Be prepared! - for alternative paths forward

Be Prepared! - was printed on my boy scout belt buckle. We need that spirit today more than ever. Having strong moral backbone, while being prepared for any possible ways the future can unfold.

In practice for companies this means the following three things. A strong Moral backbone, Alternative scenarios, and an Activist mindset

1. Clarify your core purpose and values, if not already crystal clear

Being crystal clear means firstly that the purpose states what we are about as a company to our customers, the communities where we operate, and to the people we employ, and finally also to our investors. Secondly that our values clearly define what behavior is not acceptable in any condition and what type behaviors we aspire to have. This is our moral backbone.

2. Create or update your mid-term scenarios where your operating environment could be in the coming 3-5 years.

The long term scenarios of the past are not suitable when you are living in a historical hinge point, like I believe we are just now. We need to understand what are the realistic possible outcomes of the major changes we are witnessing in politics, in the environment, in the economy and in the technology, mainly by AI and the data platforms. In order to get as unbiased views as possible, we need a true diversity in terms of thinking patterns or mind maps. Variety in terms of education, background and hence, thinking.

When creating these scenarios, think about the possible routes to each scenario, identify the key triggers that lead the world move into that particular scenario and create means to monitor these trigger points actively in the whole organization.

3. Finally, shape and not just react, be an activist!

We all can be activists toward a particularly attractive future. This means working towards the trigger points pointing into that desired state. Influencing and attracting others to follow. Being an activist. Energy efficiency movement is a good example. If you haven't joined it, join now! However, we need to be prepared also for the undesired futures and be prepared to do our best also then. This means, while working fully for Plan A, preparing readiness also for plans b and c.

These were my thoughts, what about you, what is your thinking or experience?

#energyefficiency, #scenarios, #decoupling