#jedfernandez

The  modern day generation is an ultimate powerhouse fueling the future of the next phase of nations development. The energy, enthusiasm and the direction that our youth has is the right mix of recipes needed to build a strong foundation for a growing nation. It is the only fuel to amend every other sustainable harm done by the previous generations. In the name of sustainability, which was supposed to save us and the coming generations resources and a budding environment, has done the exact opposite. Youth is the midst of every other probable crisis that they were taught to not do, but it happened so, it still is and it will. 

The major challenges youths of the nation have;

Drug and Alcohol Abuse 

 With easier accessibility to sources, the world is also facing an ever-rising case of substance  abuse. Peer pressure and conformity to groups, owing to the rising mental health issues creates an easier pathway for it.

Growing up too Fast - 

There was a time when kids used to enjoy being kids. Today, even at the earliest of ages, youth is a part of harmful activities with serious consequences. In many places around the world children are involved in economic activities and bear a burden of responsibility for their families especially due to war and refugee crisis being at its peak in the decade.

Violence

            In the last decade or so more than 1000 kids have lost their lives as a result of school violence, majorly because of a stressed family atmosphere, Bullying and unequal social status resulting in Shooting, stabbing and killings.

Social and Mental Stress 

         Young people are expected to be fast, focused and successful, and this has raised the burden of ambitions and expectation higher in the minds of our youths and it is advisable to understand that no two people are running the same race, it's a matter of time when your efforts, if consistent and focused will start ensuring results. Need to stay calm, meditate and have confidence that constructive efforts never goes in vain and there comes a time when world starts responding to your efforts 

Materialism 

We live in a world where materialistic Achievements define a major chunk of our success rather than the Happiness that a life has with other stuff than materialistic items. It is important to shift focus from gadgets, laptop, online games to constructive learning, working on physical and mental health (Can read about it in my last article) and realising the importance of dream then being stuck up in something which is momentous.

Education inequality 

Education plays a very important role in building characters, although the society as huge inequality in the education system where approx 25% of the youths either have limited access to education or are completely deprived of it, but thanks to technology that now we have easy access to information and knowledge, with due focus and dedication small attempts must be made to learn, progress and acquire an understanding of a subject matter you want to be expert off. Remember winners find ways, losers find excuses, The choice is yours!

How different the youth can be

Different, in a way, to be able to care about the planet, to bring ideas and innovations to be able to breathe, drink clean water and have a place to live. With the digital world that has erupted in the presence of youth, who have and are using it to our benefit, to build apps and innovate, to bring awareness and educate. It is the youth, raising issues, fighting for inclusive rights and so much more. Youth understands the sensitivity of several issues, including mental health, because they are practically more aware and affected. 

The world has the most plates to serve when it comes to youth. We are a young nation, accounting for a  small chunk of the world youth population.

This gives a way out to the country to be able to focus largely on its economic growth, given a more working-age population rather than dependents. The pandemic did pose a threat and put development at the backstage, but, with the tool of social media lessened the impact of harm for majorly urban youth and faintly developed, rural ones. This gave a stage for e-learning platforms to boom and have a backseat to always being an in-hand and on-going option. India continues to be the largest contributor of qualified engineers and technicians, it's also making names in the novel fields of data science and artificial intelligence.

Technology levers a way to major learning and has been catering to a large number of youth to acquire skills and knowledge, to have better off opportunities. It has also influenced start ups for majorly young entrepreneurs in the innovative and diverse fields of food, health and wellness, education to name a few. Since more of the youth are working, it has created a new market for these types of consumers. With more disposable income, markets are working upon to target and inculcate this audience in their plethora. Being a young nation, also caters to several global investment opportunities, the demand of Filipino-skilled youth has been ever-rising, especially with the incoming of a huge number of business investors in the country. While most of the populations globally would be falling short of skilled labour, Filipino’s will be at the front seat in providing services and innovation to these countries. 

 There is room for improvement  that ought to be done by the policies brought by senior workers. This is where an evident change that will help climb a steep step. change in decision and policy makers, for it to be more youth-oriented, have space for younger voices, their demands and needs, in order to bring about a constructive change. 

I would like to put forward few takeaways to my younger generation as to how they can be more productive, constructive and goal oriented so that they can be path leaders of the nations future;

Understand your rights and responsibilities to society 

Learn about social issues and bring change with your innovations 

Believe in the magic of teamwork and networking 

Enhance your creativity

Learn to speak out when it is mandatory

Be an inspirational force

Remember;

It’s where Apple would have been if Steve Jobs and his team wouldn’t have used innovation and technology. It wouldn’t have been a status brand worth billions without innovation and technology, hence, it practically highlights the importance of the same.

We all know, companies which are slow to adapt to changes or refuse to change with the time are most susceptible to failure. It is the smart who make sure to use the best to follow the path of evolution of their brands.

The challenge is not that the technology changes quickly, but that organizations need to understand technology better, faster, in order to adopt enough to continue.

Why should a business consider it?

Think outside the box:-

The world inevitably changes, so do trends and demands, to name a few. Disasters come without notice and for a business or brand to stay least affected by it would come only if they invest in innovative technology.

Know your audience

With the right medium and path, one should make full use of it, in order to know the trends their customers follow, their needs and expectations. The brand which clearly understands the aspirations of its customers and makes use of that information to fulfil the same, have been proven. Working in their favor for the long term, helps brands improve and do better.

Increase efficiency

Investment in technology flows its benefits deep down to the roots and holds things together for long term durations. It can be considered as a one-time investment which branches its advantages to all the sectors of a firm or brand.

Keeping up with relevancy

The world is constantly changing for businesses to remain relevant, they have to constantly keep updating and innovating. Hundreds of websites are created every minute, and more and more data is being brought up. Start ups are becoming major threats and thriving in the market due to the core reason of using innovation and technology. Old businesses vulnerable to old and traditional methods, will find it hard to survive in the market.

Satisfies the business

The main goal and end game for any business or brand is to earn profits which are accelerated by innovation and technology. Investment in the same leaves less room for errors to happen, and even if they do, it’s easier to recover.

Smart businesses would surely choose to make the right decision and prevent repercussions of not investing into something that goes right with their firm.

Examples of brands which chose innovation and technology

Heineken’s Beer Bottles

In an effort to indulge into the cool club culture, Heineken’s Ignite concept created headlines with its innovative interactive beer bottles fitted with LEDs and motion sensors designed to light up during a party goers night.

Netflix

Started as a DVD rental home service and had 10 million subscribers at the peak of 2010, but after trials of providing a dual DVD and online streaming service, it switched to a complete online streaming platform. It retained its DVD-mail customers and viola, today, we all know how Netflix is perceived as a status online streaming platform.

National Geographic

Founded 128 years ago, National Geographic was at the verge of falling out along with its peers in print publications due to digitalization. The subscription rate fell dramatically but embarked on a massive restructuring and re-did their website and integrated content. Within years, it went uphill and currently functions digitally with an enormous amount of subscribers on its social media platforms.

As scary as it might look, change is necessary everywhere and businesses work on a trail-error basis. Certain strategies and innovations can be game changers for brands and help them survive without any consequences for long.