Trends and Anti-Trends for 2010

by Vince Kellen

There is nothing like the prospect of getting hanged in the morning to focus one's attention.

In hindsight, about the first half of 2009 is described neatly with this rephrased Samuel Johnson quote. All firms froze, cut people and costs, and waited to see how the dust would settle. As the year progressed, a clear trend emerged. Firms are realizing this is a transition period -- an inflection point -- for which aggressive action should now be considered. I have run into more C-level executives concerned now with competitiveness, innovation, and efficiency. Top firms are raising the battle flags and are poised to pounce on market opportunities. Laggards are either quixotically attempting to take on the dominant force in their market, or they are desperately seeking refuge in the arms of an acquisition partner. With this backdrop, I prognosticate the following for 2010.