{"id":13448,"date":"2014-07-02T03:16:10","date_gmt":"2014-07-01T20:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/?p=13448"},"modified":"2014-07-02T03:16:10","modified_gmt":"2014-07-01T20:16:10","slug":"insights-years-further-with-ford-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/insights-years-further-with-ford-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Insights from this Year’s Further with Ford Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Further<\/p>\n

I have just returned from Ford Motor Company’s 4th Further with Ford <\/a>Trend Conference for bloggers and journalists. \u00a0This is our fourth year (2013<\/a>, 2012<\/a>, 2011<\/a>) attending and it always promises to be enlightening and thought-provoking. \u00a0One of the things that impresses me most about this ongoing conference, is that Ford is committed to building relationships with its attendees. \u00a0I remember asking them the first year, back in 2011, if they would develop a relationship with us or just invite new people to each annual trends conference.<\/p>\n

A Ford representative told methat they intend to continue to the relationship and conversation…and they did throughout the year, not just at their annual trends conference. \u00a0There are many things that impress me about Ford. \u00a0Their foresight into sustainability and green perseverance, both in their cars and their plants, their push to enhance the driving experience and peace of mind through the use of technology, their commitment to safety, and their ability to look outside the automotive industry to bring innovation to cars that has never been done before.<\/p>\n

\"Further

Heidi Leder, Cathy Herard, Ford’s CEO, Mark Fields, and me.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

While at the Further with Ford conference, I had the opportunity to catch up with some old friends…and made a new one, Ford’s new CEO, Mark Fields.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Every year, Sheryl Connelly, Ford’s Global trends and futuring expert, immerses herself in the ever-evolving social, cultural, environmental, technological, and economic conversations of what the future might look like. \u00a0It is the grappling and restating of these conversations from experts, statisticians, authors, and everyday people that helps Ford foresee into changing trends so they can ensure they build the right cars when the time comes.<\/p>\n

Although at the Ford’s Further with Ford conference, we discussed a number of trends, there were a few standouts that I found particularly interesting to share with you. \u00a0In particular, the growing Female Frontier, the concept of Vaporizing, and the Connected Car.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Female Frontier<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Further<\/p>\n

The Female Frontier was a fascinating discussion, led by a number of people from various professions. \u00a0The Female Frontier covers the how demographic shifts are changing household dynamics and responsibilities. \u00a0Did you know that…<\/p>\n

“66% of men and women globally agree that the world would be a better place if men thought more like women”?<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This number is even higher in the US with 73% of men and women agreeing with this statement.<\/p>\n

Here are some more interesting stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n