Explore five core methods of futures thinking with insight & foresight's Icons of Futures Thinking: Futures Triangle, Two x Two Matrix, Three Horizons, Four Archetypes, and the Futures Wheel. Learn how these approaches can help navigate and redefine our rapidly transforming world.

STEEP analysis evaluates Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political factors impacting businesses. Essential for horizon scanning, it helps anticipate changes and make long-term decisions with more confidence and greater reliability.

For entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders alike, navigating the balance between knowledge and the unknown becomes a potent strategy. It enables them to remain flexible and stay ahead in a constantly changing landscape.

Explore the art and science of foresight: balancing the known and unknown, embracing complexity, and navigating the shifts and disruptions of our world.

Key note presentation: 0900 Friday 24 March 2023, Local Government Association of South Australia Communications Conference, Adelaide, South Australia.

Foresight workshops: 18 & 19 January 2023, Leaders for IMPACT Network, Sydney, Australia.

By taking into account both past behaviours and present trends when making decisions now—and by embracing uncertainty instead of shying away from it—we can position ourselves strategically so that whatever happens next won’t catch us off guard but will instead serve as a chance for growth and success in our futures.

Businesses need to be aware of both risk and uncertainty when making decisions. By understanding the difference between the two, you can be better prepared to deal with whatever comes your way.

Backcasting is a powerful tool that can be used to manage change and uncertainty. It can help us to identify the steps we need to take to get from where we are now to where we want to be. If you’re facing a complex challenge, backcasting could be the answer.

One way to make sense of what's happening is to think like a futurist. Futurists use foresight to examine trends and identify potential scenarios for the future. This helps them to see both the opportunities and the challenges that lie ahead.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to using strategic foresight in your business. The key is to experiment, find what works for you, and adapt as needed.

You can use the process of identifying Black Elephants, Swans and Jellyfish in your planning to drive new thinking, support diverse plans, build responsive systems and stretch your planning paradigms into longer time horizons.