--- title: Understanding the 2016 Business Headwinds and Tailwinds description: Global Business headwinds & tailwinds is a 4 part series reviewing business trends & what they mean to you from the Global Business Acumen perspective image: https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/Blogs/business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-1.png --- [![logo-advantexe-150.png](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-advantexe-150.png?width=150&height=123&name=logo-advantexe-150.png "logo-advantexe-150.png")](https://www.advantexe.com) ![blog-banner-2022](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-banner-2022.png?width=973&name=blog-banner-2022.png "blog-banner-2022") ### The Advantexe Advisor Blog - providing a deep and applicable understanding of the system of business. # Understanding the 2016 Business Headwinds and Tailwinds By Robert Brodo | Jan 19, 2016 8:52:00 AM | [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Funderstanding-the-2016-business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-global-business-acumen%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Funderstanding-the-2016-business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-global-business-acumen%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Funderstanding-the-2016-business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-global-business-acumen%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Funderstanding-the-2016-business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-global-business-acumen%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Understanding%20the%202016%20Business%20Headwinds%20and%20Tailwinds) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Funderstanding-the-2016-business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-global-business-acumen%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Funderstanding-the-2016-business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-global-business-acumen%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Funderstanding-the-2016-business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-global-business-acumen%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ## ![business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-1.png](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-1.png?width=700&height=185&name=business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-1.png "business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-1.png") ## A Global Business Acumen Perspective and Insight – Part 1 of 4 Now that we are more than half way through the first month of the New Year and have settled back into our “normal” routines, this blog post will share that *there are no more normal routines*. Researchers at [McKinsey](http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/strategy/the_four_global_forces_breaking_all_the_trends) have presented a new and compelling way to look at the world of business and further develop our[ business acumen competency](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/defining-business-acumen) and skills to adjust to the changes of this new business world. [No Ordinary Disruption](http://www.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Disruption-Global-Breaking/dp/1610395794) is a game-changing book and series of articles that succinctly provides ideas[![Why Business Acumen Matters](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1153922/6db7be54-33c7-4dd7-8236-70c569dfa763.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1153922/6db7be54-33c7-4dd7-8236-70c569dfa763)  and insights that business leaders and decision makers can use and apply immediately.  The authors share four mega-trends that are reshaping the global landscape and are critical to know as you execute your strategic plans, make business decisions, lead your people, sell your products / services, and try to achieve your short- and long-term objectives. These trends include: - The Age of Emerging Market Urbanization - Accelerated Technological Change - The Challenges of the Aging World - Global Connectivity I have written this blog post in four parts, sharing an interpretation of each of the four trends that will cause  [business headwinds and tailwinds ](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/getting-our-arms-around-business-headwinds-and-tailwinds)for you during the upcoming year and what they mean to you from the [Global Business Acumen](https://www.advantexe.com/business-acumen), Business Leadership, and Strategic Business Selling perspectives. **The Age of Emerging Market Urbanization** A typical day.  I woke up early for my daily run, did a solid 2.5 miles out and on the way back, I found myself dodging out of the way of a White BMW X3 SUV driven by a soccer mom having a conversation on her cell phone as she pulled up to the “drop-off lane” at the school.  Welsh Valley Middle School in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania?  Nope.  The beautiful new Middle School in an affluent section of Shenzhen, China. This scene is now playing out every morning in many emerging market cities  as they experience the simultaneous impact of their industrial and urban revolutions.  The only difference is that the SUVs may be Mercedes, Land Rovers, or Cadillac Escalades.  The center of the world economy continues to move faster than lightening shifting from North America and Europe to Asia.  Consider this; in 2000, 95% of the Fortune Global 500 was headquartered in the United States.  By 2025, 50% of the largest companies in the world - with revenues greater than $1billion – will be headquartered in China. The impact of this urban population explosion is profound as it has been growing by 65 million people per year during the last 30 years.  That’s approximately equal to 10 Philadelphia Metropolitan areas which is the 4th largest in the US.  And here is the most important data point: 50% of the global GDP will come from over 400 cities in emerging markets. And these cities are not called Shanghai, Bangalore, or Dubai which is what most business people think. Global business leaders will need to know the names of cities such as Hsinchu, Santa Catarina, and Tianjin just to name a few.  As you get to know these cities, you need to consider these core business questions: - What is our overall strategy for continued global expansion? - How do I reach these potential new customers? - Where do we get the capital to finance expansion? - How long will it take to establish a brand? - What channels of distribution and sales structure will we establish and support? And then there are the human capital questions: - Are there any available trained and educated workers and leaders ready to be integrated into our business culture? - How do we onboard? - How do we train and develop? - How do we determine our training priorities? - What performance management systems do we use, and are they different? These are all serious business and talent development challenges and opportunities to think about and prepare for.  