Assignment 6A: Identifying Opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends

• Economic Trend: Global Demand is Strengthening
• Source: https://commercial.jpmorganchase.com/pages/commercial-banking/executive-connect/six-key-economic-trends
• I believe that an opportunity exists because European countries that have strong economic foundations, are big consumers of US goods. Thus, for domestic producers that are having trouble selling their product, they should consider looking abroad.
• The prototypical customer would be the moderate to wealthy person in nations of good economic standing, such as the UK, China, etc.
• The opportunity is easy to exploit because there are few barriers to sell your product or company abroad. As long as it fits within regulation, then many producers in the US are able to sell their merchandise abroad.
• I believe that I saw this because I recently read a book call The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris, and he emphasizes the need to look abroad for opportunity. He is always encouraging people to utilize their resources, many of which can be found in India and China.
• Economic Trend: Baby Boomers aren't retiring
• Source: https://www.thebalance.com/top-usa-future-economic-trends-3305666
• I believe that an opportunity exists because here, we are talking about a whole generation of individuals with many similar backgrounds and characteristics. There can be an opportunity to make room for the new generation by finding different jobs for these baby boomers.
• The prototypical customer could be baby boomers that still want to make an income, however can do this from the comfort of their own home, or while traveling. They can work through an online platform. 
• I do not think the opportunity is easy to exploit because it would take years of work to get this in motion. Also, once the majority of the baby boomers transition to this new system, it would be difficult to get them to transition again.
• I believe that I saw this because of a long discussion I had in my high school history class about the baby boomers. They are a huge generation, and have affected the US in so many ways. As noted in this source, they prevent millennials from acquiring many jobs. 
• Regulatory Trend: Tax burden on harmful products
• Source: https://www2.deloitte.com/sv/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/regulatory-trends-in-the-consumer-business-industry.html
• I believe that an opportunity exists because an alternative version of these harmful products, like cigarettes, can be replaced with something positive and helpful. A product could be made with no harmful side effects to help people trying to quit negative behaviors. 
• The prototypical customer would be those that are looking to stop smoking cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, or any other form or type of drug.
• I think this opportunity could be easy to exploit, because there are many creative people out there that are probably already thinking of something to create to sell to these types of customers. 
• I believe I saw this because I think that drugs of all kinds should not be done in recreation because there are many harmful side effects. Thus, when I read the heading, I agreed that these harmful products should be taxed more. Hopefully this action makes people want to stop purchasing these toxic products.
• Regulatory Trend: Increase  in block chain technology 
• Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/01/five-crucial-challenges-for-blockchain-to-overcome-deloitte.html
• I believe an opportunity exists because this is an emerging trend in the world of technology. It has picked up in the last few years, and is exponentially growing.
• The prototypical customer could vary drastically, from banks, to teenagers learning a new tech gadget.
• I think this opportunity would be somewhat difficult to exploit, because one must truly understand what block chain technology is. Because it is so new, only a few have really understood and have been able to create products and forums for it.
• I believe I saw this because I just learned about block chain technology a few months ago at Startup Showcase. It seemed like such an intriguing concept, and the versatility of it was quite amazing.