From debt forgiveness to quantum

Empathy is the word that most marks 2020, a year in which companies worried about their employees’ mental health; the #MeToo movement forged ahead; #BlackLivesMatter took off, and Covid-19 lead to the rediscovery of community.

Empathy will continue to have an impact in 2021 by being present in two upcoming trends: debt forgiveness and supply chain responsibility. As for the third fundamental trend, quantum cybersecurity, its eruption onto the corporate scene as an applicable and commercial technology will ignite a bonfire of innovation.

Boards would do well to anticipate how these key factors will impact their companies in 2021 and ensuing years, even as the pandemic continues to upend business and politics.