MINITRENDS Table of Contents

MINITRENDS
How Innovators & Entrepreneurs
Discover & Profit From
Business & Technology Trends

by John H. Vanston, Ph.D. with Carrie Vanston

Published by Technology Futures, Inc.
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ForeWord Review’s Book of Year Awards Finalist!

The #1 Book on Business Trends at Amazon.com!

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Expanded Table of Contents:

Part I: The Value of MiniTrends

Chapter One: Importance of MiniTrends

Role of MiniTrends
Failure to Recognize MiniTrends
All Very Interesting, But Frankly, So What?

Part II: Uncovering MiniTrends

Chapter Two: Searching for MiniTrends

Follow the Money
Follow the Leaders
Examine Limits
Consider Human Nature
Take Note of Demographics
Analyze Frustrations
Search for Convergences
All Very Interesting, But Frankly, So What?

Chapter Three: Where to Search for MiniTrends

Utilize Published Sources
Utilize Electronic Resources
Engage Key Associations
Establish Social Networks
Examine Patents and Patent Applications
Review Ph.D. Dissertations
Pay Heed to Television
Examine the Platforms of Losing Presidential Candidates
All Very Interesting, But Frankly, So What?

Part III: Some Attractive MiniTrends

Chapter Four: MiniTrends for Individuals

Expanding Involvement in Virtual Worlds
Support for People Working at Home
Expanding Capabilities of Advanced Websites
All Very Interesting, But Frankly, So What?

Chapter Five: MiniTrends for Small and Medium-Size Companies

Increased Interest in Privacy
New Approaches in Giving and Receiving Advice
Evolution of Meaningful Maturity
All Very Interesting, But Frankly, So What?

Chapter Six: MiniTrends for Large Companies

Advances in Digital Manufacturing
Increasing Use of Electricity in Industrial Processes
New Applications of Nanotechnology
All Very Interesting, But Frankly, So What?

Part IV: Prospering from MiniTrends

Chapter Seven: Selecting a Minitrend for Exploitation

Examine the Overall Attractiveness of the Minitrend to the Business Community
Examine the Overall Attractiveness of the Minitrend to You Personally
Compare Different Minitrend Possibilities
All Very Interesting, But Frankly, So What?

Chapter Eight: Developing a Minitrend Exploitation Scheme

Characteristics of Groups Developing the Exploitation Scheme
Developing an Effective Exploitation Scheme
Employment of Alternate Scenario Techniques
Identifying the Necessary Tasks
All Very Interesting, But Frankly, So What?

Chapter Nine: Putting the Exploitation Scheme into Action

Identify Market Needs
Determine the Special Features of the Minitrend
Convince Potential Customers of the Value of the Minitrend’s Special Features
Carefully Consider How Your Product or Service Will be Marketed
Look for Opportunities to Take Advantage of Convergences
Carefully Define and Evaluate Relevant Drivers and Constraints
Examine Analogous Situations
Engage Allies and Supporters
Be Flexible
Remember There Are Other Smart People in the World
Stay Healthy
Always Apply a “Sanity Test” at Each Stage of the Exploitation Process
All Very Interesting, But Frankly, So What?