2015 is quickly coming to a close. And at the end of a year, it is a common practice to take time and remember the year we’re leaving behind, and predict what is to come in the year ahead. While 2015 saw significant expansion in the use of smart “phones”, 3D printing gained some ground and cloud computing became a focus for businesses – what’s ahead in 2016?

Gartner set out to answer that very question in a recent study, “Top Strategic Predictions of 2016 and Beyond: The Future is a Digital Thing.” The full study provides 10 predictions and comprehensive analyses of what the changes mean for organizations and individuals. Technology continues to advance at an ever-increasing rate, and Gartner hopes to help us prepare for the changes that are coming. The study states:

[Gartner’s predictions] help us to move beyond thinking about mere notions of technology adoption, drawing us more deeply into issues surrounding what it means to be human in the digital world. Whether one is a customer, a business or an investor, these predictions will be useful for capturing the interest of strategic thinkers and fueling the excitement of tactical decision makers.

What Can We Expect in 2016?

We took a closer look at seven of the 10 predictions that Gartner believes will affect businesses in 2016. For real-world applications and tips on how to prepare for the digital technology advancements, take a few minutes to browse this presentation:

So, what do you think? Are you ready for a future “world driven by algorithms and smart machines, where people and machines will need to define and develop harmonious relationships”?

If you’d like to continue the conversation with me, I’d like to hear your thoughts, concerns or ideas about these predictions. Please comment below.

When to Adapt to Technology Advancements, Not If

In technology, the key to success is being proactive when possible and understanding when (not if) is the right time for your business to adapt and evolve to the changes.