C-8 Wiser Futures: Using Futures Tools to Better Understand and Create the Future
Thursday, July 8, 2010
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.How this new knowledge can be applied: Participants can use the skills learned to monitor trends, design and use scenarios, and apply futures techniques to develop a better vision and strategies for a preferred future for their organizations.Futures tools give organizations the power not only to understand what may happen in the future, but also to create the futures they perfer. Pioneers in the use of scenarios and other futures tools for developing strategy and vision, the Institute for Alternative Futures will offer a “Wiser Futures” workshop. This workshop serves as an introduction to the field of futures studies, as well as a chance to learn from experience using futures techniques to help nonprofits, governments, corporations, and communities better create their preferred futures. You will gain experience using specific futures tools, such as forecasts, scenarios, and visions, as well as practical advice on using these tools to enhance learning and effective decision making. You will see how the aspirational futures approach can transform organizations. This is a highly interactive workshop where participants work in teams to use the tools that are introduced. Every participant receives a sourcebook of tools and examples of successful futures work. This workshop will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to use futures tools in your own planning and strategy development.
Who should attend: This course is especially valuable for individuals with responsibility for foresight and strategic planning, as well as leaders of organizations who want new frameworks for thinking about change. Previous attendees have come from associations, government agencies, small businesses, large corporations, and the military.
What you’ll learn: Experienced practitioners will provide their wisdom and hands-on experience in identifying trends, developing forecasts, creating stimulating scenarios, and discovering powerful visions for an organization. The course provides an introductory overview to the techniques that IAF considers essential to visionary and effective strategic planning.
Clem Bezold, chairman of the board and founder of the Institute for Alternative Futures (IAF) and its for-profit subsidiary, Alternative Futures Associates (AFA). Dr. Bezold established IAF in 1977 to encourage "Anticipatory Democracy." In 1982, he started AFA to assist corporations in their strategic planning. Trained as a political scientist, he has been a major developer of foresight techniques, applying futures research and strategic planning methods in both the public and private sectors. As a consultant, Dr. Bezold has worked with a large variety of successful and growing corporations as well as governments and nonprofit organizations. He has designed numerous workshops and projects to study future environments in a wide range of fields, including health care, law and the courts, the environment, genomics, and science and technology.
Eric Meade, vice president for Business Development, Institute for Alternative Futures, Alexandria, Virginia; he has been instrumental in projects for AARP, the U.S. Army Medical Department, and numerous corporate clients through IAF’s for-profit subsidiary; former nuclear submarine officer, U.S. Navy; former toy industry executive in China, he has extensive knowledge and experience in marketing, manufacturing and toy safety; member of the World Future Society.
$200 members/$250 nonmenbers Register Now
World Future Society
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 450
Bethesda, MD 20814 U.S.A.
Tel: 301/656-8274 • Fax: 301/951-0394 • E-mail:
sechard@wfs.org
