Adam’s Blog | Adam Hartung

Microsoft: Value Creation Is About New Markets and Growth – Not Defending Your Base

Jan 16, 2020 | Boards of Directors, Defend & Extend, Leadership, Software, Web/Tech

Why does it take so long for Boards of Directors to overcome the inertia of bad decisions? Boards need to assure that CEOs and management are tracking trends, not pet projects.

Do You Grow with Market Shifts – or Slowly Lose Relevancy? The Advertising Story

Dec 27, 2019 | Advertising, Disruptions, Innovation, Television, Trends

Internet advertising growth tripled in each of the last two decades. It’s the very definition of a market disruption. Yet, many companies didn’t see the trend. Why?

The Remarkable, Predictable Decline of TV

Dec 7, 2019 | Entertainment, Innovation, Marketing, Strategy, Television, Trends

In 2012, I wrote a post, “The Day TV Died”. The trends were visible- Netflix was poised to explode and was the stock to own. What’s your ad plan today?

Mighty Oaks from Tiny Acorns Grow – Beyond Meat

Nov 2, 2019 | Disruptions, Food and Drink, Innovation, Marketing, Strategy, Trends

Under the noses of the established food companies, plant based meat innovators jumped into the market. Firms like Beyond Meat swiftly built brands and are riding the trends driving plant based meat products.

Plan for the Unseen Disruptions to Your Business…Now.

May 9, 2019 | Innovation, Marketing, Strategy, Trends

Market disruptions first appear as potential threats: a new product here, a start-up there, a bit of research further along. How do you find them? Implement a threat identification and monitoring system and be aware!

Find Opportunities Out of the Box

May 1, 2019 | Disruptions, Innovation, Marketing, Strategy

Opportunity assessments are the most powerful way to generate growth. Examining the full value chain can provide more insights into trends than customer surveys alone. Companies can get ahead of competition with trends.

Now’s The Time To Buy FAANG Stocks

Dec 11, 2018 | eBooks, Investing, social media

Since 2012, I’ve been a huge fan of Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google. And they have dramatically outperformed the market. In the last few weeks their values have fallen dramatically, and I’ve heard grumblings that these are no longer the stocks to own. I...

The Bitcoin Fad – Successfully Understanding Trends vs Fads

Nov 25, 2018 | Innovation, Investing, Trends, Web/Tech

Bitcoin value continues to decline, as I predicted in Aug 2017 because it has all the signs of being a fad. Many thought Bitcoin was “the next big thing” and maybe it will be in the future, but for now investors have stopped celebrating with “Macarena”.

Facebook Launches “Portal” – Why You Want to Pay Attention

Oct 10, 2018 | eBooks, Innovation, Investing, social media, Software, Trends

Facebook’s latest innovation, Portal, integrates with Alexa, Instagram, and other technologies to enhance personal network communications. The stock of Facebook is well off its recent high so could this be an attempt to rebuild its reputation as an innovator? A closer look at Portal shows it has the potential to be a social media disruptor.

New ebook from Adam Hartung on Facebook

Sep 26, 2018 | eBooks, Innovation, Investing, Marketing, Software, Web/Tech

In the recently published, "Facebook- The Making of a Great Company", Adam Hartung analyzes the rise of Facebook and its impact on the financial community, business marketing and innovation. Adam's posts over the years have predicted key milestones in Facebook's...

Reports of Facebook’s Death Are Greatly Exaggerated (Paraphrasing Mark Twain)

Jul 30, 2018 | Innovation, Investing, Software, Strategy, Trends, Web/Tech

Adam Hartung has analyzed Facebook extensively for years and has projected the company’s growth, innovation and path to disruption. Here are his most recent posts on Facebook and an outlook.

Medical Tourism TREND – or How to Make a Fortune From US Health Care Stupidity

Jul 19, 2018 | Entrepreneurship, In the Rapids, Innovation, Marketing, Medical

US Medical costs keep rising, the population keeps aging, and cost of insurance is prohibitive. But people need to recover from illness and get back to wellness. Needs plus Trends equals opportunities… for medical industries in other countries.

Apple’s Installed Base – Foundation for Success, or Curse?

Jul 11, 2018 | Computing, Growth Stall, Innovation, Investing, Software

The last few quarters sales growth has not been as good for Apple as it once was. The iPhone X didn’t sell as fast as they hoped, and while the Apple Watch outsells the entire Swiss watch industry it does not generate the volumes of an iPhone. And other new products...

Harley Davidson Has Far Worse Problems Than President Trump or EU Tariffs

Jun 27, 2018 | In the Swamp, Innovation, Investing, Manufacturing, Transportation, Trends

Harley Davidson’s response to avoid EU tariffs is to build a plant in Europe- where competition is tougher than in the US. Seems a bit too late for this aging brand that’s been bailed out, lost market share for years and is facing changing demand.

GE Kicked Off the Dow (DJIA) – The Worst Board of Directors in America

Jun 20, 2018 | Boards of Directors, Growth Stall, Investing, Manufacturing, Strategy

GE’s payout ratio has climbed since 2014, propping up the share price. In 2018, GE was paying out more than earnings. Why didn’t GE re-invest in its own businesses? Perhaps the Board didn’t understand trends and innovation. Anyone can sell off assets but they proved it’s hard to choose a good CEO.

How Ants Kill Elephants – The Amazon.com, Sears & Walmart Story

Jun 5, 2018 | Investing, Retail, Strategy, Trends, Web/Tech

Small companies operate in the niches disregarded by larger firms. It’s in these fringe markets where trends begin, often unnoticed, until its too late to react. Is your firm watching these market segments?

Why You Want To Own Facebook – And Big Investors Have To

May 22, 2018 | Innovation, Investing, Marketing, Software, Web/Tech

Facebook is following the Amazon playbook on market domination through innovation.

Amazon Alexa Is Becoming Ubiquitous – And That’s an Apple Threat

May 8, 2018 | Computing, Growth Stall, Innovation, Investing, Software, Trends, Web/Tech

Apple’s Siri is 7 years old, but the neighbor kids down the street Alexa and Cortana are only 4 years old but growing up much faster. Alexa may soon be the popular kid on the block.