FUTURE CONFERENCE

• joint start into a new future
• bundling the forces of an organisation
• mobilising self-initiative and motivation.

The future conference as a platform for developing the vision and the objectives of an entire organisation.

Implementing significant change requires a group of staff members who all pull in the same direction. We need people with the same objectives, cooperating effectively and independently of departmental and divisional boundaries, and who are motivated to put the planned measures and improvements into practice. In other words, we need concentrated energy.

During a future conference, a relatively large group (up to 80 people) plan their common future. The participants conduct an intensive dialogue, assess the current situation from numerous perspectives, agree on common objectives and commit themselves to the consensual measures.

Future conferences have been used with great success in the most differing areas: in organisations and companies, and wherever several organisations and groups have a common theme, e.g. marketing, statutory regulations, environment, security etc. A major strength of the future conference lies in the fact that even groups with differing interests can be brought together under the umbrella of the common objectives.

Problems are depressing, attractive future perspectives create a "desire for the future" and generate energy for their implementation. Future conferences also lay the problems of the current situation on the table; however, these do not become the sole yardstick for planning. Future conferences develop inspiring images of the future which are ultimately summarised in commonly supported objectives. This creates a desire to actually act.

In six work steps, participants examine the past as well as the external and internal reality. Images of the future are then developed and enacted in a creative manner, common objectives found and, finally, measures planned. The individual steps are carefully thought out and tested, each step having a cognitive (information-generating) and an affective (mobilising) effect. In addition, the emotional growing-together of the conference participants is encouraged.

Fundamental steps of the future conference:
Step 1: Look back over our history - Where have we come from?
Step 2: The present, trends - What developments can we expect? What are we already doing?
Step 3: The present, pride and regret - What are we proud of? What do we regret?
Step 4: Vision - What should our future look like?
Step 5: Common objectives - Where do we agree?
Step 6: Planning measures - Planning concrete steps into the future in mixed action teams.

Material and emotional benefit A common strategic orientation instead of numerous, uncoordinated, individual projects
Planning concrete measures
Networking the organisation and the entire knowledge
Activating the creativity and energy of the entire system
Strengthening self-initiative and enthusiasm, team spirit and the "We" feeling.

"People work for money, they commit themselves to an idea."

Results:
Long-term plans with a high commitment to their implementation
Partnerships beyond the boundaries of sections and divisions
Integrated networks of groups performing similar tasks separately from one another
People who really commit themselves to an idea.

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