Foresight

 

There are a select few leaders who have made their mark in history by changing the face of the industry – and in most cases, this privilege is reserved for those who have made a friend of foresight. A company that lacks the ability to predict the future is like a journey without destinations; a ship that becomes victim to the tides and winds that may steer it in any which way. It can only react on a change in the industry, and certainly never be at the forefront of change. Recognizing its importance, dedicated business leaders aim to educate themselves on the fine art of foresight. In Steve Jobs many have found the ultimate teacher.

Jobs based his decisions on a personal vision and yearning for a product line, instead of being guided by market research. “You can’t go out and ask people, you know, ‘What’s the next big thing?’ There’s a great quote by Henry Ford. He said.’ If I’d have asked my customers what they wanted, they would have told me. “A faster horse”’,” Jobs was quoted. His vision allowed the company to blow a hole in the market by delivering products that customers never knew they always wanted. Jobs’ genius ability to predict trends placed Apple light years ahead of its competitors.

When the iPad 2 launched on 11 March 2011, hot on the heels of the original, it was obvious that Apple’s competitors had squarely been beaten to the market. More significantly, they weren’t beaten on that day, but back in April 2003 when Jobs opened the iTunes Store.

“That new paradigm for selling digital software (initially music) broke ground on a whole new business model. It became the cornerstone of Apple’s focus on connected mobile devices,” writes Bill Dawson, Creative Director of XK9.

“When Apple introduced the iPhone in the Summer of 2007 the iTunes infrastructure was in place to support the device. There was also a loyal consumer base who loved Apple’s dominant media player, the iPod. iTunes, the application would connect and sync the iPhone to its owner’s computer just like the iPod. And the iTunes Store would allow consumers to download apps (many of them free) to use on their iPhones. Consumers were inclined to like it from the start; they knew that using the iPhone would be a familiar Apple-like experience.

Apple under Steve Jobs has become the leading force in consumer electronics. But it wasn’t overnight. Since 2003 Apple has been at work to build the components critical to its success. That eight years head start is what competitors must contend with.”

As a leadership figure the day-to-day functioning of your business needs your devotion – the importance of remaining with your finger firmly on that pulse cannot be dismissed. But it’s just as crucial that you spend enough time and energy on what will be bringing in the business a few years from now. Finding the balance between the compass and the clock means you need to make time for vision-focused activities among all the other urgent tasks you tend to. Even if they appear to be less urgent, the clock ticks faster than you think, so make sure it’s in tune with your compass.

Sources: Bill Dawson, BONES. March 2011. http://xk9.com/bones/jobs-foresight/.