Pan Macmillan

Trend guru Dion Chang – who recently hosted the 2010 Flux Trend conference – candidly answers questions for Izimvo about what’s in vogue, a few of his favourite things and living in Johannesburg:

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Dion Chang, Trend Analyst from Flux Trends.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: People who read my column know me quite well. I also release a lot of personal information through online services such as Twitter. The stuff that people don’t know, they shouldn’t know and are not going to know.

As for my favorite movie of all time, a movie that really made an impression on me is Blade Runner. It was the first movie that was a realistic look at what the future could be.

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Book details

• The State We’re In: The 2010 Flux Trend Review edited by Dion Chang
  EAN: 9781770101661
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

A speaker to look out for at this year’s Flux Trend Conference Menzi Mthethwa, gives us a preview of what he thinks 2010 holds in store for corporate social investment campaigns. More of his and other trend spotters’ insights are available in The 2010 Flux Trend Review.

As we start seeing the biggest global economic meltdown on our review mirror, corporate social investment campaigns will never be the same again. We can expect innovative campaigns that we have never seen before.

In other words, fundraisers (NGOs, NPOs and companies) will be going that extra mile in making sure that people show interest in their campaigns. Those who will not try to evolve – and are expecting cheques because they feel they are entitled to donations since they are helping the poor – will be left behind. It’s a harsh reality.

• Read the complete article at BizCommunity

Book details

• The State We’re In: The 2010 Flux Trend Review edited by Dion Chang
  EAN: 9781770101661
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Image courtesy Bizcommunity

Editor of the The State We’re In: The 2010 Flux Trend Review and local fashion fundi Dion Chang says conspicuous consumption is old hat. We’re all into “Emphatic Economy” and innovation now. Design-wise it might just be one of the best things to happen in a long time.

Conspicuous consumption is so “last season”. This is the message from trend analyst Dion Chang.

At a presentation yesterday, he said 2008 had been the year of the “wake-up call, while last year was a global peak year”, an expression that describes a year when a way of life comes to an end.

The previous peak year, he said, was 2001, when fear of terrorism in the US came to dominate global events.

The global recession that began in 2008 reached a trough last year, throwing millions of people out of work. The outcome, Chang said, was the start of an “empathetic economy” – the topic of his presentation, in which “value systems changed drastically” and companies, communities and families collaborated to survive.

• Read the complete article in the Business Report

Book details

• The State We’re In: The 2010 Flux Trend Review edited by Dion Chang
  EAN: 9781770101661
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

The Cow Artworks was the hottest place to be in Joburg’s trendy Parkhurst last Thursday: Famed broadcast personality, actor, author and now photographer Eric Miyeni launched his latest literary offering, A Letter from Paris – a collection of essays and photographs capturing his visit to the City of Light in 2007 – at the jazzy venue, which was packed to the rafters.

Cellist Kutlwano Masote provided the music as guests mingled in the gallery taking in Miyeni’s black and white photographs on the walls. The French Ambassador to South Africa, Jacques Lapouge, was introduced as the guest speaker.

Praising the book and its approach, which, for once, has an African observing and commenting on European culture, La Pogue said, “Black people have been brutalised for centuries. To heal we need moments to be proud of, we need something that focuses our attention in the world to find joy, and the will to be better and successful.” Acknowledging Miyeni’s well-known outspokenness Lapouge added, “we find it interesting that someone like you could experience our capital city during the Rugby World Cup”.

When it was his turn to take the floor, Miyeni sincerely thanked Ambassador Lapouge, and paid tribute to the former French Ambassador to South Africa, Denis Pietton, remembering him for his “easy smile and deep understanding and love for this country”. Miyeni included IFAS Director Laurent Clavel, and Alliance Francaise’s Frédéric Jagu in his thanks for supporting the work.

“I hope you like the work,” the author quipped, “and if you don’t, write vigorously in protest!” Miyeni honoured his mother Mavis, who was present, “for all the goodness” in him and for teaching him to “stand on his feet”.

Wrapping up, he reminded guests that the walls were filled with his debut photographic work and playfully advised readers to read his book the “traditional way”: “patiently start where the book begins and work you way through to the end”.

Post the speeches the DJs took over and the real party started. Even Joshua Lindberg was spotted popping over to the gallery while on his evening walk with his dog!

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Book details

• A Letter from Paris: Essays and Photographs by Eric Miyeni
  EAN: 9781770101722
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Eric Miyeni will be launching his latest oeuvre, A Letter from Paris in Parkhurst, Johannesburg this evening. Ahead of the event, the Sowetan published this profile of the author and photographer:

ERIC Miyeni, the actor, radio personality and author, has come up with a journal of essays and photographs depicting French society. The journal will be launched today in Parkhurst, northern Johannesburg.

Called A Letter from Paris, the publication is poised to cause some interest in Johannesburg’s intellectual circles given the author’s background as a polemicist.

This journal follows Miyeni’s visit to Paris in 2007, accompanied by his trusty pen and camera, where he spent two weeks keenly observing the city’s architecture, its history, its people and culture.

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• Click here for book launch details

Book details

• O’Mandingo!: The Only Black at a Dinner Party by Eric Miyeni
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9781770091870
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

• A Letter from Paris: Essays and Photographs by Eric Miyeni
  EAN: 9781770101722
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

SA’s favourite fashion fundi cum trend strategist Dion Chang has made a prediction that, if correct, will see the world change in ways we’ve never before imagined: according to Chang, first female century in history is underway, starting now:

Forget green energy and socially responsible businesses, the biggest driving force of entrepreneurial activity and global leadership is likely to come from one source – women in business.

