advise for young (aspiring) futurists

Advise for young (aspiring) futurists

@fdemeyer

frederic@i4fi.com

fredericdemeyer.com

Instituteforfutureinsights

fdemeyer

What does a futurist really do?

What my friends thinks I do… What my mother thinks I do… What my wife thinks I do…

What I think I’m doing

(well, what I’m actually doing)

…if you too want to become a boiling frog a futurist, remember this:

#1: you will have to read a(n awful) lot

#2: you will have to read even

more…

#3: you will have to get very

efficient in looking for evidence

#4: you’ll have to (constantly)

look for patterns and links

#5: you’ll have to (constantly)

ask yourself “what does it mean?”

#6: you’ll have to build a (strong,

preferably controversial) opinion

• “In 20 years we will all be freelancers”

• “The role of government will become obsolete in 50 years”

• “Sustainable future will be driven by population, not government(s)”

"Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value." Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Professor of Strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers” Thomas Watson (IBM) 1943

“640k ought to be enough for anybody” Bill Gates, 1981

#7: you’ll need to get out of your

paradigm (and comfort zone)

#8: communicate… extensively,

exhaustively, relentlessly!

Write articles for media friends

+240K views +900 downloads

Slideshare works

Blogs still work (for now)

Special mention…

Usual suspects

#9: look for role models (but

remain yourself)

#10: you’ll have to offer things for

free

#11: …but not everything, find

things people would pay for

60 Megatrend Fact Sheets

(briefing document for long-term planning and innovation sessions)

@fdemeyer

frederic@i4fi.com

fredericdemeyer.com

Instituteforfutureinsights

fdemeyer

#12: be patient… (after all you’re

selling long-term impact)

2 years lead time

My first client…

#13: …and get a plan B

my business plan

with freelance

my real business

But most of all…

#14: Enjoy what you do… You have chosen the most wonderful job in the world !

The future cannot be predicted …but it can be made !

(ancient African saying)

@fdemeyer

frederic@i4fi.com

fredericdemeyer.com

Instituteforfutureinsights

fdemeyer

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