I do LOTS of client events for tech companies – in fact, I’ve been speaking at these events since 1994, when none other than Digital Equipment Corporation booked me to headline a 7-city road show. These events, including this one, will often include an audience of CIO’s, CFO’s or other CxO’s for major global Fortune 1000 companies. My role at this one was to put into perspective the disruptive trends impacting every industry in the room, and why an I.T. infrastructure is swiftly moving beyond mere transaction processing, to being the entire foundation for every business organization going forward. If companies are using technology to disrupt your business, you’ve got to do it better to disrupt their potential!
Daily Inspiration: “There is always someone faster!”
“There is always someone faster!” – #Futurist Jim Carroll
Did you know I share the gene that is common to most high speed sprinters?
It’s true – Usain Bolt and I carry the same DNA! It’s called the “alpha-actinin-3 in fast-twitch muscle fiber” gene, and I have one, which is common to most world-class sprinters. Of course, those who know me well …. In any event, the future is all about aligning to the speed of change. I’m in Phoenix this morning, having my morning coffee (aside: I also carry the gene which makes me a fast coffee metabolizer! I can have several!) and putting together this daily quote.
I will speak in about 5 hours for a group of IT resellers – folks who sell information technology, data, cloud, security and other solutions to Fortune 1000 organizations. My opening keynote will put into perspective the very trends that are causing those Fortune 1000 organizations to become reliant on speed for success: faster product lifecycles, the need for faster reinvention, the rapid emergence of new competitors, fast changing consumers.
It’s all about speed, and when it comes to speed, you might think you are doing well – that is, until Usain Bolt saunters by at a steady pace, leaving you in the dust. As fast as you think you are, you aren’t – so work harder!
Daily Inspiration: “The biggest mistake you can make is to let others tell you what you cannot accomplish!”
“The biggest mistake you can make is to let others tell you what you cannot accomplish!” – Futurist Jim Carroll
I get annoyed when so-called experts suggest things that simply aren’t true.
That was the case in point when the Wall Street Journal ran this article just before I gave a keynote on the impact of accelerating trends. What a bunch of foolishness!
We live in the most extraordinary of times, with so much coming together all at once that the potential impact is truly staggering. As I describe in one of my keynote descriptions: “Self-driving cars, 3d printing, crowdfunding, the sharing economy, blockchains, personal drones, swarmbots, smart dust, vertical farms, Internet of Things, cognitive computing, smart factories, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, quantum computing, intelligent farms, smart clothing! What seemed to be science fiction just a few short years ago has become a reality today, as time compresses and the future accelerates. George Jetson lived in the future, but the future is here now.” Don’t limit your thinking – in terms of what you can accomplish, or what you think you can do. That can indeed be the worst possible thing you can do!
Daily Inspiration: “Wisdom is wonderful!”
“Wisdom is wonderful!” – Futurist Jim Carroll
It’s Seniors Opening Day at my golf club! I have a 9:30am tee time! I’m a Senior!
Who would have thought, but our seniors league is for those 55+. I’ll be out this morning with some wonderful gentlemen, some in their late 70’s and early 80’s. We’ve even got a fellow who is 94 playing in the event: he apparently remarried a few years ago because he wanted a companion in his life. (She was a younger woman, in her 80’s.) Some of these fellows will walk the entire course; some will carry their bags. One fellow I golfed with last year has been golfing for 65 years!!!! They are, each and every moment, an inspiration and a joy! I will try not to embarrass myself – if I bring my A-game, I will be able to keep up with them.
There is a lot we can learn from those who have been there before us, and I think we often forget that. There’s no doubt that the younger generation of today is redefining industries, disrupting business models, and accelerating change through technology. 1/2 of the world population is under the age of 25!
And yet, we can gain invaluable insight from those of the ‘greatest generation’ – individuals who built up our world from the post-war economy; who accomplished the unimaginable; who saw the future and pursued it. As John McCain lives through his final days, we should be in awe of the wisdom he offers us even as he struggles.
I’ll have a chance to golf with a few of my senior friends today. I’ll listen carefully to their stories, work to understand their insight, and ensure that their wisdom too becomes a part of the wisdom that I offer on stage!
Daily Inspiration: “Innovation often consists of moments of brilliance interrupted by crushing instances of failure!”
“Innovation often consists of moments of brilliance interrupted by crushing instances of failure!” – Futurist Jim Carroll
After two highly successful keynotes Sunday and Tuesday, I golfed yesterday.
And I had a great round, playing to my handicap. In fact, parts of my game were the strongest I have seen in a while. On the other hand….. there were a few less than stellar moments. ….. So … think about golf and innovation.
This particular quote actually came to my mind when my personal trainer mentioned the phrase ‘moments of brilliance’ when referring to my ability to follow instructions, followed by my ability to drift away in thought.
Then, it floated back into my mind during my round later that day. It defines golf for the typical amateur! The voyage into golf is a wonderful metaphor for the concept of innovation on so many different levels. Failure, risk, reward, experimentation, curiosity and so much more. Yet even successful innovators have seen crushing failure along the way. This particular photo is from my keynote for the PGA of America – the 2nd time they had me to headline an event. Lee Trevino was on stage just before me, and I was followed later by Bubba Watson. You can’t tell me that both of these world champions have not been through the same process of innovation with their game as found within the quote!
What will you do today to develop an overall goal of innovation, knowing that the path there will involve a lot of up and downs? In my case, I’m grabbing a set of headphones later and will go and spend 2 hours at the short game area!
Daily Inspiration: “Your ability to align to the fast paced trends of today will define your success tomorrow!”
“Your ability to align to the fast paced trends of today will define your success tomorrow!” – Futurist Jim Carroll
I regularly do a series of text message polls when I’m working with my audience; people respond using their smartphones. My first question, after I spend a few minutes freaking people out about the speed of change in our world today, asks people to rate how they feel about the fast paced future.
Look at the results on the screen – most people are not confident about their ability to deal with the future. The responses here are typical of almost every single audience I’ve had when doing this particular poll ****for the last 9 years!**** Yet, we know that success comes from the ability to ingest and align to trends – your ability to adapt to the future and turn it into opportunity will define you. Which is why you need to spend time to understand the context and implication of those trends.
What will you do today to find a particular trend that will have a major impact on you — and what decision will you make to be a part of that trend, rather than simply watching the trend go by?
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