The 15 Trends That Will Shape Your 2015

WELCOME TO THE YEAR OF THE GOAT & SHEEP.

Take a deep breath and listen: According to the 5000-year-old Chinese Zodiac, 2015 is the Year of The Goat and Sheep.The Goat & sheep are Yin energy, a symbol of Peace, Harmonious co-existence and Tranquility. That is the primary and fundamental mood for this year.

The Sheep is the symbol of the Arts. It relates to passive and nurturing times. It will help the healing process with regard to past events. It will be a year of banding together in faith and in belief that good will prevail. For those who trust in goodness, happiness and success will follow.

There will be greater concern with structure, getting back to basics and using greater intuition to find solutions to problems that have been plaguing the world for some time.

Much will depend on this – the balance of international economy and social harmony is in peace.

2015 is a year to use mental abilities over brute force. For those who wish to be aggressive, expect to be out-maneuvered by strategy and common sense.

So how cool does that sound? Who doesn’t need a year of peace, harmony and tranquility after the kind of year we’ve just had? But here is the real power of the year of the goat and the sheep: it’s all in our mind. If you believe 5000 year old Chinese wisdom and you see your world through the lens of peace, harmony and tranquility, that’s what you’ll find.

Try it. At least for the next 30 days. This is the kind of experiment with no downside. If you are not in a war zone, your life is not at stake but your wellbeing is. So is the wellbeing of everyone around you. We are all vital components of each other’s ecosystem. We are only as successful and happy as the company we keep. Run with peace, harmony and tranquility and you’ll run far. I’ll bet you’re feeling better already.

In this special edition of the Mike Lipkin show, I’ll share 15 trends that will shape your world in 2015 and how you can profit from them.

First of all the the American Renaissance will grow stronger while most the rest of the world struggles. The economy will grow at over 3% and unemployment will drop beneath 6%, widely regarded as full employment. Interest rates will begin rising to normal levels which will still be very low. So bet on the US this year, no matter where you are.

Two, China will become the largest economy in the world in 2015 with more millionaires than America. In 2015, the number of internet users in China will grow to 750 million, double the combined number of America and Japan. Disney will also open the largest theme park outside florida in shanghai. This signals the rise of the middle class and a coming boom for the kind of consumer services they consume. That includes Mike Lipkin modules in mandarin.

Three, the world will be energized by the resurgence of two of its largest democracies – India and Indonesia. Both have fabulous new leaders who are committed to liberalizing their economies and igniting growth. So pay attention to JOKO Widodo, president of Indonesia and Narendra Modi, prime minister of India. They’re in charge of almost 1.5 billion people who want your job, but also what you make.

Four, there will be good news coming out of the middle east. Yes, that’s what I said. Syria and ISIS will continue to spiral down. But Dubai and Israel will thrive. Iran will begin it’s journey back into the fold as a nuclear agreement is reached and sanctions are lifted. Moderate voices will start to prevail with the west’s help. Tensions will ease and trading will increase.

Five, the decline in oil prices is great news for everyone outside the oil patch. It puts more money in consumers’ pockets and removes a large source of terrorist funding. Anything requiring oil, from packaging to transport, will benefit. The world will be more mobile so get out there too.

Six, the population will get healthier and live longer. Spending on yoga products in will hit $8 billion in 2017, up from $4.7 billion in 2012. Three world cup events – Rugby, cricket and woman’s soccer will occur. The pan am games will take place in Toronto while the world athletics championships happen in Beijing. So get on trend and get into a gym. Look good, feel good, do good.

Seven, the size of the earth’s population is rising, from 7.2 billion in 2015 to 9.5 billion in 2060 but two thirds of the extra 2.2 billion people in 2060 will be between 40 and 79. Between 2015 and 2060, the number of 60-79 year olds will increase by 1.1 billion or 131%. The future is looking like silver. Older is the new normal. Join them, talk to them, serve them.

Eight, rejoice boomers, millennials will finally leave home. Today 36% of people aged 18-31live at home. In 2007, it was 32%. As the job market improves, housing remains reasonable, and young adults start having families, they will fly the coop. yes!

Nine, technology will disrupt and enrich your life in equal measure. “Anticipatory computing” or “predictive intelligence” uses personal data in your smartphone to make timely suggestions. That’s why you’ll be notified your nearest Starbucks where you’re near one. Or you’ll be advised on traffic conditions when you’re on the highway or weather conditions as you wake up. It’s fantastic and creepy at the same time. Get used to it, use it and expect to get a Mike Lipkin tweet when you need it most.

Ten, in line with the Year of the Goat, there will be a return to 9-5. Lazier millennials and exhausted boomers will return to a 40 hour workweek and not just in Europe. Post midnight and Predawn emails will be so 2014. A balanced lifestyle will become more than just a buzzword, it will be a statement of values.

Eleven, the sharing economy will expand dramatically. Uber and Airbnb are the iconic companies in this space. They epitomize the principle of connecting people to bridge service gaps and make work more efficient. As Barney says, Sharing is caring. It’s also profitable. Only the social survive.

Twelve, personal expression is coming to a youtube channel near you. This is one of the leading social trends tracked by Environics. It has doubled in strength over the past four years. This is a desire to use one’s imagination and creative talents in daily life both at work and at play. At zero marginal cost, we can unleash our inner spielbergs. With gopro and iphone, we can influence the world with our content. It’s a great time to be Mike Lipkin or anyone who believes they have something to say and they’re going to say it.

Thirteen, work will become a place of meaning and purpose. Gallup’s research shows that focusing on “opportunity to do best” and “mission and purpose” are the strongest factors for retaining employees, irrespective of age. In a recent poll by Monster.com of Canadian employees, 59% said their jobs have a major impact on their life and how they feel versus just 37% saying their job is just something they have to do to make ends meet. 40% said they would have to change employers to find the jobs that will change their life. So if you’re an employer, make sure your best people don’t feel like they need to leave to really live.

Fourteen, there is a nostalgia for a future that is the best of the past. From Millennials to Boomers, the desire for “handmade, authentic and artisanal” is driving a major consumer trend. So Coke is reintroducing Surge, a citris based soda it discontinued 12 years ago, because of a millennial led online campaign. Twinkies have staged the sweetest comeback in history. Tony Bennett has partnered with Lady Gaga to bring us the classics cheek to cheek. Whole Foods is changing the way America eats with food grown the old fashioned way. And the Mustang, Charger, Corvette and Camaro are all making a comeback.

Finally fifteen, a new values based cohort is growing that transcends demographics. They are vital, intuitive, social, and creative. They are the Perennials. The older they get, the younger they become. They are managing tech companies, funding new ventures, shaking up the establishment, making great art and thrilling the world. From Tim Cook to Mark Zuckerberg, Clint Eastwood to Lena Dunham, Alice Munro to Beyonce, they are thrilling and empowering us with their breakthroughs. My entire purpose in this video is to inspire you to become one of them.

This is Mike Lipkin and I wish you a great year of the goat and sheep. Maah…