Hardin Tibbs

Hardin’s consulting work is carried out through Synthesys Strategic Consulting. Much of this work is on the boundary between researching the future and developing strategy. Most organizational thinking about the future simply reflects prevailing views in the media or elsewhere, very often failing to question basic assumptions or include a wide enough range of factors. And strategic thinking frequently suffers from a surprising lack of discipline and clarity – all too often decision-making groups veer away from asking searching questions to merely trading war stories.

The heart of organizational futures work involves bringing a more forensic approach to an organization’s existing strategy and its dependencies, and maintaining focused questioning when the future possibilities are being reviewed. The ideas that emerge can be mapped and diagrammed in various ways that clearly frame the decision or positioning issues. The research side of this involves both interviews and desk research, and the most direct mode of application is through facilitated discussions, often called ’strategic conversations.’ The aim here is to develop a group’s awareness of the field of relevant factors and how they interact, followed by generating and clarifying new concepts that can guide strategy formulation.

There are many formal tools and techniques that correspond to this work, including horizon scanning, trend watching, systems thinking, scenario planning, options development, visioning, strategic positioning, and tracking. Often though, the most effective work is done when these formal approaches are operating in the background, enabling breakthroughs to be achieved through insightful perception and creative thinking.

Hardin frequently gives presentations and keynotes on future-oriented topics, which can be directly related to an organization’s field of activity.  He is happy to respond on strategic or future-related questions or issues if you contact him directly.