Destination Z: The History of the Future [Paperback]

Robert Baldock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 16, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0471861618 | ISBN-13: 978-0471861614 | Edition: 1

Destination Z The History of the Future "Success in business today demands a deeper and more flexible mindset to try and understand the changes taking place in global and local economies, often as a result of technology. Rob Baldock's meteoric career as a consultant to many different companies has placed him in a unique position. His book gives valuable insights into the causes and effects of change and stimulates the reader to construct better plans to prosper in an uncertain but exciting world." Keith Oates, formerly Deputy Chairman of Marks & Spencer "Baldock paints a deliberately uncomfortable picture of what could happen under each of the scenarios. These visions do set the synapses sparking, and he succeeds in making each environment seem very plausible. But where he really scores through his musings about the future is bringing the present into sharper relief. So what's the best way to plan for these future scenarios? Destination Z is a book designed to make you think, not give you answers." Information Week, January 1999 "The world of business is being transformed before our eyes as giants fall and new ventures skyrocket, driven by explosive technological change, an integrated volatile global economy and new ways of competing. Rob Baldock provides an illuminating and insightful guide to this confusing landscape of the future of business." Peter Schwartz, Chairman, Global Business Network "Rob Baldock paints a daunting picture for business in the future . but don't despair, he does provide a robust recipe for making the most of the challenges that lie ahead . recomended reading!" George Trumbull, Chief Executive Officer, AMP Ltd

Editorial Reviews

Review

"His exposition is clear and concise, his writing elucidated with examples and laced with humour. This book is more than selling ideas: it is selling you a vision of the future." (Changi International, Singapore) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Language Notes

Text: German, English

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Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 16, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471861618
• ISBN-13: 978-0471861614
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,754,612 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great springboard for starting to look ahead 5+ years?, March 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Destination Z: The History of the Future (Hardcover)

This is an absobing and informative book that applies scenario planning to peer ahead viewing the consumer and the supplier as the primary engines of change. The author paints a provocative picture of five possible scenarios: (1) the consumer is in control and suppliers are competing for their business; (2) suppliers have formed Keiretsu-style network alliances; (3) large, vertically integrated companies competing for local market share; (4) specialized suppliers, excelling in their core competencies concerning process rather than product, while outsourcing all else; and (5), a scenario that assumes political and social disaster plunging the world economy into havoc.

To deal with the uncertainties of tomorrow, Baldock recommends companies develop robust strategies, keep in a constant state vigilant awareness for early warning signs, and create future-oriented, wide-angle thinking management teams. If you are trying look ahead 5+ years, this book is a superb springboard.

To make "Destination Z" yet more meaningful, you may want to complement it by reading "Learning From the Future," Liam Fahey and Robert M., Randall, editors to provide additional insight into using scenario learning and planning.

Baldock has written an outstanding book that will benefit all who are engaged in strategic planning and be of interest to anyone with a lust for finding out what lies ahead in the world of economics and business. Gerry Stern, Founding Partner, HRconsultant.com and Stern & Associates.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Terribly Original But Nevertheless Immensely Useful, July 31, 2000

By 

Azlan Adnan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Destination Z: The History of the Future (Paperback)

In recent years, businesses have learnt to accept change as a permanent factor in their lives. But in order to survive in the next century, businesses must learn to think far more radically and be willing to accommodate yet more dramatic changes throughout their organisations. The past is no longer a reliable indicator of the future. The face of business today is virtually unrecognisable from that of 20 years ago. Robert Baldock forsees an even greater degree of change in the next five years, reflecting an acceleration in the process.

Innovatively written as if the author's suppositions are already history, the book presents five very different scenarios of the future of business, including a "wild card" which pushes predictions of the future to the boundaries of plausibility. Five very different scenarios-and yet elements of them are bound to transpire. Thinking about these outcomes can help managers to thrive in the emerging world of the future. To point you towards your own action plan the final chapter draws together lessons of the five scenarios and harnesses them into reliable strategies which will serve in any eventuality.

If your role is in management you must prepare for the unpredictable. Read this book before the future arrives.

Robert Baldock (1955- ) was, until recently, a global managing partner in Anderson Consulting, the management and technology consultancy, responsible for eCommerce, Customer Relationship Management and Mergers and Acquisitions within the Financial Services Industry. He led a team within Andersen's global financial services practice in developing a set of scenarios for the future of the financial services industry as well as an initiative looking at the future shape of the consumer serving industries. He is the author of The Last Days of the Giants?.

2.0 out of 5 stars Mildly interesting, however not really pushing the envelope, February 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Destination Z: The History of the Future (Hardcover)

I read Desitnation Z over the summer and found it wanting of real impact and being something different and new. The information is largely rehasing scenarios developed by other authors. Sorry to be so harsh, but with all of the other futurism floating around, this is not among the best of the bunch.