#02Chapter 1: Environmental Scanning Techniques• Environmental ScanningCreative ThinkingIndividual Mode2-4 hours(Time consuming)

Hire Futurists

From the book "Advanced Problem-Solving Toolbox: 115 Creative Plays" | Compiled & Edited by: Mojtaba Goudarzi, Open translation: Mehrshid Goudarzi

Executive Synopsis & Core Logic:

Hiring consultants and futurists to predict trends and changes.

Operational Parameters & Specifications

Operational Benefits & Implementation Risks

Advantages & Value Creation:

Access to new and creative perspectives.

Risks & Potential Trade-offs:

High recruitment costs.

Real-World Organizational & Industry Scenarios

Business Strategy: To develop long-term plans and predict future market trends.

Product development: to identify new technologies and consumer preferences.

Marketing: To understand future customer behavior and optimize marketing strategies.

Operations: To improve efficiency and adapt to technological developments.

Risk Management: To anticipate potential threats.

Public Policy and Government: Planning for Social Change.

Strategic Rationale & Why to Apply

1Gaining fresh perspectives: External experts provide an objective perspective and innovative ideas.

2Access to specialized knowledge: Futurists and consultants have expertise in certain areas that the company's existing forces may not have expertise in that area.

3Identify new trends: They can predict future developments that can affect the organization.

4Enhancing Adaptability: Organizations can better prepare for and adapt to changes in the market or industry.

Conceptual Framework & Book Method Description

The technique of "hiring futurists" involves the use of external experts and specialists to identify potential problems, emerging trends, and upcoming opportunities. This method provides a perspective beyond internal biases.

Step-by-Step Real-World Implementation Scenario

Scenario: Saving a traditional retail chain from declining sales

Step 1: Identifying the need for future researchThe retail chain notices the continuous decline in store traffic and the change in the purchase pattern of the young generation towards digital platforms.

Step 2: Recruit Retail Expert and FuturistThe company is hiring a futurist with a background in consumer behavior analysis and digital transformation to formulate trends for the next 5 years.

Step 3: Holding a foresight workshopexpert will hold a workshop on trends in artificial intelligence, augmented reality (AR) and green and sustainable retail, with the presence of senior managers.

Step 4: Scenario writing and formulation of recommendationsSeveral possible scenarios for the coming years are modeled and measures such as the development of an online platform, the use of AR in product testing, and green product lines are suggested.

Step 5: Implement, monitor and adjustThe chain stores launch experience-oriented departments and add AR feature to the app and refine the strategy by continuously monitoring the data.

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