We tackle the crucial business strategy question of distinguishing between trends and fads, providing a framework to prevent costly missteps while capturing genuine opportunities for growth. Steve Fisher explains the fundamental differences and offers practical tools to separate hype from meaningful change.

• Trends are like tides (lasting, impactful) while fads are like waves (flashy but temporary)
• Fads lack substance and fade quickly while trends solve real problems and create lasting impact
• Real-world examples: Google Glass (fad) vs broader wearable tech market (trend)
• Segway (fad) vs micromobility/e-scooters (trend)
• Five ways to identify true trends: examine underlying drivers, check the adoption curve, watch who's adopting it, determine if it solves a real problem, observe if it evolves over time
• Remote work represents a true trend backed by technological advances and changing workplace expectations
• AI has evolved from niche technology to mainstream business tool across multiple industries
• Strategic advice: avoid distraction by every new thing, invest in meaningful trends early, stay flexible as trends evolve

Pick something you've been seeing a lot lately and analyze whether it's a trend or a fad by examining its drivers, adoption pattern, and problem-solving capacity. Join us next time when we discuss "weak signals" – the early hints of future change that most people miss.

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🎧 Listen Now On:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO

Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/

Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

FIF Series EP 11 - Understanding Trends Versus Fads