Trends: What's everybody talking about?

Whether it’s called the war on terror or the struggle against global extremism, the efforts to safeguard the world against terrorist attacks remain a topic of major concern. The rise of China’s economic and military power, the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are high on everyone’s agenda as are the weapons of mass destruction that pose a threat to every civilized society.

On the economic front, the debates continue on whether globalization – the increasing levels of international trade, investment and cultural communication – is a positive or negative force. Corporate ethics, the rise in oil prices, the increasing costs of medical care, and the solvency of the U.S. Social Security system are on center stage along with issues such as the threat of an Avian flu pandemic, AIDS, stem cell research, and global warming.

Business groups, seeking to achieve extraordinary results, are clamoring to learn more about consumer relationship marketing, mass customization and other strategies for success. They want to know how to “turn-on” employees, be more innovative, create experiences that differentiate them from the competition, and become indispensable to their customers.

The fast pace of technological change and new ways of communicating with anyone, anywhere on the planet continue to intrigue audiences everywhere. Laptops outselling desktops, cell phones overtaking landlines, bloggers and podcasters competing with traditional newscasters, and iPods becoming the main music delivery format are but a few of the subjects of special interest.

Laughter remains a hot commodity – especially in our fractured world – and those who provoke it with comedy, satire, crazy antics, magic, or music are in great demand.