Originally published on Linkedin on 1st January 2021, here

One thing 2020 has taught for certain is – there is little predictability to anything. Unintended consequences of external factors can turn every data and model on its head.

I am still making an attempt to visualise how 2021 will likely unfold. I believe it will be a year of extreme paradox.

  1. An Unprecedented number of companies will fold, while a record number of new companies will be registered too.
  2. An unprecedented number of micro-entrepreneurs will evolve. Over 100m people will start a side-car, side-hustle, secondary revenue stream.
  3. Innovation and digital transformation will be faster than ever before in almost all verticals and geographies.
  4. Highest unemployment on record. More so for two specific cohorts – fresh grads and people between 45-55 years of age.
  5. The hiring process will evolve to be faster and more efficient, while firing will become easier and faster too. At the same time – a lack of face2face interaction will likely lead to unfit hires and wrong fires.
  6. Creativity and originals will thrive more than ever.
  7. Commercial real estate and leasing will have transformative changes to the business model.
  8. The number of adults enrolling in paid learning, re-skill, upskill programs will be the highest on the record.
  9. Grassroots Philanthropy will boom.

What do you think?