Future, Inc.

Overview

When you can see the future, you can profit from it.

"Foreword by Joseph Coates

In the next 50 years, new technologies, shifting global economics, and many other factors will present innumerable changes for business and society to navigate. Starting now, leaders need to be more flexible, responsive, and decisive than ever before. Unfortunately, most people are not trained in the type of critical thinking required to anticipate what lies ahead. This groundbreaking book will change that.

Futuring is not a matter of tea leaves and crystal balls -- it is a rigorous science based on time-tested analytical methods. Future, Inc. translates the proven techniques of professional futurists into accessible language and shows how to:

* identify what is and what isn't changing at a given time, and how even small changes will affect whole businesses

* use forecasting -- not ""predictions"" -- to pinpoint tomorrow's realities by looking at today's trends

* employ scenarios to test the validity of potential strategies

The author illustrates his advice with examples of companies whose foresight has given them an unparalleled advantage and identifies significant trends that will impact businesses in the future. Companies can't afford to be caught unaware. In order to survive and succeed, they need to look ahead. Future, Inc. provides the tools to bring the future into focus."

About the Author

Eric Garland (Washington, DC) is a professional futurist. He is an advisor to executives at top corporations and government agencies as an expert in futures research and competitive intelligence. His dozens of major clients include Ford, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Siemens, Wyeth, and Goodyear.

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Review Quotes

"... Cleverly illustrates both how to incorporate future planning scenarios into business strategy development and the benefits of doing so.?

-Competitive Intelligence Magazine

"Beyond amusement, the value of this book is usefulness as a guide to evaluate trends that may evolve into opportunities.?

-Miami Herald

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Miami Herald Review

"Garland is imaginative but also a bit of a pragmatist in recognizing the usual forces that exert themselves upon human behavior, and this approach informs most of his work. Also, he's a good writer, so his prognostications are presented in a pleasantly entertaining manner. Beyond amusement, the value of this book is its usefulness as a guide to evaluate trends that may evolve into opportunities….Garland provides an interesting perspective from which to evaluate events and project their possible future outcomes.?

-Miami Herald

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Table of Contents

"Foreword / v

Acknowledgments / vii

introduction: Today's Chaos; Tomorrow's Opportunity / 1

Part 1: Tools and Techniques / 11

1 Futurism: The Antidote to Chaos / 13

2 Systems Thinking: A Superhighway to Change / 23

3 Analyzing Trends: Real Change vs. Media Hype / 47

4 Into the Future: Making Judgments; Evaluating Forecasts / 75

5 Strategic Implications: What the Future Means to You / 86

6 Scenario Generation: Drawing a Picture of the Future / 103

7 Communicating the Future -- Even to the Skeptical / 124

Part 2: Drivers of the Future / 135

8 Aging: Preparing for a New Grey World / 137

9 Information Technology: Falling in Price, Increasing in Power / 155

10 Health Care: New Gadgets vs. Following Doctors' Orders / 168

11 Biotechnology: Scratching the Surface of the Secrets of Life / 184

12 Energy: Getting More out of Less / 197

13 Nanotechnologies: Smaller Is Better / 210

14 Media and Communications: Six Billion Channels for Six Billion People / 220

15 Ecology and Sustainability: Growth Can Be Good / 234

Epilogue: Where Do We Go from Here? / 248

Notes / 251

Index / 256"

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