SIX TRENDS OF NOTE IN 2014

Central to the mission at O'Hara Business Strategies, are "strategies."  Analyzing and identifying trends facing leaders, businesses and other organizations is indeed part of a strategic approach. Trends are typically organized as:

• Political,
• Economic,
• Social & Demographic, 
• Spiritual, and 
• Technological.

One of my 2014 favorited Twitter tweets, addressed a major technological and economic trend, cloud-based computing (and mobile computing), "In 2014, cloud-based computing grew as a key technology trend. For example, Salesforce.com. a pioneer in cloud computing, used the "No Software" symbol boldly!"  Cloud-based computing offered the benefit of avoiding the computer crashes possible with a home desktop computer, as well as allowing access to songs, files and sales presentations, on the go.

Five more key 2014 trends included:
1) The GOP won big in November's mid-term elections, taking control of the U.S. Senate. However, President Obama was unfazed, seeming to double down with executive actions on immigration and toward normalizing relations with Cuba. Similarly, "gay" marriage bans, largely enacted by popular vote, across the USA have fallen like dominoes. Objectively, a curious inconsistency appeared in American politics in 2014. The rule of law, the will of the American people and a Judeo-Christian worldview appeared to be taking a back seat to an increasingly powerful executive branch in Washington, D.C. and un-elected judges, with an aggressively secular worldview.  
2) Radical, violent Islam advanced around the world with Isis in Syria/Iraq, the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan, and renewed terrorist attacks, beheadings and kidnappings in Great Britain, the USA, Israel and Nigeria.
3) Widespread protests vs. perceived police abuse occurred despite objective, grand jury evidence to the contrary. These events illustrated an increasing hostility to the rule of law or the police, in general. Although, police abuse can occur! These protests along with "gay marriage" ban reversals and the rise of NDOs (Non-Discrimination Ordinances) across the country are evidence of changing values in the USA. Some may even consider such events to show the rise of privileged groups in America! 
4) On a global basis, the IMF apparently calculated that China would have the world's largest economy by year's end, ousting the USA from the #1 position it has held since Ulysses S. Grant was President in the 1870s. Also, Russia, despite being bruised by declining oil prices by year's end, sought to increase its military influence earlier in 2014. Also, the USA seemed to be appeasing enemies like Iran (in nuclear talks) and North Korea (by not providing strong gov't support to Sony after being cyber-attacked due to the satirical movie, "The Interview") while increasing hostility toward long-time ally, Israel for settlement activity. These events added to the sense that America's influence was waning globally!
5) Oil prices dropped to less than $60/barrel late in 2014, stressing nations like Russia and Venezuela and American oil producers in Texas and North Dakota. However, the price breaks were welcome news to American consumers. as well as energy importers like China and India. What will be the impact in 2015? Could be interesting!