 Issue No.14 |
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Dear Client, Planning for the future is essential for success. Even for the best leader teams this can be a daunting and difficult process, made tougher by the current economic climate. At Cognosis we know how much it can help clients to consider different scenarios and plan for them accordingly, making the future less intimidating. This month Duncan Campbell, Senior Manager at Cognosis gives his Top Ten Tips for planning for the future. In this edition we also feature Cognosis’ recent event ‘Managing Change and Challenge’ and announce our involvement in the Drinks Business Awards that will be held this month at the London International Wine Fair. We have another breakfast briefing at the end of the month, ‘Back from the Brink’, where our guest speaker will be Phil Parnell, CEO of Drambuie. If you would like to attend this event please contact marketing@cognosis.co.uk You may notice that we have given Ignite a bit of a re-fresh this spring. We would be very grateful to hear your feedback- as ever, we’re listening. Best wishes, 
Richard Brown, Managing Partner |
Smarter Scenarios - Top Ten TipsBy Duncan Campbell |
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The continuing uncertainty around recession and recovery has sparked renewed client enthusiasm for scenarios. Three things we can say with certainty about the future: it will be different from the past, it will have surprises in store, and organisations will be caught out by their failure to anticipate, prepare for and respond to change. |
Scenarios help leader teams engage with the future. Done well, they help them ‘rehearse’ alternative futures, anticipate change, and plan in ways that help them respond more flexibly when times turn tough – they’re a great tool in the strategist’s toolkit. But here’s the problem: scenarios are harder to do well than they are to do badly! Too many scenario projects end in failure – we estimate 70%+ – a consequence of muddled thinking, poor process and low engagement. It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are our top tips for smarter scenarios. |
1. Understand current realities - Start by understanding the forces that are shaping – and have shaped – your market. Unless scenarios are grounded in past and present realities they lack realism and meaning 2. Be clear about the purpose - Our approach, Future View, is not about forecasting, but exploring intelligent scenarios to help identify opportunities and stimulate better decisions 3. Ensure broad involvement - Draw information from a broad range of sources – Integrate different thought leaders from across the business and ensure output is pushed deep into the organisation Click here to read therest of the tips |
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Cognosis Event - “Managing Change and Challenge” |
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On the 27th April, Cognosis hosted a breakfast briefing that examined the skills a leader needs to ensure they are harnessing the power of functional conflict to drive their organisation forward. Dr Kevin Money, Associate Professor at Henley Business School and Director of the John Madejski Centre for Reputation. Cognosis worked with Kevin on the development of our Edge research, where his role was to ensure our research was academically rigorous without losing sight of the need for practical relevance. |
One of the main themes of Kevin’s talk was that of conflict and how we can turn conflict from being dysfunctional to effective and the practicalities of doing this. He also considered the importance of belonging and how this affects conflict between groups. Please click here to listen to some of Kevin’s insight and see selected stimulus material from the event. |
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The Drinks Business Awards |
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In the January edition of Ignite, we announced that Cognosis has been selected as ‘The Drinks Business’ Thought Leader Partners for 2010- recognising our experience and forward thinking in the international drinks industry.  |
We are delighted to announce that Richard Brown has been chosen to be a member of the Drinks Business Awards judging panel and judging the entries in the ‘Responsible Drinking Message’ and ‘Independent Retailer of the Year’ categories. Click here to read more about the Awards and Cognosis’ involvement
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Cognosis News |
Forthcoming Events |
Recent Press Coverage |
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This month, we are pleased to welcome two new additions to the company: David Cowser joins the firm as a Senior Manager having previously worked for Accenture Amandeep Deol joins as a Consultant following her time as an intern Please join us in extending a warm welcome to them all. In addition, following a three month introduction to the firm, Tom Gibbs has been promoted to Senior Consultant. |
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The Drinks Business, The Spirits Business, The Spirits Business, Edge, The Drinks Business, |
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For further information on future events and seminars please contact Marketing - marketing@cognosis.co.uk |