Small Business and the Future of Work
Our 2012 research continues to be focused on the future of work and the workplace, and what it means for small, micro and personal businesses. This is a broad area and we will be conducting research deep dives on key future of work trends. Our deep dives will include:
1. Coworking: We will continue our c0w0rking research in 2012 and, among other topics, will further examine the growing trend of corporate coworking.
2. The Independent Worker: We will be partnering again with MBO Partners on the 2nd annual State of Independence study. The 2011 study is available here.
3. Big Data: The rise of Big Data is fundamentally changing how industries are structured and work is done. Continuing a project started in 2011, we will be studying Big Data and it's impact on small business and consumers the entire year.
4. Cloud, Mobile, Social: These inter-related technology trends are fundamentally changing how small businesses operate. In 2012 we will continue examining the impacts of these trends on small business and on the future of work.
5. New Localism: Social, demographic and technology trends are driving a rediscovery of local communities and all things local. We will continue examining how the new localism trend is impacting where and how we work.
6. Small and Artisan Manufacturing: We will continue our ongoing research on small and artisan manufacturing examining how new technologies, business models and marketing methods are impacting this sector.