Highly-rated South African trend strategist Dion Chang identifies this as the “the start of the female century” in his latest Flux Trend Review release.

He points to research that shows that in 2009, for the first time, more women than men were employed in the US workforce. A big contributor to this is the fact that the industries hardest hit were banking and manufacturing, traditionally dominated by males.

• Read the complete article

Book details

• The State We’re In: The 2010 Flux Trend Review edited by Dion Chang
  EAN: 9781770101661
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Pan Macmillan is delighted to invite you to the launch of Eric Miyeni’s A Letter from Paris.

In October 2007, the author, accompanied by his trusty pen and camera, spent two weeks in Paris keenly observing the city’s architecture, its history, its people and its culture.

For once the tables are turned in a positive way: an African is observing instead of being observed, and passing comment instead of being commented upon.

Join us for the launch of this moving photographic journal. Miyeni’s photographs will be exhibited and will be on sale during the evening. See you there!

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, 04 February 2010
• Time: 6:00 PM for 6:30 PM
• Venue: The Cow Artworks, 5 The Cobbles
  4th Ave, Parkhurst
• RSVP: nina@panmacmillan.co.za, 011 731 3440

Book Details

• A Letter from Paris: Essays and Photographs by Eric Miyeni
  EAN: 9781770101722
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Wise words from trends guru Dion Chang, editor of the Flux Trend Review:

“We are discovering that life in the 21st century is nothing we imagined it would be. We find ourselves bombarded with information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The onslaught is relentless. We have less time to absorb, less time to reflect and as a result, less time to make measured or informed decisions. As a matter of survival, not choice, we edit the information flung at us, and discard the information that is not within our immediate area of interest.

“The only problem is that the information we edit out (and don’t believe is relevant), is becoming increasingly interconnected, so we inadvertently block or divert our information channels. As a result, our perspective is skewed, our social interaction is affected, the generation gap becomes widener and we start to miss out on crucial business opportunities.”

Dion Chang’s 2010 Flux Trend Review Conference… powered by Blackberry will track the ripple effect of the global economic meltdown, the consumer revolution that has been sparked off as a result, the technology that has provided the tools for change, as well as the massive shift of social and business dynamics that are altering the journey ahead.

An array of top thought leaders will offer insights on topics ranging from politics, advertising and popular culture to cutting edge developments in technology.

In a nutshell, business and lifestyle trends, which affect the way in which we live, work and do business in the 21st century.

Don’t miss this chance to take stock of the future… before it happens:

• Date: Thursday 25 Feb 2010
• Venue: UJ Arts Centre theatre (University of Johannesburg – Kingsway campus, Auckland Park, Johannesburg)
• Speakers: click here
• Programme: click here
• Register now: E-mail Giuli Osso at giuli@gocomms.co.za to reserve your seat
• Note: Conference price includes finger lunch, tea break refreshments and goodie bag… AND free entry to Digital Lab on Friday 26th February 2010, which is by invitation only
• More information: click here

Book details

• The State We’re In: The 2010 Flux Trend Review edited by Dion Chang
  EAN: 9781770101661
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Image courtesy fluxtrends.com

New from Pan Macmillan

What does a Tsonga speaker from South Africa make of Paris, the French city of love?

In October 2007 Eric Miyeni, accompanied by his trusty pen and camera, spent two weeks in Paris keenly observing the city’s architecture, its history, its people and its culture.

The result is an accomplished collection of essays and black and white photographs that are quirky, often poignant, quite astute, really funny and truly different in their take on the subject matter.

For once the tables are turned in a positive way: an African is observing instead of being observed, and passing comment instead of being commented on.

Eric Miyeni’s A Letter from Paris will spirit you away.

About the author

Eric Miyeni is an accomplished writer and actor as well as a radio and television presenter. He spent fifteen years working in advertising, starting as a copywriter and finishing as Managing Creative Director of ChilliBush Communications in 2006. His acting career has spanned the stage, television and the big screen, working with the likes of James Earl Jones (Cry the Beloved Country), Danny Glover (Bopha!) and Elizabeth Hurley (Dangerous Ground). A Letter from Paris is his fourth book.

Book details

• A Letter from Paris: Essays and Photographs by Eric Miyeni
  EAN: 9781770101722
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

In a world that’s ever connected and constantly changing Dion Chang and co offer guidance with the yearly Flux Trend Review, looking at what will be hot (or not) in the months to come. Chang shared some of the findings in The State We’re In: The 2010 Flux Trend Review on BizCommunity:

1. Peak experiences:

The global financial crisis and ensuing recession of 2009 and can be regarded as a global peak experience. Peak experiences refer to these types of events that stand out in our mind, affecting us deeply and in most cases, changing our thoughts and behaviour patterns: 9/11 was a similar global peak experience.

What the crisis and recession has done is made us more aware of our actions (their impact and responsibility we need to take), to our business practices, the planet and our fellow human beings. It has shifted our thinking from a self-centred “me” era, to an era of “us” and “we”.

As a result, people are looking for deeper life experiences, as well as brand experiences (product and services) that stand out. Brands and corporate companies need to adapt quickly to this changing consumer mindset.

• Read the complete article

Book details

• The State We’re In: The 2010 Flux Trend Review edited by Dion Chang
  EAN: 9781770101661
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!