No one gets the crystal ball to show us what the future holds. That doesn't mean we can't make our own. In a recent client meeting, I took the management team through a "future" exercise in which they identified influences and trends impacting today into tomorrow. We do that using the STEEPLE method:
Societal:
Consumer behavior, demographics, lifestyles, values
Technological: Innovation, communication, energy, transport, R&D, product life cycles
Economic: Interest rates, international trade, taxes, inflation, jobs
Environmental: Water, wind, food, soil, pollution, regulations
Political: Shift in power, stability, regulation, tax policy, consumer protection, jurisdiction, trade unions
Legal: Employment laws, safety, competition
Ethical: Social responsibility, values
What happened during the exercise was pretty cool. The team identified a new service and product line in which they could implement in a very short timeline, using resources they already had, that addressed the trends of the future, which would leap them well ahead in their industry. It was like watching little kids build a fort. The excitement and energy was phenomenal and it immediately went into their 2016 plans.
That's Facilitation to Fruition ~
All the best wishes to you for 2016!
