for trends) and the learning continues from there. I think this site does a great job at sense making of a difficult subject.

I also think if we are willing to consider the same format for teaching our colleagues (and ourselves) how to look for trends and patterns in our own data, at work or at home, we might find this method very worthwhile.

Step back Craigs List, look out YouTube

Online person to person marketing continues to expand, change and transition. That is what managing knowledge is all about. People who have a need take hold of what is available and use it to meet that need. In this case, the need is for new and better ways to connect with the external world to sell or trade goods. Creativity and technology intersect to give us a new vehicle: Realpeoplerealstuff.com
“Realpeoplerealstuff.com combines the hottest Internet trends in one, easy-to-use site: e-commerce, snarky writing, funny videos, everyone's desire to be a star and video sharing.”

Truly we are moving into new technologies and fast paced trends which will have long lasting effects. This is one of the latest and quite interesting. How will this effect the managing of knowledge within and between businesses and organizations? Only our own lack of creativity holds us back. Trends used to be fleeting, now they change how we work on a day to day basis. Moreover there is such a fast pace that we can not always identify which trend was the catalyst.

Check it out, see what you think. And then, see how it might apply to your organization. Don't blink. The next trend will be here tomorrow. And it will make a difference.