In the next blog post, we will explore the impacts on business of accelerated technological change. [![Why Business Acumen Matters ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1153922/ef562d5a-acb6-45df-86ae-098c09e7fcc0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1153922/ef562d5a-acb6-45df-86ae-098c09e7fcc0) ![Robert Brodo](https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/Blogs/rob-brodo-author.png) **About The Author** Robert Brodo is co-founder of Advantexe. He has more than 20 years of training and business simulation experience. [**](https://www.advantexe.com) [**](https://twitter.com/robrodo) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/rob-brodo/0/334/574) COMMENTS ### SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL ### About Advantexe Advantexe is a gold medal winning training and performance improvement organization specializing in the development and delivery of interactive learning journeys using computer-based business simulations as the catalyst for learning and change in the areas of: Business Acumen, Business Leadership, and Strategic Business Selling learning solutions. [ Click here ](https://www.advantexe.com/the-power-of-practice-business-simulations) to learn more ### POSTS BY TOPIC - [Business Acumen (54)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-acumen) - [Business Simulation (28)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-simulation) - [Business Acumen Skills (25)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-acumen-skills) - [Business Strategy (23)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-strategy) - [Business Leadership (19)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-leadership) - [leadership development (15)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/leadership-development) - [Leadership (5)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [Sales Training (5)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/sales-training) - [Business Simulations (4)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-simulations) - [Value Discipline (4)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/value-discipline) - [customer intimacy (4)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/customer-intimacy) - [value proposition (4)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/value-proposition) - [Advanced Business Acumen (3)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/advanced-business-acumen) - [Business acumen tips (3)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-acumen-tips) - [product leadership (3)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/product-leadership) - [AI in Learning (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/ai-in-learning) - [Artificial Intelligence (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/artificial-intelligence) - [Leadership Training (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/leadership-training) - [Leading by example (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/leading-by-example) - [Psychological Safety (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/psychological-safety) - [Talent Development (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/talent-development) - [Virtual Learning (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/virtual-learning) - [marketing (2)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/marketing) - [Assessment Simulations (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/assessment-simulations) - [Brand Equity (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/brand-equity) - [Business Skills Assessment (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/business-skills-assessment) - [Coaching (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/coaching) - [Critical Thinking (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/critical-thinking) - [Cyber Security (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/cyber-security) - [Economy (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/economy) - [Employee Engagement (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/employee-engagement) - [Finance (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/finance) - [Growth Mindset (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/growth-mindset) - [HR Strategies (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/hr-strategies) - [Negotiations (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/negotiations) - [Social Selling (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/social-selling) - [Stronger Business Acumen (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/stronger-business-acumen) - [Talent Management (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/talent-management) - [Training (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/training) - [Virtual Selling (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/virtual-selling) - [Warren Buffet (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/warren-buffet) - [Workforce Development (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/workforce-development) - [customer service (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/customer-service) - [digital marketing (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/digital-marketing) - [market stability (1)](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/topic/market-stability) [see all](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/understanding-the-2016-business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-global-business-acumen#) ### RECENT ARTICLES ### POPULAR ARTICLES Search this site on Google Search Google Advantexe Learning Solutions - The Power of Practice 1001 Conshohocken State Road, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428 6108288707 [Copyright](https://www.smartbugmedia.com/inbound-performance-template) by [Advantexe Learning Solutions](https://www.advantexe.com), 2026. All Rights Reserved ### Recent Posts ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/273388/IPT-Files/img/sbm-3ozj5q79luusl8z.gif) ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/934374467/?guid=ON&script=0) ![](https://analytics.twitter.com/i/adsct?txn_id=nxedd&p_id=Twitter&tw_sale_amount=0&tw_order_quantity=0) ![](https://t.co/i/adsct?txn_id=nxedd&p_id=Twitter&tw_sale_amount=0&tw_order_quantity=0) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Robert Brodo", "url" : "https://www.advantexe.com/blog/author/robert-brodo" }, "datePublished" : "2016-01-19T13:52:00.000Z", "headline" : "Understanding the 2016 Business Headwinds and Tailwinds", "image" : [ "https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/Blogs/business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.advantexe.com/blog/understanding-the-2016-business-headwinds-and-tailwinds-global-business-acumen", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/logo-advantexe-150.png" }, "name" : "Advantexe" } } ```