by Santa John McDaniel
The View from the Bridge is an OPINION PIECE that explores how societal changes can/will impact the future, especially as these changes apply to the Graphic-Products industry and small businesses in general.

On the COVID-pandemic front – about 1/2 of the US population is fully vaccinated. Vaccination is available to most adults and some children; it appears we are making progress.

On the economic front, there is more help for small businesses. People are getting vaccinated and venturing out more; which is boosting economic recovery.

On a personal note, Holley and I sold our house. As of this writing, we have made the move to Oregon. We left Arizona on May 20th and arrived at our destination May 28th, just in time for the Memorial-Day holiday.

Looking Ahead

Future Trends

As we emerge from this pandemic, we are prompted to assess the cultural and economic changes we have all experienced and observed.

Last time we listed several trends we see coming post-COVID. One that we missed listing is vaccination itself. Businesses will increasingly require patrons to be vaccinated. Airlines may be the first, but won’t be the last.

Management, and workers, may demand vaccination for employment. Hospitals and schools are launching these efforts.

Bottom Line – those who are not vaccinated will become isolated.

This time:

Entrepreneurship will increase. More people will have the opportunity to become self-employed.

This trend has already started. COVID-19 sent many people home. Some jobs are gone forever. Some people are creating products to sell via the web.

Some existing businesses, especially in the graphic products industry, are becoming fulfillment centers. In fact, some suppliers are already fulfillment centers.

The impact COVID-19 has had on the commercial art industry (our industry) has been extremely disruptive. Some businesses have closed, some have expanded, and some were not affected.

The important thing to remember is that everyone is an artist. Some express their art by decorating their bodies, some by decorating their environment, think homes and cars, and some, like those in our industry create art for others, i.e., signs, awards, etc.

Future Articles:

1. Working from Home will increase. Fewer people will travel back and forth to an office.

2. Entrepreneurship will increase. More people will have the opportunity to become self-employed.

3. A basic minimum income for all will be enacted. Think Social Security for all.

4. Universal healthcare will come. Think Medicare for all.

5. Social Security and Medicare for all will stimulate the economy. Small businesses won’t have to compete with large companies who provide health insurance. And, no one will need to work for starvation wages.

6. Linux and Unix operating systems (Android and Chrome) will come to dominate home computers. Windows and I/OS will become niche operating systems.

7. Having some web-presence will become a business necessity.

8. Some businesses in the Graphic Products industry will become fulfillment centers. They receive orders from the web, produce product in-house, and ship it to the customer. No contact.

9. As we have mentioned before, transportation is going electric. Tesla is introducing the Model 2 sometime next year. Its rumored price is $25k. Every major car maker is planning electric vehicles. Who needs gas, oil changes, tune-ups, etc., etc.?

10. Electric generation will become local. You’ll see it in your home, your subdivision, your city, your building, etc. Solar panels and batteries eliminate the need for high-powered transmission lines and transformers. The landscape will be much nicer once all those ugly power lines are removed for scrap metal.

We will cover these trends, and how they will impact our industry in future articles. Next time: A basic minimum income for all.

Homework

As we look to the future. It is important that we answer a couple of questions.

1. Is my interest in creating personalized products for Fun or Profit?

2. What do I do, or does my business do? Are you an Artist or Commercial Artist?

3. Who are my competitors?

In Short

Thank you for your attention. Keep in mind that we don’t know what we don’t know. So, don’t take our word for it. Meditate and find what is right for you.

As we’ve said before, working from home may become the norm. Commuting to an office, not so much or so often. (great for reducing air pollution, not so great for oil producers and gas stations.)

The economic transformations COVID-19 has initiated will last long after the dis-ease is brought into balance (i.e., suppressed). These changes will favor small businesses that work from home.

One final question – In what state do you have to turn on your hazard flashers while traveling at the posted speed limit? Answer – Next Month.