Future Management & Innovation Consulting Inc.

Almost everybody has heard of it or got already in touch with the word "Podcast". As an artificial connection of Apple's iPod and Broadcast is the modern Podcast a new form of media and information. Recently the number especially of Video podcast has increased because of higher internet speed and the new adjusted products out there in the market. With a bigger storage than usual mp3 player in the past, these gadgets can not only play music but also store a large amount of videos and other informations.
And exactly here is the connection to the internet television - the future of TV. Of course you won't probably watch a 2 hrs movie with a screen that has the size of a sticker. But for news, short information, fun stuff it works quite well.
A couple of years ago the print media was complaining a lot that they were loosing market share and their clients towards the internet. The answer was something like the e-paper or similar approaches - like Napster and the music business a battle hard to win. I call those reactions "chaotic repair actions" cp. picture .

But instead of trying to compete with the internet, publishers could focus on their own core value - trustable news for "on the go". That what is a newspaper or magazine all about - isn't it. A reliable source which people count on in order to make their own decisions.
Maybe it is just nonsense but what would happen if e.g. newspapers bring up their specialized video podcast. Private video broadcast like YouTube is all over the place - even at the presidential election in the United States. Just connect a + b and you have the solution - the customized internet television. By the way... do you remember the launch of CNN and how many people said "nonsense - news television"???

by Quercus

A long time I was considering to write about this fact. But at the end this is a blog and fact is fact.
Japan decided to implement end of this year a so called fingerprinting system. What has that to do with Future Management you might ask. At the first impression probably nothing. However this action will cause reaction (hopefully) and consequences which will have an impact to the future. Therefore it's absolutely a topic for Future Management.

So what does it mean Fingerprint... starting from end November every person (and I will come to that point right away) has to give the fingerprint when entering Japan otherwise the person will be denied to access. And again you might say oh well US is doing that already. The difference is that Japan is fingerprinting "only" foreigners!!!

Now since this decision is done I really feel like an "Alien" in this country. What in god's name is the reason to "screen" only foreigners when entering Japan. The official version of the Foreign and Health Ministries is that it is necessary to gather biometric data from foreigners to prevent diseases and terrorism. Actually so far terror and extremism occurred ed by homecoming nationals like Aum Shinrikyo. So it would absolutly make sence to fingerprint everybody but it does not happen. And why is that...? Because Japanese Public would freak out like it happened in the past (cp. Universal ID in 2006).

It is hard to say what consequences this step will have but it's disturbing to see that Japan as a nation is tighten up their boarders towards foreigners when the whole world is discussing and debating about Globalization.
Start of the Fingerprinting is November 20th 2007. Actually I don't want to imagine what chaos and long waiting lines this will occur. Fact is that you should plan more time at the airport when coming to Japan.

by Quercus

Not only since yesterday there is a tough battle going on between the biggest computer game producers like Sony (Playstation), Microsoft (X-Box) or Nintendo (Wii). You might think that this is the future of gaming... maybe you are mistaken.

Look at the toy makers from Denmark - LEGO. After the hard years with the peak in 2004 (with a loss of 226 Mio. Euro) the "cube" empire is fighting back; and successful. Funny thing as well is that it all happens where the computer games originally upraised - in JAPAN.

How did this happen and why is LEGO now back on the winning track??
The answer is once again so simple - back to the roots or in "consulting language" Core Competence.
LEGO remembered the great potential as a "educational toy". The emphasis is now back to inspiration, creativity and construction.
Not only in Japan but in South Korea, Singapore, China,... kids experience problem solving in a fun way to do. LEGO established there over more than 120 "Education center".
But it doesn't stop with the simple cubes we all know from our childhood. With for example programming and robotics kids are learning early and in a practical way how things work and they will adapt this experiences later on for sure.

Was there not a rumor spread of prohibit violent computer games!!?? Well parents out there this might be the answer.
I had a look at the website myself and hell I wanna go to "school" there. For sure I will stop by in Aoyama (Tokyo) to check it out... wait for my report.

But once again to be prepared for the future sometimes doesn't take more than just to look back from where you were coming. Very often there lays the future hidden. With LEGO it did.

by Quercus

London with its "congestion charge" is the current pacemaker when we talk about traffic problem inside a metropolis. And what is wrong with the idea to relegate traffic for certain hours out of the inner city.

Especially in bigger cities the public transportation is very advanced, cheaper and faster. Besides the obvious reduction of traffic accidents, it also helps against air pollution.
The enemies of this policy are mentioning the harm in business. But is that the truth??? And if then that means there is a business chance just waiting for someone to pick it up. Just think about it... how else can you deliver grocery stores, boutiques and department stores. It is a human thing to averse new things. To keep the status quo is still manifested in many minds. But in fact everything is changing - constantly.
Or why do you think there is a bicycle courier, Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, online shopping,... all these developments occur because of change and the tied chance.

I believe it is a courageous decision of London's politicians to force the change. And for sure this will lead to something new nobody expected.
Keep on eye on London - you won't regret it!!!

by Quercus

Moving becomes a part of our lifestyle. Living and work situation is changing and makes it necessary to over think the existing concept of living & housing. The Interior Architect Gerold Peham developed in Austria with the "Nomadhome" a solution of living in the future.

The Nomadhome is based on a modular construction which makes it highly flexible for each life circumstance. It is easy to remove and to rebuild on a different location. Changes afterwards are always possible for instance if the family grows.

Another concept follows the Japanese home equipment Company Muji. „Muji“ is a shortcut for „mujirushi ryohin“, which means something like „no brand, good products“. Indeed is Muji something like the Japanese Ikea store.
Muji+Infill木の家 developed a house that changes according to the family needs. The house is also very price competitive because of the modular construction and is designed to use as less energy as possible.

© Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.

Both concepts 'Nomadhome & Muji+Infill木の家' are following todays trend to adapt a home along to family changes (children, moving, work,...) and not the other way around. In other words flexibility is the key for the future. Houses are not built to last for 2 or more generations anymore.
It's still a dream of everyone to own a home (house) but this home needs to be adaptable also to todays life circumstances in a globalized world.

by Quercus