A ritual that takes place at the end of each year is that countless experts and forecasters predict their key trends for the coming year. We don’t like predictions, which tend to focus on the immediate at the expense of the more subtle but important longer-term drivers of change, yet it is always useful to keep an eye on the horizon. Here’s what we think you should be taking notice of in the New Year.

As global leaders meet for COP26, we’ve been thinking about climate change and what is needed for a sustainable future. We’ve turned to the Three Horizons model as a useful model to think about critical junctures and moving into a new future.

Trends take many forms. Some trends can be predicted, while others are fundamentally uncertain. It is not always easy to identify levels of predictability, and sometimes when one looks more widely, or looks at a trend from another angle, it no longer seems as predictable as it once did. Read more to learn how to start seeing trends where you didn’t before.

As we’re heading into our summer holidays we know this is a perfect time to sit back and catch up on some reading, and if you’re feeling like something a bit more enriching than your typical beach read here’s our list of summer reading material. In typical Corset Economy fashion they’re all interesting and thought-provoking subjects, but easy and engaging enough to relax with on your holiday. Let us know what you think!

In this world of change, skills are your currency. Skills, not qualifications, are your passport to success. Upskilling means, essentially, learning to unbundle and rebundle your skillset so that it remains fresh and relevant in a changing job market. This is why it requires a radically different mindset to the 20th century model. DIY education is likely to become ever more important, perhaps even being as prevalent as daily brushing of our teeth. Read further to learn our six steps to Upskilling.

Since a 2015 paper from Oxford estimated 47% of the US workforce was at risk of automation there has been a wealth of research about the Future of Work. Academics, economists and major institutions have explored how the way we work could change, the nature of jobs and the disruptive impacts of technology. However these have produced divergent conclusions, predictions and solutions and so it’s hard to feel prepared for what changes can come. But while we may not be able to fully know the future of our work, an area we can tangibly influence is the future of our personal skills.

We were thrilled to have Baruch Fischhoff, Howard Heinz Professor at Carnegie Mellon University join us for an interview last week. There were so many pearls of wisdom it was hard to distill down into just a few but here’s our best effort!

Human beings spend 1 out of every 8 waking hours imagining the future – either predicting, dreaming or fearing what is to come. Becoming more futures literate means harnessing these involuntary thoughts in a way that is both useful and practical, so that you can see the world from different vantage points, and use these insights to respond more adaptively.