The TIDES of Change

Five disruptive forces shaping the new world of work

The recent financial crisis has been more than just an economic downturn. Major shifts are taking place in almost every industry around the world as new rules for success and failure are written. History tells us that the major winners and losers of a recession actually emerge only in the aftermath of the downturn – as the upturn begins. We therefore need to prepare ourselves for a decade of turbulence as we live with the after shocks of the “Great Recession”.

This seminar is designed to provide insights into five disruptive forces that are set to change the world of work in the next decade. Besides these insights, the key outcome of the session is that participants understand the need to develop strategic responsiveness skills in their people at every level of the organisation. We do this by providing a framework to help you and your team analyze your context on an ongoing basis, and show you how to adapt to a constantly changing world.

The most successful companies in the next few years will be those that find ways to be strategically responsive. To do this, it is important that everyone – at every level of the organisation – has an understanding of the forces that will be shaping the next decade. Only then can they contribute meaningfully to your company’s success. You can develop these insights through regular analysis of your environment, strategic conversations throughout your organisation with all of your people, and helping each of them discover their personal role in achieving the company’s strategy. Their understanding of the strategic landscape is essential for problem solving, creativity, innovation and the proactive identification of opportunities and threats in your industry and market.

The five forces that will disrupt industries in the next decade are: Technology, Institutional upheaval, changing Demographics, the Environment and shifting Societal values. These are the T.I.D.E.S. of change.

This workshop includes well researched insights into the near future, packaged together with key trends, relevant and interesting facts, case studies and multi-media clips, and lots of opportunity for discussion. This session will provide the context necessary for you to set a strategic agenda that will ensure your success in the next decade. It has application for your organisation, your department and your personal career development.

It is a guaranteed paradigm shaker and conversation starter as you and your team develop your strategies. The content challenges commonly held assumptions about business and how the world works. Consequently, it invites strategic insights, understanding and discussion, and is laced with a practicality and a gently rebuking humour that makes it immediately applicable and keeps participants thoroughly engaged throughout.

Videos of us in action

Graeme presented After Shock at Confex in London in March 2010. It was part of a workshop and an early version of this presentation, focused on the events industry. It has been edited and made available as five YouTube videos:

• Part 1: Introduction and the impact of technology (especially user generated content)
  
• Part 2: Augmented reality
  
• Part 3: The impact of mobile technology and institutional change on the events industry in the next decade – leading to the important question of “what do your customers do with what they buy from you?”
  
• Part 4: The impact of changing demographics and environmental (“green”) issues on the new world of work – especially the events industry
  
• Part 5: The impact of shifting social values on the world of work in the next decade

Formats

This session can be delivered as a keynote presentation or strategic input, lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. We use full multimedia, laced with humour and relevant case studies. The keynote is adapted for each audience, and can be made industry-specific or function-specific in its application and focus.

The session can be delivered as a workshop, either half day or full day.

The session can be used in conjunction with our work on strategy (see “Beyond Strategy”), as part of a facilitated strategy development session. This would typically last one and a half days, and be overnight at an offsite venue. We use both appreciative enquiry and a ParticiPlan process to assist strategy development for companies or departments within companies.

Take Home Value

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand the five key drivers of disruptive change, and how these will impact their industry and their function within their company
  
• See clearly that this recession has not just been an economic downturn, but is a key change point in many of the rules for success in their industry
  
• Be motivated to think and act strategically
  
• Be inspired to think creatively about the future of their company and their department
  
• Know where competitive advantage is to be found in the next 3-5 years
  

Clients and Testimonials

We have presented this to numerous clients over a number of years – click here for our full client list or for testimonials we have received. We would be happy to connect you with any of our clients, so that you can hear about the programme directly from them – please contact us with this request if you would like to do so.

Recent clients have said the following about this specific programme:

“Graeme was participating to a global event delivery in Vienna, which we created to one of our clients. Throughout the whole process he has been enthusiastic and creative person adding value to our clients event. His role was a keynote speaker, but he certainly did put him self into delivering the perfect content matching the events objectives. Great eventROI including great marks from the participants! He is just very good.”
Mika Lehtinen, Troi Helsinki, for client: F-Secure

“I had the brilliant opportunity to be part of two of Graeme’s lectures here in Tallinn (07.10 and 08.10.2009). He is amazing speaker, who is able to connect with people. He delivers his message with ease and makes us remember that there is always ongoing change around us. Changing is our key to success in business as well as managing the state. His generation theories background enables to show it well.”
Kaur Lass, Juhatuse liige / CEO, OÜ Head

“Graeme has been one of the stars on The Academy for Chief Executives circuit for many years. His material is leading edge, his style is collaborative and involving and his results are first class, every time. I would put him in the top ten speakers on the planet.”
Phil Jesson, Chairman and Speaker Development Director, Academy for Chief Executives, UK

Download a summary of the slides

PDF versions of all of our presentations are available for download. Click here for the full list, and to download a summary of this presentation.

Links to resources

Listen to a recording of a radio interview with Peter Clayton of Total Picture Radio in the USA. The interview ended up stretching over two shows, and is now available online as a podcast (two 20-minute MP3 files): The T.I.D.E.S. of Change, Part One: Introduction and Technology, and then Part 2: What Do You Need to Know to Be an Winner in the New Normal?.

Our white papers library has numerous articles on future trends. The most important are:

• After Shock – this is a summary of the presentation, giving a lot of detail about the five disruptive forces.

• The recession isn’t your biggest problem
• Eight reasons why you should take ethical consumption more seriously
  
• Why Strategies Don’t Work
  
• Green shoots or stormy skies ahead?

The TomorrowToday team writes regularly on all these issues on their blog. Click here to go directly to the appropriate category at ConnectionEconomy.com.

Book us

Book one of our world-class speakers and business experts for your next company event, team meeting, away day or company conference. Note that Graeme Codrington is the primary presenter of After Shock.