It looks like a technicolor squid, but if you spend some time with this "Trend Map," you'll get a sense of what's next and what's hot...and it could give rise to your next innovative product concept!

Taxes, fries, and shipping...what could they possibly have in common? They are products and services of some of the businesses flagged as the fastest-growing franchises for 2009.

Go west, young man (and woman!). Here are the cities where the jobs will be in 2009.

And on the lighter side, beer, barbeque, bobs (as in hair, not in the boy's name), and boomers are among the trends and groups to follow (or lead) in 2009. And business is brisk for psychics, as people seeks answers and direction from the universe.

Join theONswitch Facebook fan club and/or follow us on Twitter. One lucky reader/follower this month will get a FREE $100 gift card for Oasis Day Spa! Just tell us why it should be YOU!

90% of deep sea creatures and some insects generate their own light, though the process of bioluminescence. So, make like one of these talented creatures this year and illuminate the world around you. (Feel free to sing "Glow Worm" along with the Mills Brothers.)

Thanks to devoted blog readers and last month's offer, we'll be donating over $1,000 to charity this year. theONblog provides some motivational sparks on how to get your business act together this year if you're in that "dark place." And Hippy to Wiki begins it's five-week series, "Decade-dense: What All Generations Can Learn from a Former Hippy Chick."

The end of 2008 was so bright, our clients had to wear shades (or other window treatments). Eclipse Curtains were featured on Good Morning America and Sean O'Neil of One to One Leadership was quoted in the New York Times.

LCD-light! eSlide makes sure that every presenter's moment at the podium is brilliant, through amazing PowerPoint presentations and training. And we are creating eSlide's shiny new e-newsletter.

The brightest tag sales ever! Whether you're parting with your old lava-lamp, a high-tech laser pointer, or anything else in your home or office, you'll want to list it on Tagsellit. You can do your spring cleaning, even when there's snow on the ground.

theONswitch beacon will shine on Yonkers again this year, as we have been retained to bring new tenants to METRO92 and 66Main. What better way to shed new light on your business or home life than with a light and bright new work/life space?

Lighten up...have some cake! Our monthly e-blasts for Carousel featured their line-up of "happy cakes." Since we began our online marketing program, we've driven more than 300 new "cake fans" to their website, Facebook page, and Twitter group.

The Oasis Day Spa "Sereni-tea" Grand Opening Celebration is the hottest ticket in town. We're producing an afternoon tea party on February 3rd and an evening "spiked tea" celebration on February 4th. Spa treatments, gift bags, celebrity guests, and more! Sponsorships still available. Just contact us.

theONswitch's Nancy A . Shenker will be presenting at both the National and Tri- State conferences of the American Camp Association. Topics include PR, Social Media, Going Green, and Innovation.

Interested in social media, but don't know quite where to start? Arrange for a "how to" seminar for your organization, community group, or association. We'll tailor it to your needs and industry.

Suffering through Chi-square and regression obviously correlates with future success! During even the darkest of hours during Psychology Statistics (a total snooze-fest), college buddy and fellow outcast (or outlier, as Malcom Gladwell might call us) Howard Bragman lit up my mood. He's now a well-known PR guru and just published an illuminating book.

Speaking of illumination, if the PR thing doesn't work for you and you are still looking for ways to get noticed: This smiley-face lamp, is made from a balloon, so as you get happier, so can your desk. (And it's energy-efficient too!)
This light-up fan can be programmed with a message, so you can be especially obvious (and annoying).
And, if you're really attention-starved, you can wear a light-up tie, vest, or bra.
Shine on!

All you need is love (plus health and business success) in February. But you can start showing the love a little early by becoming a fan of theONswitch on Facebook.