How are you keeping your company relevant in the midst of economic and social change? That’s not a theoretical question; in fact, it should be a component of your strategic plan.
Staying relevant takes observation, insight, and action. It requires you to look beyond the issues that impact this month’s billings. Ironically, it demands that you stay in the present, otherwise you may overlook the threats your customers face today.
Relevancy hangs out at the intersection of today’s problems and tomorrow’s opportunities. Elite communicators know how to place your company right in the middle.
Here are 13 websites that I rely on for fresh perspectives, ideas, and emerging news. Feel free to share your opinions of establishing relevancy and suggest other places that readers can look for inspiration.
Reuters AlertNet
News, information, and analysis for everyone interested in emergency relief. Run by Reuters Foundation.
- Reuters AlertNet
EurekAlert.org
Searchable database of science-related press releases from research institutions, universities, government agencies and corporations. Calendar, resources and links. From the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The Economist
Authoritative weekly newspaper from the U.K. focusing on international politics and business news and opinion.
Benton.org
Works with other groups such as National Urban League, AOL, National Endowment for the Arts to help provide solutions for bridging the digital divide. Links to various foundations including Ford, Kellogg. Offers free on-line versions of reports dealing with technology and access.
Gapminder.org
Non-profit venture promoting sustainable global development and achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by increased use and understanding of stats and other data about social, economic and environmental development.
Journalism.org
An initiative by journalists to clarify and raise the standards of American journalism through research and education. (Project for Excellence in Journalism)
Pew Global Attitudes
Unique, comprehensive, internationally comparable series of surveys that encompasses the current state of the world and important issues of the day.
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Independent, non-partisan public opinion research organization that studies attitudes toward politics, the press and public policy issues. One of seven projects that make up the Pew Research Center.
Gallup
Statistics, news and insights across all (national and global) aspects of management, economics, psychology, and sociology.
Springwise.com
News portal whose content is fed by a network of 8,000 spotters who scan the globe for new business ideas and inspiration for entrepreneurial minds.
Trendwatching.com
Online content from the Amsterdam-based independent trend firm (by the same name). Global round-up of the most promising consumer trends, insights and related hands-on business ideas.
Salon.com
Original reporting and commentary on news and politics, business and entertainment, culture, and life.
Ted.com
TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an invitation-only event where the world’s leading thinkers and doers gather to find inspiration.
