The Journal of 2020 Foresight

Reports from the Knowledge Labs about our recent findings, research topics, and interviews with lifestyle leaders who are creating their own futures.

How to stimulate your own powers of foresight. Consider the following thought provokers. Ask yourself, in these categories what are the brand new trends and forces? Which are the ones growing in importance? Which current forces are loosing their steam? Which have peaked or are reversing themselves? Which are the "wildcards" about to disrupt us in the future? POLITICAL AND TECHNICAL thought for food: Electronics, Materials, Energy, Fossil, Nuclear, Alternative, Other, Manufacturing (techniques), Agriculture, Machinery and Equipment, Distribution, Transportation (Urban, Mass, Personal, Surface, Sea, Subsurface, Space), Communication (Printed, Spoken, Interactive, Media), Computers (Information, Knowledge, Storage & Retrieval, Design, Network Resources), Post-Cold War, Third World, Conflict (Local, Regional, Global), Arms Limitation, Undeclared Wars, Terrorism, Nuclear Proliferation, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Governments (More/Less Power and Larger or Smaller Scale), Taxes, Isms: Nationalism, Regionalism, Protectionism, Populism, Cartels, Multinational Corporations, Balance of Trade, Third Party Payments, Regulations (OSHA, etc.) Environmental Impact, U.S. Prestige Abroad. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC Food for thought: Labor Movements, Unemployment / Employment Cycles, Recession, Employment Patterns, Work Hours / Schedules, Fringe Benefits, Management Approaches, Accounting Policies, Productivity, Energy Costs, Balance of Payments, Inflation, Taxes, Rates of Real Growth, Distribution of Wealth, Capital Availability and Costs, Reliability of Forecasts, Raw Materials, Availability and Costs, Global versus National Economy, Market versus Planned Economies, Generations: Y, X, Boomers, Elderly, Urban vs. Rural Lifestyles, Affluent vs. Poor, Neighborhoods and Communities, Planned or Organic Growth. Got Knowledge?

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Sunday, September 17, 2006

What’s In Your Quiver? Targeting the Inner Circle with the Right Arrows

Chapter Four: The Tribal Territories

By Steve Howard, CKO
The Knowledge Labs

Table of Contents
Chapter One: Basecamp
Chapter Two: The Ridge
Chapter Three: The Outpost
Chapter Four: The Tribal Territories

“The guest of an escapist experience actively participates in an immersive environment. Escapist experiences are not just about embarking from, but voyaging to. In esthetic experiences, individuals immerse themselves but remain passive."

B. Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore, “The Experience Economy”

DOUBLE NICKEL RANCH. You’ve completed a listing of all your likes and dislikes to identify trade-offs for finding your potential ideal locations. You’ve gathered intelligence about those potentials and narrowed your list of considerations. You will investigate your top three geographical areas to aid in your decision-making by conducting a field survey. Eventually you will approach the decision-maker -- potential employer, customer, client or non-profit NGO -- with a proposal based upon what you discovered.

Journal of 2020 Foresight: How do you go about setting up interviews before you travel?

Explorer: You can contact people ahead of time by explaining variations of the following outline:

Begin with the truth -- you've selected their city, exurb or destination resort above all others you've considered as the place where you want to locate or stay permanently.

Diplomatically mention a few of the more pleasant cultural or economic aspects of their community that met your priorities and led to your choice.

Tell them since you plan to settle there you would appreciate them providing detailed information on specific conditions like schools, recreation facilities, etc.

Eagle: In my experience, you will almost invariably receive a courteous reply and a considerable amount of useful information.

J2020F: This part of the communication process seems ideally suited for Linked In.

Explorer: That’s true. In your letter, through Linked In or by email, add another paragraph to the effect that you are too young and vigorous to ever rest solely on your previous accomplishments, and you therefore intend to contribute your skills to some dynamic local concern needing the unusual qualifications that you have to offer. But, use your own words.

J2020F: If you’re looking for a job to ease the relocation transition I can see, with any kind of luck, you may succeed in stimulating invitations to interviews by local firms through this initial contact.

Explorer: It happens more than some people think. Having announced your intentions, ask them to give you all available data on the type of business firms and organizations in the area.

J2020F: What if you know enough already about which firms particularly interest you?

Explorer: Say so. Add any pertinent summary of your abilities or experience that you wish. Close by thanking them for their courtesy and expressing the hope that you may be able to call on them in person in the fairly near future.

J2020F: This almost sounds like you are conducting a business or marketing plan.

Explorer: What you are doing is a systematic targeting process. You’re always keeping in mind that you’ll want to find ways to add-value. Where do some of the potential targets fall on the premium, relevant, high margin continuum?

Eagle: You've already begun collecting information about a select few geographical areas, and a number of potential organizational targets in order to learn whether or not they merited further investigation for your purposes.

J2020F: So this is an ongoing process, isn’t it?

Explorer: Right, those that still fit your objectives become your live organizational targets with target decision-makers in each of them.

J2020F: What if I’m not looking for a job in my resort destination?

Eagle: If you want to be self-employed, then "targets" are customers who might buy products from you.

Explorer: If you want to be a consultant, then 'targets" are places which need your services.

Eagle: If you want to coach wealthy Boomers through a transformation, then “targets” live in destination resort communities who need to become who they aspire to be.

J2020F: And If did want to work for someone, then, of course "targets" are those places where you might enjoy working, because they are pursuing your interests and fit your ideal job specifications, correct?

Explorer: That’s right! Next your task will be working your chain of introductions.

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