This essay outlines some of the crucial points to be taken into consideration by futurists‐in‐training in order to avoid the many mistakes which can be easily made. These comprise right timing, real participation, scenarios, developing a preferred vision of the future, using metaphors, using...

The 56th annual edition of the Alpbach European Forum (EAF), my first visit there in fifteen years, had as its theme “The Future: Experience, Experiment, Design”. The EAF consumes the second fortnight of August in the Tyrolean mountain community of Alpbach, a delightful village tucked away...

This paper attempts to provide a number of strategic reference points for individuals and organizations seeking a clearer view of the future. These reference points plot a course that starts with the surfacing of underlying philosophies and ends with the melding of foresight with strategy....

In his editorial earlier this year, “Measuring the art of the long view”, Colin Blackman wondered how we might evaluate the effectiveness of futures research. But are there any reliable measures? There’s certainly a case for accreditation and certification of futurists, but in the end...

Although the mortgage sector of the banking industry in the USA has seen good times in the recent past, the futures are uncertain. This article considers the nature of futures studies and applies futures analysis to the mortgage sector. The history of banking, and the USA, has been a struggle...

What does the future hold for Europe's ICT sector and how will the information society develop? This article provides a snapshot of the state of Europe's ICT sector and progress towards the information society. The article then considers the major trends and drivers of change shaping the...

In the 1990s, innovation in information and communication technologies (ICT) looked set to transform traditional publishing and media through more efficient production, new forms of distribution, the entry of new players and much greater choice for consumers. The Internet offered the prospect...

Purpose – To shape a futures agenda for future executives. Design/methodology/approach – Identifies and examines five future leadership foci: globality, technology, talent development and retention, innovation, and professional development and training. Findings – The position of CEO needs...

Purpose – To identify emerging education alternatives to traditional higher education. Design/methodology/approach – To survey and examine three types of alternative providers. Findings – To demonstrate that there are now at least two major providers of professional development in the...

Purpose – The war in Iraq raises questions about the global world order and this article aims to suggest the need for us to awaken to fresh thinking on the problems facing the world. Design/methodology/approach – A brief analysis of the global problematic is presented. Next, the article...