Defogging the Crystal Ball

Although we live in a rapidly evolving world, many of the changes associated with this evolution can be anticipated with the proper analysis. Typically, significant social, economic and political changes fit general patterns, or megatrends, that change less rapidly. The different ways that societies respond to tomorrow's challenges are predictable with varying degrees of certainty. To ensure survival and healthy growth, corporations must recognize and convert these anticipated responses into business opportunities by developing appropriate roadmaps and research projects well ahead of time. The risk of not following such a portfolio strategy is petrifaction and obsolescence of products, and potential displacement by more agile companies.