Help/FAQ
- What is What's Next?
- What's the difference between free registration, a company subscription and a service package?
- How do I use the report?
- Who's using What's Next?
- Where do you source your material?
- How international is your content?
- What does 'Ref' refer to at the bottom of each story?
- What does 'trend tags' refer to?
- What does 'source integrity' refer to?
- What does 'search words' refer to?
- How do I log in? (Company subscribers and service package members only)
- I've forgotten my password - what should I do?
- My username/password won't work
- I want to print the report - what are my options?
- I want to view some older issues - how do I do this?
- How do I conduct a search?
- Can I use the images on the site?
- Can I have a trial subscription?
- What happens if I subscribe and change my mind?
What is What's Next?
What's Next is a report about current and future trends. It's been published four times a year since 2003.
What's the difference between free registration, a company subscription and a service package?
There are three levels of participation. A free subscription simply gives you access to the current issue. A company subscription is a paid subscription (essentially a multi-user licence) that allows online access to the search function, the full issue archive and the sector trends PDF library.
A service package is a bespoke consulting service that is customised to a company’s requirements. It includes access to various limited circulation reports and white papers and allows for information to be presented in-person, either as regular trend briefings or as interactive workshops where information is translated into specific recommendations.
Please note that people with a genuine .edu or .org email address can apply for free access to the issue archive.
How do I use the report?
That's up to you. Some people just read it like a newspaper to keep up-to-date and to widen their thinking. Others use it as part of the process for innovation, strategy planning or strategic foresight. Whatever you do with it, the important point is not just to read about 'your' industry, sector or discipline. New ideas tend to originate where disciplines, industries and technologies converge or cross-pollinate, so it's important to know what's going on in other spheres. The aim, in other words, is to inform you about what's going on in other places, which may be a catalyst for new ways of seeing and thinking.
Who's using What's Next?
What's Next is read by forward thinkers in leading organisations such as McKinsey, Microsoft, NASA, Ernst & Young, KPMG, BBC, IBM, Wal-Mart, Westfield, Tesco, Best Buy, Coles Myer, Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Disney, McDonald’s, Nestlé, Kraft, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, SC Johnson, AMP, Commonwealth Bank, St George Bank, National Australia Bank, Westpac, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Gulf Air, Emirates and Intel.
Where do you source your material?
As the author William Gibson said, "the future is already here; it's just unevenly distributed". This pretty much sums up how this works. I subscribe to a number of key publications and I’m constantly talking to people about new ideas, innovations and trends. The trick is simply knowing where to look and who to talk to — and, of course, having the time to do it.
How international is your content?
Material is primarily sourced from the UK, US, Europe and Australia, because most people tell me that these are the countries they're most interested in. Having said this, countries like Japan, South Korea, China Brazil, Russia and India are tracked too.
What does 'Ref' refer to at the bottom of each story?
Most stories are sourced from or influenced by other stories, in which case I make a reference to the original publication, article and writer. Stories are always re-written for legal reasons, to reduce overall length and to bring out key points and connections. In some cases there will be various sources and in other cases the story comes from my own research and observations.
What does 'trend tags' refer to?
We all learn new information best when we can connect it to information that we already know. Sometimes you'll find a tag at the bottom of a story, which refers to other key ideas or trends that link to the story. Try using these tags as search words to find connections or patterns. I also use these tags to plot linkages and to track the impact of trends over time.
What does 'source integrity' refer to?
Sources are ranked 1-5 depending on integrity and trustworthiness. Hence something that appears in the New York Times will be given the highest five star (*****) rating whilst something that appears in an unknown blog may only rate 1 star (*). We could argue about this for hours so if you don’t agree with the ratings ignore them or tell me why I'm wrong.
What does 'search words' refer to?
‘Search words’ is sometimes used as an alternative to trend tags.
How do I log in? (Company subscribers and service package members only)
Once you've been given your username and password, just go to the homepage. The login box is located on the top left-hand side. The search function and issue archive will not function unless you are logged in. You can be a free user simply by visiting the site and clicking on the current issue button. However, if you register I will send you an email every time a new issue goes up so it is preferable to register even as a free user.
I've forgotten my password - what should I do?
Try to find a previous email from me. This will contain your username and login details. If possible try to find the most recent email in case your details have been changed. If this fails, simply use the lost password function or contact me using one of the contact forms. In most cases I'll respond within 24 hours, but occasionally it might take me a little longer. Please note that this function is only applicable to company and service package subscribers.
My username/password won't work
These are case sensitive so make sure you are using lower case. If this doesn't work, see above.
I want to print the report - what are my options?
You can simply click on ‘print whole report’ or you can print individual sectors. Alternatively you can print your own customised report if you are a company or service package subscriber.
I want to view some older issues - how do I do this?
If you are a company or service package subscriber, recent issues can be found in the issue archive. You can find this on the menu bar once you've logged in. Archive issues can be accessed by both company and service package subscribers although some material can only be accessed by service package subscribers. If you are a free user I'm sorry but you cannot access these functions.
How do I conduct a search?
Once you've logged in you'll see a search button at the top of the menu bar on the left-hand side. You can search by key word, phrase or theme. Again this function is only available to company or service package subscribers.
Can I use the images on the site?
Yes, but only for internal presentation purposes. You cannot use the images for any commercial purposes or for public display (e.g. seminars or conferences) without written permission.
Can I have a trial subscription?
No, but you can become a free subscriber or download the current issue from the homepage. Please note that if you have a genuine .edu or .org email address you can apply for free access to the issue archive.
What happens if I subscribe and change my mind?
I'll refund your subscription in full if you contact me within 14 days of taking out a paying subscription. After that you'll have to read it and weep.