CHAPTER 6Is Future Search for You?

A few years ago we were asked to help develop an “intellectual property” strategy in a firm with patents about to expire. We were told that they were “ready to go” with Future Search. We met with a steering committee from key departments—engineering, product development, marketing, and legal, which sent two patent lawyers. They talked about how their brands might be at risk and what they needed from a Future Search. Many became excited and by lunchtime we had a potential stakeholder list.

After lunch the patent attorneys opened up with what they had sat on all morning: they were too busy for this and came to the meeting only as a courtesy to the executive who called it. Besides, wasn’t this a matter for experts? ...

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