Trends for '11

Business News Daily interviewed consultants, thought leaders and small business owners to get a grip on the 50 trends and ideas for 2011. Here are some of the top ideas experts predict to be part of our everyday lives before the year is over. How many of these changes do you think we will see by 2012?

"We are entering a dynamic and creative era for retail, thanks to mobile. I fully expect mobile online shopping to become a mainstream consumer behavior in the U.S. over the next year or so."
— Mark Beccue, senior analyst of consumer mobility at ABI Research

"Media tablets will soar, with iPad holding a big lead in spite of lots of company. This year, we predict that the the media tablet phenomenon will continue to explode: more than 42 million devices will ship worldwide, strongly surpassing shipments of mini-notebooks (netbooks) — the market phenomenon of just two years ago."
— 2011 Predictions Team and IDC, a research company serving the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets

"If Gen Y gets its head on straight, we’ll be the most successful entrepreneurial generation in history. Future generations will then finally be taught entrepreneurship in school as mandatory curriculum versus an elective hobby. However, unless we stop listening to the older generations who do not and will never get it, we will become a truly lost generation."

– Scott Gerber, entrepreneur and founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council

"In today’s cost-conscious business environment, demand for hybrid events – a physical event with a virtual extension before, during or after the physical event takes place--will continue to grow."

– Sharat Sharan, the President and CEO of ON24

"I would say Internet TV will only get hotter in 2011 as more Web-connected TVs come to market and companies make specific applications for use on the big screen."
— Morgan Seal, Clicker.com

"In the past few years, trends to catering to your pets have grown significantly. Companies have new policies where you can bring your pet to work, there are new pet day care centers that offices offer, and I think this trend will grow even further into ways to incorporate your pet into your business, whether it be marketing strategies, product integration, etc."
— Linsey Tilbor, 5wpr.com

"Many companies are "gamifying" their products and services. They are studying human behaviors, and then employing game-like reward structures. Competition, camaraderie and immersion, all of these will increasingly be applied to a business setting."
— Erica Orange, weineredrichbrown.com

"One of the biggest trends will be relating to products and services for older people. Sixty-five million Americans turning 65 and the age wave is beginning to create demand for products and services."
— Susan Towers, omhu.com

"I think successful businesses in 2011 will continue to use social media as a means of communicating with existing and potential customers. As more commerce continues to move online and mobile, virtual referrals, including customer reviews and recommendations from friends via Facebook and Twitter, will become increasingly important."
— Tom Warthen, prositewebdesign.com

"Cause-based businesses will continue to resonate with people in 2011. People pay attention to and spread the word about products that help others. It’s good for your conscience and your bottom line."
— Mason Gentry, FaucetFace.com