The Pending Shift in Global Relationships

In around a week’s time there’ll be a version 2 of a Trump Presidency in the United States.

One thing I’d expect to see is a much less bridled Trump presidency. The first time around a number of long standing and experienced people were around to temper and guide some of the thinking. This time around, all things seem to suggest that a reelected Trump will be much less likely to hold back and will not have the kind of experienced hands around to guide or temper some of his ideas. Thought bubbles and impulses will be less likely to be deflected, curtailed or polished into useful well structured policy.

Talks of tariffs abound. Australia should not expect to be immune from such actions. And one thing we know about tariff laden policies – it’s the consumers at home that pay the price first up – suppliers may not see any negative impact for quite some time. Until an economy completely tanks.  Another thing that often happens is that local supplier profit-opportunists, ALSO increase their prices. After all if a consumer used to paying $50 for a bucket and spade now has to pay $75 from an overseas supplier, then a domestically produced bucket and spade for $70 is a much better choice, is it not?

No, no it is not. It’s just a less worse option. Anyway, as the saying goes, ‘watch this space!’

A quick look at the ‘Repeal Day’ concept – almost right

Jan 15, 2014

The Australian Government has announced a ‘Repeal Day’, intended to be used to axe the existence of hundreds of outdated laws. The concept is a good one, though for me, doesn’t quite get the Australian Parliament into a forward looking setting in how it could develop FUTURE legislation. So what could be done instead and…

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2014 – The International Year of Food Security

Dec 30, 2013

Continuing his run of suggesting an annual theme and idea of world focus for the year ahead, Futurist Marcus Barber has declared 2014 to be the International Year of Food Security. ‘The year ahead is going to bring into sharp focus, what has often been seen as an ‘other-world’ problem’ Barber says. ‘For a number…

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Coming up on New Year’s Day – a look ahead to emerging issues

Dec 29, 2013

Yes I know, committing to an early morning chat on ABC Radio on New Year’s Day may to some seem tinged with the ‘what were you thinking?’ bug, but hey, what better time is there than chatting about the future, than at prime New Year’s Resolution time? You’ll be able to listen to the stream…

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How your Company Vision is doing you harm

Nov 26, 2013

The Australian Strategic Planning Institute website has a new article on why Visions, rather than being useful shining lights, end up being ‘ruts’ for organisations.   Counter instinictivley and yet simply put, the never ending nature of some Visions leads to an inaction toward that Vision. Companies and individuals spin their wheels in a quagmire…

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Unlocking the promise of ‘teleworking’

Nov 19, 2013

One of the great things about technology (especially of the instantaneous ‘social’ kind) is the ability to attend a conference without leaving your office. Which is a salient point because yesterday I followed a number of the presentations looking at the idea of tele-working or remote workers, and did so by following the tweets of…

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Keeping your Future, grounded to Reality

Nov 18, 2013

About once a week I get a call from a client or a media group asking if I can tell them what the future will be like. The conversation usually goes something like this – Me: can I ask what you’re trying to discover? Journalist: Oh you know, something really catchy, about how the world…

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The 2013 Melbourne Cup – a Futurist Decides

Nov 13, 2013

Now before any of you rush out and stick your hard earned on anything I say here, please note that a) I’m answering this because I get asked every year and b) My track record is appalling. Still I’ve put a bit of thought into a near term prediction to see who you might like…

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Celebration of Hope fundraiser for Brain Cancer

Oct 17, 2013

Tonight I have the privilege of being the MC for Blackwood 8’s Celebration of Hope Gala Ball at the Manningham Function Centre in Doncaster. Blackwood 8 raise funds to find a cure of Brain Cancer and are strong supporters of Dr. Charlie Teoh’s Cure for Life foundation. With a crowd of around 300 it’s going…

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Marcus Barber’s Presentation from the V21 Digital Conference in Melbourne is available

Oct 2, 2013

‘ve just spent a delightful day learning about digital issues at the v21 Digital Conference at the State Library and my presentation at that conference is now available at the link below. My all too brief summary of presentations is also provided   Sessions have covered Branding, Blogging, case studies, education & health; future of…

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The ever increasing computing power replacing jobs by the thousands

Sep 23, 2013

When it comes to ‘anti-technology’ thinking, a term often thrown disparagingly at people is ‘Luddite’. Luddites were indeed anti-tech BUT contrary to modern day thinking, they had a particular dislike for technology that would put people out of work. If technology helped keep people employed or created more jobs they were all for it. Which…

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