Many people are speculating which technology will bring the biggest changes in 2010, especially with all the hubbub after CES. Sometimes, however, technology is not the only thing that spurs innovation and changes in how we do things. Consider these next few trends:

1) Going Mobile- Yes, yes, I know that the iPhone has been out for many years and numerous business owners have made their iPhones a staple for conducting business. However, there are two things to note here. The first is that more and more functionalities will be taken over by the phone, such that in years to come, laptops will be a thing of the past (much how we view desktops now).  The other is the release of  Palm’s OS system and more importantly, Google’s Android. The iPhone’s ubiquity is well to be challenged…and with that might come a paradigm shift in the way business is conducted…yet again.

2) Homepreneurs- This is the new term used to describe many laid off folk who decided to start businesses from home. These new businesses are shaking things up for traditional workplace ideals. In fact, homepreneurs are so common, that the Small Business Administration (SBA) predicts that 50% of businesses are home based. This number will only grow in 2010 as the unemployment rate stays steady (did you see last week’s NFP?).

3) Green- It’s here to stay. Consider it the new black…as in businesses are going to be banking on consumer awareness of the green movement and trying to position themselves and their products as green. Surprisingly, emerging markets are more keen on green. Some 84% of consumers in China, India, Malaysia, and Singapore say they would accept a higher price for green products, compared with only 50% in the U.S., Japan, France, and Germany, according to the Harvard Business Review. Conclusion: sustainable design is the name of the game for 2010.

Image thanks to http://www.flickr.com/photos/45639066@N02/4230961450/