As a futurist, I am delighted to share my insights on various topics, including change, transformation, technology, and advancements in Generative AI. In this article, I will discuss several key concepts I explored during a recent podcast interview with PMMI, shedding light on the power of transformation and the role of AI in shaping our future. In addition, it’s imperative that I explore the importance of embracing an Anticipatory mindset in our fast-paced world of constant change. 
Understanding Change and Transformation It is essential to differentiate between change and transformation. Change is often triggered externally, compelling organizations, individuals, or teams to react. On the other hand, transformation arises from within, allowing us to proactively shape our future. Embracing transformation grants us control and empowers us to actively mold our destinies. Let’s consider the example of mobile technology. The introduction of the Blackberry brought change by enabling mobile email access.…
Posted On Monday, 03 July 2023 00:00 Written by
Pending home sales shrunk 2.7% in May from the previous month, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Three U.S. regions posted monthly losses, while sales in the Northeast surged. All four regions saw year-over-year declines in transactions. “Despite sluggish pending contract signings, the housing market is resilient with approximately three offers for each listing,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, “The lack of housing inventory continues to prevent housing demand from being fully realized.” The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)* – a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings – dropped 2.7% to 76.5 in May. Year over year, pending transactions fell by 22.2%. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001. “It is encouraging that homebuilders have ramped up production, but the supply from new construction takes time and remains insufficient,” added Yun. “There should be more focus on boosting…
Posted On Friday, 30 June 2023 07:01 Written by
Have you ever had your confidence go MIA?   Maybe it was the jitters before a big social event, like a class reunion, or a critical meeting. Perhaps you were meeting someone for the first time or stepping out of your comfort zone in some way…
And even though you are a grown adult who has been in hundreds of situations where you had to be your best self, sometimes your illusive self-assuredness goes AWOL! What’s the deal? I recently addressed an exceptional group of about 200 teens and their private comments had a common denominator:  they thought they weren’t good enough, they thought they might be rejected, they feared they would not be accepted, they worried that they looked weird, or would seem awkward. One said, “I want to have charisma.” Hmmm. Charisma?   Sound familiar? Merriam-Webster defines the meaning of a charismatic person being:  “A person who possesses…
Posted On Thursday, 29 June 2023 00:00 Written by
I don’t know if it will get called a recession or not, we no longer have a technical definition that is valid since the last two consecutive quarters of negative growth happened and people felt it didn’t suit their political agenda, so they just ignored it and said it wasn’t so; but call it what you want, it is what it is. What I can tell you is that the signs are not looking good. The job market is slowing down, and people are not finding new jobs as quickly as they once did. Wage pressure is decreasing, and many people are fighting going back to the office so they will risk termination over heading back to a building. Other signs point to some real issues. Vehicle repossessions are rising rapidly, and some banks and credit unions are paying high premiums to repossession agents to move to the front of…
Posted On Monday, 26 June 2023 00:00 Written by
Mortgage rate lock-in will continue to be a major challenge for the housing market in the remainder of 2023, according to the Realtor.com® 2023 Forecast Update. While prices have eased slightly, higher mortgage rates are hurting affordability, and many of those who already own a home are not incentivized to list. As a result, the total number of homes for sale (projected to be down 15.8% to 4.2 million) is likely to be at its lowest point since 2012. On the rental side, prices are expected to drop slightly on the year (-0.9%), as strong multi-family construction is improving inventory.
“High inflation and the Fed’s actions to curb it have had a significant impact on the housing market this year. And while inflation has begun to ease, the sustained spike in mortgage rates was enough to stifle the housing market after several years of low rates and strong…
Posted On Saturday, 24 June 2023 10:14 Written by
Though home prices have remained steep after rapid growth during the height of the pandemic, paying $1 million or more for a house may seem excessive to most Americans. That said, just because most people aren’t spending seven figures on a house doesn’t mean million-dollar homes aren’t prevalent in some parts of the U.S.
To see where million-dollar houses are most common, LendingTree analyzed housing data to find the share of million-dollar homes in each of the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas. Here's what we found.  Million-dollar homes are relatively uncommon in most of the country. An average of 6.68% of owner-occupied homes in the nation’s 50 largest metros in 2021 were valued at $1 million or more. However, the share of million-dollar homes is growing. According to our research last year, an average of just 4.71% of owner-occupied homes in the nation’s 50 largest metros in 2020 were…
Posted On Friday, 23 June 2023 10:36 Written by
Many New Home Shoppers are Still Motivated to Buy Regardless of Housing Affordability Challenges Today, the experts at Zonda, the housing industry's foremost advisors, released the New Home Market Update report for May 2023. We are in the "life happens" housing market, one where sales are driven primarily by changes in life stage and lifestyle. Marriage, divorce, death, retirement, downsizing, having children, and relocating encourage a move despite the mortgage lock-in effect, housing affordability challenges, and economic uncertainty. In other times, investors, flippers, fear of missing out, and moving out of 'want' versus 'need' were more prevalent.
The overall demand pool is down compared to the past few years, but the lack of inventory is keeping prices firm and competition high for desirable homes. Many builders continue to benefit from the ability to compete with the resale market by offering quick move-in homes, the ability to work with…
Posted On Friday, 23 June 2023 10:26 Written by
The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role in producing components for automobiles, electronics, medical devices, machinery, and other systems. These components bring ideas to life, transforming them into tangible products. Consider the device you are using to read this article – it likely contains both internal and external manufactured components. The manufacturing industry is continuously evolving at an exponential pace. In the past, I have extensively researched and written about a remarkable technological advancement that is causing significant disruptions across multiple industries. Today, I want to remind all the forward-thinking leaders that this application is accelerating even faster now and will continue to do so in the future: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Assuming that AI won’t affect your business or organization simply because it hasn’t directly impacted you yet is a critical mistake. AI, autonomous machinery, and AI-enabled software and hardware are here to stay. They are certainties for the…
Posted On Tuesday, 20 June 2023 00:00 Written by
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