However, with so much information available, it's challenging to separate passing trends from significant shifts. How can businesses identify the trends that truly matter and use them to stay competitive? In other words, what sets these thriving businesses apart from the rest? It's the decision to incorporate trend radars into the trend search process to minimise unpleasant surprises. 

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By doing so, innovative decision-makers not only efficiently spot trends but also gain a roadmap for navigating change, helping them to make informed and future-proof choices. 

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In this article, we explain how trend radars give businesses the right push to make proactive, data-driven decisions.

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What is a trend?

Before using a trend radar, it's best to know what can be classified as a trend. Think of trends as the general flow of things—whether it's a surge in demand for electric cars or a shift towards remote work setups. They come in different shapes and sizes, from big-picture mega trends to smaller-scale micro trends.

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Now, picture trend signals like little whispers of change. At first, they might be faint and hard to make out. But as you look deeper into what's driving them and how they're evolving, those whispers grow into clear trends you can spot from a mile away.

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Note: Understanding the difference between trends and fads is key here. While trends stick around and shape the market, fads are more like fleeting tastes—here today, gone tomorrow. Businesses should be able to tell the two apart to make smart strategic moves.

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But how do you structure all these trends you have successfully spotted in your environment? One word, or better yet said acronym, STEEP. It's like sorting trends into neat categories based on societal shifts (Sociological), technological advancements (Technological), economic changes (Economic), environmental factors (Environmental), and political influences (Political).

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So, while trends give us a snapshot of what's happening in the market, the STEEP sectors help us understand why. It's like having a map to navigate the ever-changing business landscape.

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How to choose the right trend 

Choosing the right trends to track can be a daunting task, especially when distinguishing between trends and passing fads. Our biases can easily cloud our judgment during this process. However, using the right tools can help mitigate these biases.

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Our platform uses AI-powered metrics to objectively quantify the evolution, strength, and future outlook of each trend. By doing so, it not only supercharges your strategic decision-making but also ensures that human bias does not interfere.

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Tip: Don't be intimidated by numbers. They're here to help you detect what's truly trending and what's not. Trendtracker provides data-driven scoring to help you understand the impact of trends.

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Since trend-spotting is a collaborative effort, aligning diverse team visions can be challenging. But, with the ROESI model, this process actually becomes more manageable. Developed by Trensition, this model calculates strategic action suggestions for each trend, facilitating alignment and streamlining decision-making.

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What is a trend radar?

We've reached a stage where every trend within a particular industry or market can be observed and analysed using a trend radar, an essential strategic instrument.

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Think of it as a radar system scanning the horizon for emerging patterns and developments.

By aggregating and visualizing trend data, a trend radar provides organisations with valuable insights into the forces shaping their operating environment.

Top Tip: It has never been more visually pleasing to navigate the complex world of growing trends. With Trendtracker, you can seamlessly switch between individual trends, explore groups of trends, or review the entire landscape in just one view.

Trend radars can be built using presentation software or purpose-built foresight tools, such as Trendtracker, so they can be customised to fit specific foresight needs. 

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Effective trend management is essential for organising and structuring trend data in a way that allows organisations to gain actionable intelligence. And trend radars are a useful tool for this purpose. 

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Trend management is important, and here is why

No, simply collecting trends is not enough to keep your business ahead of the curve.  It requires more than just accumulating data. Investing in the right systems, tools and techniques to collect relevant data, and organise it efficiently is key to effective trend management. 

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The goal of trend management is to derive actionable intelligence. This, of course, calls for structured, methodical, and continuous trend management to support environmental scanning activities effectively.

By proactively monitoring trends, can identify opportunities and threats early on which helps you make strategic decisions with confidence.

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Create a trend radar in Trendtracker

Creating a trend radar in Trendtracker involves careful planning and consideration. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

• Identify relevant trends: Begin by determining which trends are most impactful for your industry or market. Consider factors such as consumer preferences, technological advancements, and regulatory changes.
• Gather data: Collect data on each identified trend. This may include relevant statistics, research reports, and insights from industry experts.

Did you know that we offer access to a vast collection of online publications through our content database? Our advanced AI algorithms scan over 12,000 sources globally and analyse more than 250 million documents, with these numbers growing daily.

• Analyse trends: Evaluate the significance of each trend and its potential impact on your organisation. Assess how these trends align with your business objectives and strategies.
• Visualise trends: Use our graphs and other visualizations to present trend data in a clear and concise manner. Visual representations can help stakeholders understand complex trends more effectively.
• Update regularly: Trend radar should be dynamic and responsive to changing market conditions. That's why it's important to continuously monitor trends and update your trend radar to ensure it remains relevant and accurate.

Rest assured, the trend metrics in our radars are updated automatically based on your selection criteria, keeping you informed with the latest trend data without manual intervention.

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By following these steps, you can create a robust trend radar in Trendtracker that provides valuable insights for strategic decision-making

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In conclusion, mastering trend management involves more than just identifying popular shifts. It is about understanding why certain shifts happen and how they impact your industry. By embracing trend radars and data-driven decisions, you can confidently navigate change. 

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The lesson here is clear: successful trend management is an ongoing process that demands dedication and the right tools (and a strategic mindset). With proactive monitoring and tools like Trendtracker, you can anticipate change, seize opportunities, and stay ahead. 

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Remember, effective trend management isn't just reacting to what's happening... it's shaping the future with informed decisions.

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So, embrace the journey of trend management, and let it guide you towards success in an ever-evolving business environment.