I am reproducing an extract from a post from PSFK on the implications of connected living for enterprises across different industries. Truly thought provoking and a remarkable read. Great way to get inspired on a Monday!

First of all, let me make a “visual” point about how we have transformed into a “always connected” society.

Using the insights outlined in the Future of Connected Life report, PSFK delved into how industries from fashion to travel can help their customers and partners adapt to a more connected world.

Automotive: Today’s vehicles are equipped with technologies and tools to keep drivers safer on the road and get them to their destinations in a more timely and enjoyable manner. The ability to sync driver profiles to devices like a phone or key fob and track driver behavior can provide behavioral nudges to improve habits over time like de-stressing or driving more fuel-efficiently. It also creates the opportunity to incorporate contextual information like traffic, weather, and location to maximize in-car efficiency, prevent distracted driving, and help users become safer drivers.

Finance: While most people understand the importance of having their financial affairs in order, preparing for the future can still feel like an insurmountable and complicated task. Bite-sized educational courses on popular topics for consumers to access at home or on the go with provide a deeper understanding of the the institution’s product portfolio while helping consumers be more confident in making more informed decisions. Similarly, breaking down big picture planning into smaller daily goals and providing easy access to professionals during difficult moments can deepen their relationship with an institution.

Education: Democratized access to knowledge has given curious individuals the ability to continue their education outside formal institutions. Providing materials is the first step, but ensuring individuals stay motivated and engaged is another challenge. Parceling curricula into smaller modules not only enables students to learn at their own pace, but also tracks their progress, allowing the creation of individualized education plans and friendly competition amongst their peers.

Health & Wellness: Given a largely sedentary work culture, many people must go out of their way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Though there are a myriad of services that track activity, few take the next step to providing its users with an understanding of what the data means for their health. Personalized tips guide individuals through their data and point them toward actionable steps to improve their health day by day. Inciting friendly competition to motivate people to stay on track and reach personal or group goals.

Retail: With the maturation of online retail, brands can focus on how to integrate their online and offline experiences. These initiatives are combining the convenience of online shopping with the instant gratification of physical retail. Processing contextually relevant information garnered from customers’ ecosystems of connected devices will provide increased utility and anticipates product needs. Connecting inventory information from offline properties online, and providing delivery services, will make it possible to merge the convenience of shopping at home with the ability to instantly acquire items.

Travel: Technology is making the world feel smaller.  As businesses become more global and travel becomes more accessible, tomorrow’s citizens will become citizens of the world. Brands should consider building local connections at destinations to help users gather insider information and feed into the economy of micro-entrepreneurs. Spontaneous meetups with like-minded individuals will engender travelers to forge new relationships and get the most out of their travel experience.

Srinivas Krihnaswamy