The Future Report

Although we are futurists, we do think it’s wise to look back at the past, for context and helpful insights about what might lie ahead. As 2024 draws to a close, we are going to reflect on the year that has been. In this final episode of season 13 and of the year, our host, Ashley Fell, sits down with McCrindle’s Managing Director, Sophie Renton, to discuss some of the memorable things we’ve lived through in 2024.

As we approach the middle of this decade, the world continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, shaped by demographic, economic, and social shifts. An understanding of the transformative trends set to shape 2025 is essential. Why? Because the future of an organisation rests in its relevance and innovation. That is why, every year at McCrindle, we release our predictions for the trends set to shape the year ahead. These are based on our thought leadership, which is grounded in research. After all, we have the privilege of conducting around 100 insights projects and almost 200 speaking engagements each year, so our team are regularly observing, researching and commenting on the future, and the trends set to shape it. In today's episode, our host, Ashley Fell, sits down with social researcher and futurist, Mark McCrindle, to explore the five trends we believe will have a big impact in 2025.

How often do you get distracted by your digital device? Do you feel like you spend too much time on social media? Do you wish it had never been invented? We are in a unique era where society is now questioning technology and taking steps to reduce its impact on their life. In today's episode, our host, Ashley Fell, sits down with McCrindle’s Managing Director, Sophie Renton, to investigate this topic from our trends of 2025 research.

In recent years, we have witnessed the greatest transformation to work in a century. The rapid rise of AI and machine learning, as well as the shift towards hybrid work, and redefined employee expectations, have all reshaped the world of work, and in turn the role of Human Resources (HR) leaders. Organisations are increasingly looking to these HR leaders to inform strategy, recognising that the alignment of people to processes and technology is crucial to success. That is why we were commissioned by Workday to conduct research into The Forever Forward HR Leader. In today's episode, our host, Ashley Fell, sits down with McCrindle's Director of Strategy, Grant Dusting, to discuss some of the insights from this study.

Mark McCrindle, principal and futurist at McCrindle known for social research and demographics. He discusses using evidence-based data as the springboard for forecasts. He urges multifactorial thinking over single trends. He highlights generational lenses, practical scenario planning, and focusing on long-term tides rather than short-lived fads.

Consumers today are different to that of the past. They have different expectations, different values, and subsequently, different expectations of the brands they engage with. Thus, if companies want to connect with current and future consumers, they need to do things a little differently. In today's episode, our podcast producer, Holly Schaaf, sits down with podcast host and social researcher, Ashley Fell, to discuss the future consumer.

Younger Australians, particularly Gen Z and Gen Y, are optimistic about their future financial prospects. Yet some of our latest research reveals that financial anxiety remains prevalent, especially among Gen Z, who report worrying about their finances more than any other generation. Although this is true, many younger Australians are still taking proactive steps toward financial freedom, investing and building wealth while juggling personal aspirations like work/life balance and homeownership. In today's episode, our host, Ashley Fell, sits down with McCrindle's Director of Solutions, Geoff Brailey, to discuss the findings from McCrindle and MLC’s new 'Financial Freedom' report, which explores the financial aspirations, anxieties, and preparedness of Australians.

Welcome back to another season of The Future Report podcast! Last week, Mark McCrindle and Ashley Fell had the pleasure of speaking at the second iteration of SXSW in Sydney - a conference for global creative professionals seeking future industry trends and adventurous new ways of thinking. In today's episode, our podcast producer, Holly Schaaf, sits down with our host, Ashley Fell, to discuss McCrindle's recent involvement with this great event.

You might think that Baby Boomers and Generation Z are worlds apart in their work ethic and values, but our latest research challenges those assumptions, revealing surprising similarities and debunking some common stereotypes. In this final episode of season 12, our host, Ashley Fell, sits down with McCrindle's Managing Director, Sophie Renton, to explore how each generation approaches work, what they value most in their colleagues, and how these insights can help create more harmonious and productive workplaces.

By 2025, Generation Alpha will become the largest generation. Shaped in a digital and virtual world, they are certainly different to previous generations. But how are they viewed among the other cohorts? This was the focus of one of our latest insights reports. In today's episode, our podcast producer, Holly Schaaf, sits down with McCrindle's Director of Advisory and Future Report host, Ashley Fell, to discuss these fresh insights.