New book ...

I am very pleased that my work on "Developing Leaders in a Global landscape" has just been published in Linkage Inc's "Best Practice in Leadership Development".

2009 Trends Map

From the Top Trends blog .... a fascinating visualisation of the world's possible futures.

"Here, at last, is my 2009 trend blend map. Here’s how it works. The main body of the map contains the mega-trends. These are, in no particular order:

• Global connectivity
• Anxiety
• Volatility
• Uncertainty
• Debt
• Power shift Eastwards
• Ageing
• GRIN technologies
• Digitalisation
• Climate change
• Sustainability

There are then eight arms, which represent the following sectors or areas:

• Society
• Technology
• Economy
• Environment
• Politics
• Business
• Family
• Media

The circles (or disc-like suckers in giant octopus speak) on each arm are the sector trends and the size of he circle is related to the likely impact of the trend over the next twelve months or so. Finally, there is a selection of global risks, some of which are deadly serious and some of which are not. Then again, everything is subjective. Some people might regard EMF radiation as a more serious global risk than Nicole Kidman winning another Oscar but I’m not so sure. Enjoy! ☺

PS - The map will appear at nowandnext.com under ‘trend maps’ shortly and will also have a hyperlink attached to it within 24-hrs.

Open net∞WORKing Organizations

From 21st Century Organizations by Jenny Ambrozec

"Earlier this year colleague Victoria Axelrod and I invited contributions to an article for Indian based Effective Executive Magazine and were deeply appreciative of the long list of valuable contributions received. That article is now published and a PDF of our co-generated piece posted here.

From our experience, and sifting the wisdom from our networks, 10 Critical Dimensions emerged as essential to shifting thinking, language and action of connected businesses operating interconnected globally and locally. Your thoughts and insights around this list are welcomed.

Net∞WORK Thinking and Acting

1. Organizations Function As Complex Network Webs

2. Work Gets Done Through Individual Networks

3. Knowledge Is Created Through Individual Interactions"

Read the rest of the article ....

Sustainable Globalization - A 2008 Resolution

From the 21st Century Organization blog, by Victoria G. Axelrod

"Sutainable Globalization is not an oxymoron. In the last few days of finishing a book chapter on globalization it occurred to me that I have spent close to two years thinking, writing and consulting about the antiseptic "silicon" world while the "carbon" world has been grinding along half way around the planet, namely China.

The New York Times ran a photo journal series on China - Choking on Growth which causes flashbacks to the US and other developed nations "industrial revolution". China is not alone as other developing nations, India and Mexico, are keeping pace. We in the US complain about off-shoring, however what many do not realize is that by sending our manufacturing elsewhere we have also off-shored our environmental issues. But the chickens are coming home to roost. We only inhabit one planet.

"Corporate social integration" as Michael Porter reinvents the term corporate social responsibility has the unique capability to resolve the "tension between business and society." Imagine leap frogging the 20th century industrial wastes in China by understanding that "business and society are interdependent."

Read the rest of the article ...