Press release

GDI MAJOR SHIFTS: A FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Rüschlikon, 16 June 2025: Based on decades of trend research, the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI) has identified 20 key developments in five dimensions and analysed their life cycle. The implications identified using the trend framework provide companies with precise, realistic indicators for successful strategic alignment.

Generic macro-trends are often not sufficient to enable strategically well-founded decision-making at companies. This is why the ‘GDI Major Shifts’ model views trends as dynamic developments rather than isolated events or tendencies. This enables a better understanding of transition phases and the definition of specifically tailored strategies. To keep up with dynamic developments, the model is continuously updated with new findings.

20 Major Shifts across five dimensions

The GDI Major Shifts identify the 20 most significant current developments, sub-divided into five categories. They are based on the factors set out in the STEEP framework and include the dimensions of society (Social), technology (Technological), economy (Economical), environment (Environmental) and geopolitics (Political). 

Tabelle der 20 GDI Major Shifts
table of the 20 GDI Major Shifts
Modern strategy development

The GDI’s Strategic Foresight service bridges the gap between theory and real-life application. In collaboration with companies, the GDI translates research findings into targeted solutions that provide real business value. “The GDI Major Shifts enables us to carry out data-based environment analysis for our customers. It provides a well-founded basis for sound, strategic decision-making,” explains Susan Shaw, Head of Strategic Foresight and member of the Executive Board at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. “We firmly believe generic trends fall short when it comes to providing tailored foresight consulting solutions. This model enables a deeper understanding of transitions by identifying, comparing, and measuring specific changes within trends.”

The concise version of the GDI Major Shifts is available free of charge: download here.

If you have any questions about the use of the trend framework in modern foresight consulting, please contact us to arrange an interview with​ Susan Shaw. Trend researcher Joschka Proksik will be happy to answer any specific questions about the developments.

Media contact

Evelyn Reusser
Senior Communications Manager
GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute
Rüschlikon
Phone +41 44 724 62 05
medien@gdi.ch 
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About the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute

The Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI) is Switzerland’s oldest think-tank. A place of inspiration and innovation where strategic visions are expounded, the GDI provides a forum for key decision-makers to shape the future of the economy and society. The GDI unites research and industry-relevant application to define path-breaking strategies in tandem with business. It provides management executives with high-level insights in the fields of retail, nutrition and health and delivers guidance in times of upheaval – always centring on social, technological and environmental changes. This institute, which operates independently, is supported by the Migros Culture Percentage.