1. U.S. GDP growth will slow
This is not a prediction of negative growth, but an expectation that GDP growth is not going to be as strong as the U.S. Federal Reserve has forecasted. The Fed lowered its expectations in November to between 3.0% and 3.6%, but many economists think even that is optimistic. They are going even lower, predicting to 2% - 2.5% growth
2. Employee happiness
This one is hard to measure, but as the economy comes out of the recession it is expected that companies will start to pay more attention to the happiness of their employees. As things improve, workers -- especially the best ones -- will begin to look for other opportunities or start their own business. In order to keep them, businesses will have to find ways to keep them happy.
3. Business comes to social media
In 2011, it will be commonplace for business to use social media and will get better at using it to improve their bottom line. Many expect social media to follow the same path of e-commerce's transformation into e-business. There is a prediction, in the IT world, that it will soon be called social business
4. Canadian dollar will weaken
The general consensus is that the parity party is over. Softer commodity prices and the uncertainty of a possible election are expected to bring the dollar back down into the mid-$0.90s. Some are saying that policy changes in emerging economies will further batter the Canadian economy taking the dollar even lower.
5. Mobile moves to top spot
As mobile providers are able to give workers the data speed and applications they need, business is going to increasingly recognize it as a way to empower its workforce and allow for quick decision-making. Mobile devices may challenge the PC market.
6. Cloud becomes established
Businesses are increasingly going to get the applications and programs they need in the cloud. The public cloud services will grow at an exponential rate compared with the rest of the computing world. Business-focused private cloud services will also have a great year as they will improve employee mobility and flexibility.
7. No bounce in U.S. housing market
Most agree there is no spring in the near future for the U.S. housing market. The question is how much more pain is there? By the end of 2010, 3 million households were in default and about to receive foreclosure notices. Predictions for 2011, see the same number of foreclosures, if not more as loan modifications end and continued high unemployment takes its toll..
8. E-commerce will become more fun
Mainstream online shopping is now a female domain. The sites that are succeeding are making it more like real shopping, allowing you to browse, to compare and to just look around. Sites that offer flash sales and local deals will continue to grow as will those that personalize the process by tailoring the products available to your taste.
9. Dull investing becomes trendy
Whether it’s diversifying by buying low cost index funds or using a dividend investment, many investors are still feeling gun shy. The recession is too recent a memory for many to want to jump into risky investments or the latest trend.
10. Year of tablet
While the iPad has the market mostly to itself now, that will change over 2011 as other big name manufacturers move into the tablet game. Microsoft's double-screened Courier, Samsung's Galaxy and new products from RIM and HP will mean this year is going to be dominated by tablets. Estimates are predicting 25 million will be sold in 2011. Also expect more apps to increase business and leisure use of the tablet..
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