Top ECO-Trends For 2020

I'm predicting that 2020 will be a pivotal year for eco-development. New products and services that are eco-friendly will abound. Moving forward with sustainability must be incremental but constant and without disruption. 

There is great opportunity for innovation, investment, and prosperity for all economic levels as eco-based conservation takes hold in many facets of out lives.

From cork sneakers to edible food containers things are changing our lives - and changing FAST!  Below are a few of my favorites in terms of viability, usefulness, and sustainability.



Estudio 41 - a Brazilian company that manufacturers compact, eco-concious houses that are energy and water conserving.

Zero X Gear-free E-Motor Bikes - powered by a battery pack that offers up to 100 miles per charge these bikes are easy to ride and have gearless operation.

Aston Martin Lagonda - Ultra-lux 4 passenger all electric X-over. No price as yet. Design futuristic.










Alpro Edible Food Containers - not only healthy but completely reduces packaging waste. Plant-based food containers are made of a combination of nuts, spices, fennel, pumpkin and sesame seeds.









Solar powered SmartPhone Cases - outfitted with a small solar panel on the back of the phone there is no need to ever charge your phone again. The solar panels are slim and also protect the phone as any case would. Many available NOW!





These products are, in most cases, available now. Everyone needs to "think" eco. It is not hard and it is not sacrificial - it is everyday living in a sensible way. Eco-friendly does, and shouldn't, call for extremes. Conservation comes from the word conservative or those that change, but slowly.  We all need to embrace the notion of conservation which fully uses our technological advancements. Eco-concious products and services will be the norm and that starts in earnest in 2020.

Just saying,
Jim Lavorato, Principal
Fund-House Ventures
 

Business Growth Is NOT Equal

I believe that business growth is directly related in how much invested capital is required to fuel that growth - so long as the other growth accelerators (management, momentum, and marketing) are present.

Types of Growth

- New Product/Market Development : investment in the growth of a new product or market generates the best margins, since there is limited competition and the market is growing. Hint: creating new demand for a product that did not previously exist requires outstanding innovation capabilities.  

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- Expanding Into Adjacent Markets: Moving into adjacent market expansion requires precise execution skills and organizational flexibility. It will bring very attractive margins.

- Maintaining or Growing Market Share: It takes a lot of funds and great management to make the product and its value distinctive. But, as long as, the market is still growing, margins will remain solid.

- Growing Share In a Stable Market: This type of growth does not always create value. Although investment may be small, competition for share in order to maintain scale is typically intense, and leads to lower margins.

- Acquisitions: Although for middle and large sized firms this growth type will drive top and bottom-line numbers very quickly but performance may not be sustainable without great management and momentum. 

I should mention that the timing of growth opportunities is determined within each industry. Also, it is easier for smaller companies to grow than larger ones.

All businesses must grow to survive in this very competitive marketplace - choose your type with great care and make sure you have the capital to pull it off. 

Jim Lavorato, Principal
Fund-House Ventures, LLC

Fasting Growing U.S. Brand : NETFLIX

The word 'Netflix' has become a verb. When that happens - your company has got lots of Brand equity.  To back this up, a new brand survey, by Brand Finance, indicated that Netflix was the fastest growing Brand in 2018.

Netflix's brand value, doubled over the year to reach $21.2b.  According to Brand Finance, Netflix delivers high-quality and varied programming and has attained the premier position in the content streaming industry. It is one company that has both pricing-power and excellent consumer ratings.

Regarding Brand value, Netflix ranks as 40th in overall dollar value, up 19 spots from year earlier results. The tech giants, such as Apple, Amazon, Google take the top rankings in brand value.

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After, Netflix (which had the highest growth in brand value at 105%) were: Taco Bell (83%), American Express (81%), Hampton Inn (78%), Dunkin (73%), Pizza Hut (72%), and Discovery (70%).

There are many companies on Netflix's heels, from Disney to AT&T - all trying to unseat the number one streamer. Will they be successful. NO! Why. They are too late in the game and fighting more for second and third place than first.

Jim Lavorato
Principal, Fund-House Ventures
jlavorato@fundhouse.us