6A Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

Economic Trends:
1) Survey suggests baby boomers aren't retiring

• https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2019/03/01/baby-boomers-parting-gift-workforce-one-last-mess/?noredirect=on
• I believe there is an opportunity that could benefit new workers and baby boomers searching for part-time jobs. Baby boomers who are at the age of retirement are looking to transfer over to part-time jobs instead of retiring. Whether its retiring or switching over to a part-time job, as baby boomers exit the workforce they leave a gap of knowledge/experience. 
• Any company that employs a high number of baby boomers who are expected to retire soon. 
• This could be moderately easy to exploit. As the article suggests, many companies are already offering these baby boomers part-time jobs. Perhaps the part-time jobs offered could have some sort of structure that allows baby boomers to pass on knowledge and insights to new workers. Essentially acting as mentors.  

2) Increase in natural disasters as a result of climate change

• https://www.thebalance.com/top-usa-future-economic-trends-3305666
• An opportunity exists here which would require everyones efforts. The issue of climate change worsens and there are still many people who would rather avoid it than to do their part. 
• The prototypical customer would be non-profit organizations, relief groups, and everyone else.
• This opportunity could be difficult to exploit because it would take the efforts of much of the worlds population.
• Having spent a majority of my life in a place that sees plenty of tropical storms, I was able to quickly see the opportunity. 

Regulatory Trends:
3) Smoking regulations

• https://www.boston25news.com/news/boston-cracks-down-on-vaping-with-changes-to-tobacco-nicotine-regulations/987771870
• There is an opportunity present as officials discuss how they plan to tackle this ongoing issue as it turns into a national crisis.  
• The prototypical customer would be verified adult-only vendors.
• This opportunity would be very easy to exploit as there is research that shows the negative effects of vaping and regulating where you can purchase the cartridges and restricting the sale of fruit flavors, there will be a decrease in teen usage. 
• I saw the opportunity because I know and have met many people who indulge themselves with vaping products and rather ignore the consequences that come with using harmful products.

4) Regulators worry about Facebook's potential digital currency

• https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/19/heres-why-regulators-are-so-worried-about-facebooks-digital-currency.html
• Lawmakers are worried about Facebook's recent announcement that they are looking to introduce a cryptocurrency of their own, the Libra Coin. Assuming Facebook succeeds, it is possible that it could compete with currencies like the dollar. I believe the opportunity that exists is investing in the cryptocurrency if Facebook were to introduce it.
• The prototypical customer would be any Facebook user and anyone interested in the cryptocurrency.
• It would be difficult to exploit because Facebook is currently still working on the currency and has yet to implement the change.