Kent Thorén is a strategy expert, engineer and visionary strategic thinker. He has a passion for inspiring towards constructive impact which shines through in his work as advisor and educator.
He has shared 2 Blog posts on adaptivity and proactiveness https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/applicability-agile-strategy-audax-strategic-advisors-qqxcf/.
Academic article in Journal of Strategy and Management – https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/jsma-10-2017-0072/full/html.
For longer discussion or advice requests, contact through LinkedIn or https://audaxstrategy.com/.
In this conversation, Francis Wade and Kent Thoren explore the challenges organizations face in addressing long-term strategic threats. They discuss the importance of future thinking, the resistance to change within organizations, and the role of creativity in strategic planning. Kent introduces the concept of backcasting as a method to help organizations visualize potential futures and make informed decisions. Through case studies and personal experiences, they highlight the need for a shift in mindset to embrace long-term thinking and proactive strategies. In this conversation, Kent Thorén discusses the importance of long-term thinking and how to effectively create future scenarios through backcasting. He emphasizes the need for organizations to identify actions that lead to success and the significance of preemptive strategies in navigating uncertainties. The discussion also highlights the value of rehearsing different pathways to prepare teams for unexpected challenges, ultimately fostering a more engaged and adaptive strategic planning process.
takeaways
Organizations often struggle to address long-term threats due to short-term thinking.
Future thinking requires a shift in mindset and approach.
Resistance to change is a common barrier in strategic planning.
Creativity alone is not enough; a structured method is needed.
Backcasting helps organizations visualize potential futures and plan accordingly.
Engaging colleagues in future scenarios can unlock new insights.
The importance of identifying key drivers of change in business models.
Successful organizations must adapt to changing conditions proactively.
Collaboration with external partners can be crucial for success.
Long-term strategy requires continuous questioning and analysis. You can’t predict everything about the future, but you can predict some things.
Creating a future image is essential for strategic planning.
Identifying actions for future success is crucial.
Preemptive strategy allows the future to happen.
Rehearsing different pathways prepares teams for unexpected challenges.
The process of backcasting can be engaging and fun.
Emotional and social exercises are important in strategic planning.
Teams need to think about what could change in the future.
The future is not set in stone; it can evolve.
Engaging teams in the planning process enhances strategic thinking.
titles
Navigating Long-Term Strategy Challenges
The Power of Future Thinking
Overcoming Resistance in Strategic Planning
Creativity and Strategy: A Balancing Act
Sound Bites
“You need to have some method to the madness.”
“Creativity is also not enough.”
“Normal sense making is retrospective.”
“Creating a future image is essential.”
“You need to think about what could change.”
“Rehearsing different pathways is powerful.”
“You can do backcasting in an afternoon.”
“The future is not set in stone.”
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Long-Term Strategy Challenges
03:06
The Importance of Future Thinking
05:58
Navigating Resistance to Change
09:01
The Role of Creativity in Strategic Planning
11:54
Backcasting: A New Approach to Strategy
14:56
Implementing Backcasting in Organizations
18:01
Case Study: Overcoming Resistance with Backcasting
24:23
Long-Term Thinking and Future Scenarios
25:53
Creating Future Scenarios through Backcasting
29:04
Identifying Actions for Future Success
30:43
The Importance of Preemptive Strategy
35:49
Rehearsing Different Pathways for Success
39:32
Engaging Teams in Strategic Planning