Transforming Businesses with Anticipatory Strategies in the Age of AI

Right now, we are experiencing technological advancements at an unprecedented rate. From self-driving vehicles to generative AI like ChatGPT, our landscape as both business leaders and consumers is changing exponentially. In fact, I believe that change is too mild a term for the advancements in innovation we are seeing. Technological transformation is far more accurate.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, merely being agile in our approach to innovation is not enough to sustain an organization in any industry. As technology advances exponentially, our strategies for internal and external innovation must also evolve. Staying ahead of the competition requires anticipating future developments.

However, my process must also evolve with the times to help organizations and business leaders turn disruptions into innovative opportunities. For many years, I have used a three-step process to help clients become Anticipatory Organizations, and this approach remains highly relevant in the current climate of digital transformation and exponential change.

1. Always Begin with Certainty

This may sound counterintuitive, as the future often appears to be an ever-changing, unpredictable force, but many aspects of the future are certain. It is not impossible whatsoever to see what is certain about both your future and the future of the world outside your industry. You merely have to be willing to stop being reactionary.

It is that simple, and here is why:

All change moves in patterns, including changes in business. Cyclical change is exactly how it sounds — it occurs in cycles, creating a predictable circle that you can use to anticipate what comes next. For instance, it is inevitable that inflation and interest rates will rise, and recent trends confirm this increase. However, it is equally certain that they will eventually decline after reaching their peak.

On the other hand, Linear change is a pattern that does not repeat. This is an instance that will occur once, often transforming…