Customer Reviews

Get There Early: Sensing the Future to Compete in the Present

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Whether you work at a corporation, non-for-profit or government agency, one of the biggest challenges facing any organization is planning for the future. At the heart of the planning process is educational guessing, which is most commonly known as forecasting. In his book Get There Early, Bob Johansen, former president and CEO of the Institute for the Future (IFTF), - (yes, such an organization does exist) - shares tactics developed at the IFTF to help organizations plot a future-road map. To that end, the book outlines five key drivers that establish the foundational context for what Johansen calls the "10-Year Forecast" that he believes will ultimately impact all of us. Additionally, the author uses examples from Apple, Wal-Mart, IBM and Disney to showcase how these organizations continue to stake claims far ahead of their competitors - recognizing future challenges and opportunities before others. Soundview recommends this book because of the compelling value it places on the process of forecasting itself, not necessarily the outcomes. Basically, a forecast doesn't have to be spot on to add value to an organization. The mere exercise of organizational hypothesizing can generate new strategies, approaches to problems and powerful insights. We predict you will like this book!

We cannot predict the future, but we can prepare for and possibly shape the outcomes. This is a really great book that conveys a process of "Foresight to Insight to Action" to make sense of, and to address possible futures. Further discussion about gleaning Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Agility in a world that is Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous is also helpful. Finally, an exploration of the difference between "problem solving" and "dilemma sense-making" is a key concept for a shift in thinking in how to mangage through the challenges that face us today, and in the future.

This book is very useful for those who must think strategically to lead their organizations. I have benefitted both personally and professionaly from the content of this book.

GET THERE EARLY: SENSING THE FUTURE TO COMPETE IN THE PRESENT provides a survey of techniques developed by the Institute for the Future, which has been refining such ideas for nearly forty years. It develops the Institute's three-step Foresight to Insight to Action cycle that allows readers to understand and navigate the world of dilemmas and problems, using simulation gaming and real-world problems to encourage innovative thinking and strategies. An excellent account, GET THERE EARLY is perfect for business collections appealing to business and community leaders.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This is a very readable book that demystifies "futurism" while simultaneously explaining how foresight work focused 10, 20, or even 50 years into the future can be indispensably helpful to organizations, whether profit-based or with other missions.

Inside the book jacket is an actual Map of the Future, which is explained in detail in the text.

If you're responsible for strategy or innovation, this is one of those few books that is undeniably worth the investment.


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Full disclosure: I'm affiliated with Institute for the Future, and know Bob.

Get There Early is an important book. In this age of volitility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, we all can use some help. Bob's clear explaination of the forces that will impact our children and grandchildren need to be understood. For companies trying to tackle sustainability, wellness, lack of leadership, poor decision-making and other top challenges, this should be required reading.

I've worked closely with Bob Johansen and IFTF for the last decade. This book is a wonderful summary of all the meetings, conversations, techniques, and forecasts - of all the things I've learned working with Bob. I've used all of these techniques and approaches - repeatedly. They work for me. They can work for you.
Tim Van Roekel - P&G

The book was fine but it took forever for it to arrive and therefore I didn't have the book in time for spring break to read it, so I had to go get a library book instead. What a waste of money.