Profound.
What got you here
Will not get you there
It is true. The future is not a linear progression of the past. Pathways will be different. Many stepping stones will be unique. Others were conceived, developed, introduced and implemented in recent times. Among those are the iPhone, cloud computing, extensive 3D production, and generative artificial intelligence.
What does the future hold?
Expertise and experience gathered over a lifetime career, a product lifecycle, or a company’s history will need to be adaptable. Market-fit will be as pertinent as difference.
Intellectual property has increasingly been democratised by social media, technology, and lateral thinking, applied through countless channels and means. Therefore, a crafted driving force will be needed to orchestrate, collate, monitor and effectively manage inputs.
INTEGRATE, INGRATIATE
Self-determination will be a fundamental ingredient in future success.
One reassuring dimension gleaned from the statement above is the recognition of the present state and positioning.
Many strategic plans are deficient because of little or no sensitivity to the starting point.
Determining an endpoint, destination, or goal will need to be ensured, concluding such, without having a concrete starting point, which will be essential in addressing the need and means required for progression and attainment of the true north.
NEXT STEP
Purpose.
An appropriate initial step will be to review and possibly reset the True North.
That will necessitate redefining and redocumenting the higher-order corporate purpose, philosophy, values, aim, and mission.
This is collectively an immense and important set of tasks that will contribute to and ensure cohesion and integration in pursuit of the ideals embraced, endorsed, and pursued. Alignment and integration will be imperative for attaining and sustaining momentum and critical mass. So too will discipline, structure and universal understanding of all team members and relevant stakeholders.
The second essential phase will address the entity’s need for access to and control over resources. These will include people, systems, technology (past, current and pending), supply chains, networks, communication channels and platforms.
Simplicity itself will add to productivity and, therefore, to optimal costs and attractive, competitive standing.
LET ME REITERATE
Recite the statement:
What got you here
Will not get you there
Refer to the figurative and literal compass. Establish ground zero. Then, focus on True North. You’re now ready to advance (hopefully, with one word firmly set in your mind) – NEW
Barry Urquhart
Business Strategist
Marketing Focus
M: 041 983 5555
E: [email protected]
W: www.marketingfocus.net.au
COMMENTARY: SUBSIDISED DEMAND
Dependence is a disarming, subservient reality for many businesses, products, services and concepts.
A lack of independence and choices compromises satisfaction, fulfilment, and control.
Assert yourself.
VISUALISE. VOCALISE. VALIDATE. LIKE. SHARE.
by Barry Urquhart – (c) 2026.
Read Time: 3 minutes.
About the Author.
Barry Urquhart is a highly regarded market research and strategic planning consultant, recognised throughout Australasia for his insight, clarity, and thought leadership. A seasoned keynote speaker at premier conferences, Barry is also the acclaimed author of Serves You Right! And Service Please!, two of the region’s top-selling titles on customer service excellence.
Respected as a trusted voice in business strategy, Barry continues to lead influential workshops and development programs that help organisations drive sustainable growth, elevate service culture, and achieve competitive distinction.
For Media Enquiries or Speaking Engagements:
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +61 041 983 5555
