This week we launched the CEO Global Network Speaker Series in the US. Seattle hosted futurist Mary O’Hara-Devereaux to provide Puget Sound area CEOs and Executives a taste of what’s coming and wow did she deliver! I wanted to share some of the key takeaways with you:
For the Seattle Metro area:
- Currently, broad-based employment growth is faster than the overall US – approx. 3%
- Exports are critical to sustaining this growth
- Income gaps are growing
- The housing recovery is slow
- There is a persistent missing “middle” within the economy
- The future forecast is mirroring the overall US forecast
Long-term drivers for the future:
- Mary described what she called, “the great collision,” which is the increasing longevity of people, and technological disruption meeting the rise of emerging markets.
- She says the only way to increase GDP is through technology, throwing people at it won’t work anymore.
- Demographics are “king” so understanding them, particularly those of your current customers and target markets is critical.
- Due to increasing length of life people can expect to experience a second middle age between ages 60-80.
- The question for this second middle age is not how long will I live, but rather, who will I become?
- The real issue for aging is not medical, (people will be healthier), it’s financial – can people support themselves until age 105?
- The “Rise of Generation Z” is important. They are the post 9/11 generation, 1 in 4 grew up in poverty, most are in families affected by recession. They are rebels with a cause and most similar to the greatest generation. Leaders must learn about them and how to relate to them as employees.
We are excited to have launched our Speaker Series with Mary O’Hara-Devereaux. She was a great example of the type of speakers we will bring to provide our members with cutting edge information to grow their businesses faster than their peers and with more success.
CEO Global Network is accepting applications for membership and group leaders. To find out more click here