FutureSearch _{by distil} is a collaborative program that assists business, NGO's, public sector, communities and business clusters (and the people therein) to rapidly transform their capability for effective action.

It is based on two fundamental concepts:

(1) The answers don't just lie with the leaders or consultants but rather with all stakeholders.

(2) It is only through giving stakeholders a chance to have their say and come to agreement on the desired future that they will be fully engaged to implement the agreed action.

Once a need is established and detailed planning conducted, a full range of stakeholders (wherever possible) are brought together in a highly planned and structured session to discuss their past, present and desired future and, through dialogue, discover their common ground.  Only once this had been achieved do they then make concrete action plans.

The process relies on mutual learning amongst stakeholders as a catalyst for voluntary action and follow-up. People devise new forms of cooperation that continue for months or years!

The range of applications that FutureSearch _{by distil} has been and can be used for is endless. Just a sample include:

• Macquarie University Sport & Recreation (Strategic planning)
• Macquarie University (Developing a World Class Sports Management Academic Program)
• Sri Lankan Cricket Team (Team building)
• Ikea (Systems redesign)
  
• Irish Soccer Cluster (Creating a more effective soccer industry)
• Ryde Council (Creating an economic development strategy with buy-in and engagement)
• City of Sydney (Creating organisational and community wellbeing in Sydney City Edge)
  

See more examples in our Case Studies.

The Process

First and foremost, we establish the needs and requirements of our client. Our process then covers:

Stage 1: Consultation – precedes any work and ensures benefits will accrue
Stage 2: Preparation – includes identification of purpose, stakeholder groups, Planning Group members and 2 Planning Group meetings
Stage 3: FutureSearch Planning Event
Stage 4: Implementation – includes report and action
Stage 5: Monitor & Adjust – first 3 monthly phone sessions & first quarterly review session

FAQs for Organisations