Your universe has shifted forever as a result of Covid-19 and the global pandemic. Have you?
These are the 10 new rules that should guide your strategy, enlighten your leadership, and move you forward!
Archives for August 2020
Daily Inspiration: “The axis of your universe has shifted forever. Did you shift with it?”
“The axis of your universe has shifted forever. Did you shift with it?” – Futurist Jim Carroll
I’m releasing a new video this morning – “Rethinking Your Future: How Has the Global Pandemic Changed The Axis of Your Universe?”.
Based on some work I was doing for a client in the energy sector, the video takes a look at the key trends that have changed, twisted, accelerated and morphed our old future into a new future. If you bear any responsibility for strategy, leadership, disruptive thinking, or simply like to stay ahead of what comes next, you need to watch this video.
Prior to the global pandemic, I was spending a huge amount of time assisting global leaders understand what our world might look like into the year 2030 and beyond. One of my last stage events was for the World Bank – International Finance Corporation at a major event in Morocco with business executives from around the world. Leaders everywhere were busy seeking insight as to how align their strategies to the disruptive trends that were enveloping them.
And now, as companies start to come out of the ‘shock and awe’ phase of the pandemic, they are once again thinking about the future beyond the next three months.
With that in mind, I put together a concise overview of just what has shifted – at a macro level. In a nutshell – the future you were worried you weren’t prepared for is going to be here faster than you think! With that in mind, what’s your plan?
Video: It’s So Easy Being Green: A Quick Case Study in Epic Home Studio Production!
Someone asked me how I do the awesome live broadcasts that I do from my virtual home broadcast studio – so filmed a little clip to show you what’s involved!
The key thing to know is this – I can do live events with awesome production values, or to take it to the next level, work with my overseas video editor/producer to prepare a custom, professionally produced leadership video suitable for a world class event.
“Someone once asked how I prepare for my future. Ready? Pay attention. Try new stuff. That’s it!”
“Someone once asked how I prepare for my future. Ready? Pay attention. Try new stuff. That’s it!” – Futurist Jim Carroll
This is a screen clip from a little video I did yesterday which goes through the steps I follow to create a live video in the virtual studio.
You’ll only develop new skills if you try new things. You’ll only find new capabilities if you push new boundaries. You’ll only get to a different future if you create a new one. At times, all you need to succeed is a willingness to try things you have not done before.
I’ve always been mystified by people who complain about the fact that their world has changed – and they don’t feel relevant anymore. I had that discussion at the end of March, one day, with my youngest son while out walking at lunch time – he was now working at home during lockdown, and my stage career was pretty much over. A huge part of my professional identity was going on stage and guiding people into their future. I missed the audience, the preparation, the mind rush that came from doing the research into an industry as to what comes next.
His comment? He said that he knew I would pick myself up, figure out new things, try new ideas, and find some relevance once again.
“Get over it, dad!”
With that, my feeling of irrelevance lasted for but a fleeting moment of time. I went back home after the walk and tried something new in the studio.I keep doing that every single day, because the only way I can get ahead and reinvent is by getting ahead and reinventing.
Today, I’ve got capabilities that I did not have six months ago, skills that I never knew existed, and opportunities that are exploding in my mind.
If I don’t try new things, I’ll fail. It’s that simple.
Try new stuff. That’s it.
Daily Inspiration: “Successful people tend to arrive in the future before the future does!”
“Successful people tend to arrive in the future before the future does!” – Futurist Jim Carroll
A frame grab from a pre-event video that was produced for me by my fantastic overseas video partner Armine, aka “Alex.” Ok-doke! It rocks! Watch the video!
I’ve started including these videos – short, sharp shocks of pre-event insight – for clients who are prepared to book me at this moment.
Here’s what I know : I perceive a huge forthcoming demand for the insight of those who bill ourselves as futurists. Even in the last few weeks, the number of inquiries and contacts have increased to a significant enough degree that I’m prepared to call it a trend.
Why? People are moving out of the realm of the shock and awe phase of the pandemic, and are trying to figure out what our world will really look like on ‘the other side.’ The realists among them know that the ‘old world’ of offices, conventions, shopping in close proximity, sporting and entertainment events – all those things are gone for a long, long time. There is no imminent virus at hand – we could be years before we return to any sense of normal.
That obviously has huge future implications in terms of how we design society going forward.
Consider the structural implications. We’ve witnessed entire industries virtualize overnight – corporate structure, the workplace, the concept of place – we are never going back to where we were. People might desire to get together again in ‘offices,’ but won’t be going back any time soon.
That has huge implications as we redefine the concept of ‘social interaction’ going forward, because people still need and want that. Distancing is forever a thing.
Then there are the behavioural aspects. A McKinsey study has indicated that 75% of people have tried real digital interaction for the very first time. They’ve discovered the efficiency of online shopping, the magic of virtual doctor visits, and the power (and hatred for) video calling.
There is a massive new future out there – and it’s by understanding it that you can get there before everyone else does.
Join me!
Video: The Future of Energy in the Era of Covid-19
I’ll be speaking this fall at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association virtual event this October – known as Online Regional Week – on the topic of how Covid-19 has impacted the future of the energy industry.
Organizations need to work harder to get people to sign up for virtual events. With that in mind, I’ve started including my professionally filmed pre-event videos, for now without a separate fee, as part of the deliverable when bringing me in. Give it a watch!
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