How to identify patterns of change to require you to think strategically
Usually, an outside event is first noticed by the younger members of your organization and they see a need to re-think the strategy. The work bottom-up to get the firm to adapt while the firm concentrates on its best customers, its high margin customers. This can create tension. How do you give the bottom-up idea a chance to gain support. The executives I worked with suggested:
| Bring in outsiders |
| Track trends being discussed at trade shows and industry meetings | 
| Network in trade associations for similar industries or in trade associations from other world regions | 
| Write stories about the likely scenarios |
| Listen to what they are telling customers |
| Study what the press and professors are discussing through an abstract service like ABI/INFORM |  |
Network with suppliers who serve you and your competitors | | |
The bar length indicates the most likely method for success. | |
