Whitespace: Three trends shaping the world now

Issue 50: June 2009

This month's Whitespace marks the impending dawn of the new financial year with not one but three need-to-know trends.

The first is pecha kucha – an innovative presentation style that's big on impact and low on the snooze factor. The second takes a peek into the 3D, omnipresent future of Internet browsing that's been dubbed "augmented reality". And the third trend responds to the idea that Generation Y is grossly misunderstood, that they're ultimately more inclined to be selfless than selfish.

Pecha kucha: the art of short and sweet

We've all experienced something akin to death by PowerPoint. The feeling of being bombarded by hundreds or even thousands of words on a screen and way too much information pouring out of a presenter's mouth.

But if a new presentation trend known as pecha kucha moves from entertainment to organisational forums, painful PowerPoint sessions might soon be a less common aspect of professional life.

According to Wired magazine, two Tokyo-based architects developed the idea of pecha kucha (which is Japanese for chatter) five years ago in an effort to make presenting a more entertaining experience.

The idea is to foster creativity for placing strict rules on the delivery process. Presenters are allowed to use just 20 images that they can only display for 20 seconds each. This all adds up to around seven minutes worth of visual and verbal content.

According to the official pecha kucha website, over 110 dedicated nights are currently taking place across the world to showcase the ideas of designers, artists, engineers, architects, manufacturers and animators.

Could a pecha kucha approach work for your next presentation?

Perhaps adhering to pecha kucha's strict presenting rules outside a dedicated event could make your presentation a little distracting, a little too creative. But what the growing popularity of this presentation style does suggest is the attractiveness of brevity.

As the old adage goes, no one ever complained about a short presentation.

Click here to see a video of pecha kucha in action.

Augmented reality browsing: information placed over reality

Imagine this: You hold up your smartphone, its camera captures an image of what's in front of you – nothing that special about that. But with the installation of a new breed of software, what's before you could be superimposed with a visual repository of information.

The trend is called augmented reality browsing – the process of placing textual ‘layers' that contain links to information on top of images of the real world.

In many ways, augmented reality has the potential to make the Internet a 3D conduit of information and, not surprisingly, entrepreneurs across the globe are watching its development with keen interest.

The options are petty much endless with a concept like this. For example, it has the potential to dramatically change tourism, alter the way we experience museums or galleries, and empower shoppers with additional, on-demand product information.

One of the first browser programs of the augmented reality kind is Layar, which has been designed for Google's Android mobile phone operating system. The Dutch company behind Layar has already teamed up with local real estate agents, banks and restaurants to make layers of relevant information available.

A video of augmented reality browsing in action is available here.

Goodbye Y, hello First Globals?

There can be little doubt Generation Y has copped a lot of flack. And this criticism is probably far from over. Yet despite this, a growing number of demographers are arguing Generation Y might not be as selfish, lazy or demanding as they're often made out to be.

A recent study by the UK's Ashridge Business School claims members of Generation Y have largely been the victims of media hype. In reality, the study claims, they are no more work-shy or difficult than previous generations at the same age.

Adding weight to this argument is respected US pollster John Zogby whose recent book The Way We'll Be matches detailed demographic information to emerging trends.

According to Futurist magazine, Zogby argues that CEOs and marketers who underestimate Generation Y or dismiss them as painfully self-focused and brand obsessed could soon find themselves behind the curve.

Contrary to public opinion, he says the average 18 to 29 year old has a heightened social awareness, a genuine appreciation for diversity and multiculturalism, and a broad worldwide view in general. Accordingly, he has re-dubbed the generation as First Globals.

To connect with this age group Zogby says companies should stop focusing on mass marketing because “First Globals aren't nearly as materialistic or as ‘branded' as they were conditioned to become”.

Zogby's research suggests First Globals are proving to be exemplars of conscious – as opposed to conspicuous – consumption; they place a premium on honesty and accountability from corporations, politicians, the media and each other.

What does all this mean for businesses?

When managing and marketing to the youth of today it makes sense to look beyond the stereotypes, to consider the benefits of fostering the diversity and authenticity that really matters to this global connected (and currently underestimated) demographic.

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