Did This Pod's Guest Predict Omicron 6 Months Ago? Find Out!—"Don't Ask, 'What would I do in their shoes?'—Ask, 'What would they do in their shoes?'"—Anthropology, Predictions, and Experiments with Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM | Business Games S2 Week 5 Interview

Breaking News!A note about the new Omicron variant of Covid discovered in South Africa in November 2021.
We recorded this episode with Melissa in early 2021, a good 6 months before the news broke about the new variant B.1.1.529 that later got the name Omicron.
With Melissa, we talked about many things on predictions, the central topic being how she was one of the first within the business community to have predicted the coming pandemic.
We covered what a foresight professional should do, and how to predict the next pandemic—including some signs that she was monitoring in early-mid-2021 when she had concerns that there could be something else popping up in late 2021.
We put up this episode on Monday the 22nd November.
On Thursday the 25th, the news broke about the variant B.1.1.529.
Revisiting this episode, it is startling how ever more relevant the content is.
Now, normally, we only release full episodes to Premium Members.
This particular episode was available in full for almost a week now, and I communicated on social media that I'd be removing the full episode from the public feed.
If you want to hear the full episode, you can subscribe to Business Games Premium on http://www.business-games.ai/ (www.business-games.ai): Subscribe by clicking here: https://www.business-games.ai/about/#/portal (Business Games Premium)
You should also subscribe to our free newsletter if you want to learn more about making predictions in business, business strategy, and making better decisions under uncertainty. In content terms, you get: Premium >>> Newsletter > Free
Subscribe to PremiumFull transcripts of everything if you want to have notes or prefer reading + deep dives into selected topics.
Subscribe by clicking here: https://www.business-games.ai/about/#/portal (Business Games Premium)
Show NotesHow could Melissa know the pandemic was coming before most? How to read weak signals. How does anthropology help in forecasting? How did Melissa predict the pandemic-related collapse of seaports in the US? What should your board understand about strategy? How is prediction like experimentation? We cover all this and more in this episode.
Last interview, we discussed Corporate experimentation with Dawie Olivier.
Next interview, we cover SME and solopreneur sector experimentation with Ashlee Berghoff MBA.
Contents (time stamps from the Full version)Introduction [00:00]
On Predicting the Pandemic: Habitats, Mammals, Climate Change, Patterns, and Weak Signals [02:47]
On Linking Forecasting and Experimentation, Chess as an Analogy for Strategy, Anthropology, Culture as the Basis for Business Moves, Creative Writing and Analytics [17:24]
On Where to Play, How to Win [27:30]
On Business Model Innovation versus Tech Innovation [28:40]
On Strategy Versus Strategic Planning [39:01]
On Experiments at the Board Table [46:24]
The Homework: Read Widely, Capture and Review Signals [56:52]
Own Work of Melissa as It Relates to Experiments, Signals, and Subscription Services [1:10:53]
On Covid, Ports, and Behaviour [1:13:35]
Links to Melissa’s Workhttps://twitter.com/HoneyBeeGeek (@HoneyBeeGeek) https://twitter.com/HoneyBeeGeek (https://twitter.com/HoneyBeeGeek)
Some Other Links Mentionedhttps://www.zuora.com/ (Subscription Management and Recurring Revenue Solutions | Zuora)
https://stratechery.com/ (Stratechery)
https://hbr.org/2012/09/your-strategy-needs-a-strategy (Your Strategy Needs a Strategy | HBR)
https://www.bcg.com/publications/collections/your-strategy-needs-strategy/intro (Your Strategy Needs a Strategy | BCG)
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Strategy-Needs-Execute-Approach/dp/1531836216 (Your Strategy Needs a Strategy: How to Choose and Execute the Right Approach | Amazon)
https://platformchronicles.substack.com/ (Platform Chronicles | Substack)...

Breaking News!

A note about the new Omicron variant of Covid discovered in South Africa in November 2021.

We recorded this episode with Melissa in early 2021, a good 6 months before the news broke about the new variant B.1.1.529 that later got the name Omicron.

With Melissa, we talked about many things on predictions, the central topic being how she was one of the first within the business community to have predicted the coming pandemic.

We covered what a foresight professional should do, and how to predict the next pandemic—including some signs that she was monitoring in early-mid-2021 when she had concerns that there could be something else popping up in late 2021.

We put up this episode on Monday the 22nd November.

On Thursday the 25th, the news broke about the variant B.1.1.529.

Revisiting this episode, it is startling how ever more relevant the content is.

Now, normally, we only release full episodes to Premium Members.

This particular episode was available in full for almost a week now, and I communicated on social media that I'd be removing the full episode from the public feed.

If you want to hear the full episode, you can subscribe to Business Games Premium on www.business-games.ai: Subscribe by clicking here: Business Games Premium

You should also subscribe to our free newsletter if you want to learn more about making predictions in business, business strategy, and making better decisions under uncertainty. In content terms, you get: Premium >>> Newsletter > Free

Subscribe to Premium

Full transcripts of everything if you want to have notes or prefer reading + deep dives into selected topics.

Subscribe by clicking here: Business Games Premium

Show Notes

How could Melissa know the pandemic was coming before most? How to read weak signals. How does anthropology help in forecasting? How did Melissa predict the pandemic-related collapse of seaports in the US? What should your board understand about strategy? How is prediction like experimentation? We cover all this and more in this episode.

Last interview, we discussed Corporate experimentation with Dawie Olivier.

Next interview, we cover SME and solopreneur sector experimentation with Ashlee Berghoff MBA.

Contents (time stamps from the Full version)Introduction [00:00]On Predicting the Pandemic: Habitats, Mammals, Climate Change, Patterns, and Weak Signals [02:47]On Linking Forecasting and Experimentation, Chess as an Analogy for Strategy, Anthropology, Culture as the Basis for Business Moves, Creative Writing and Analytics [17:24]On Where to Play, How to Win [27:30]On Business Model Innovation versus Tech Innovation [28:40]On Strategy Versus Strategic Planning [39:01]On Experiments at the Board Table [46:24]The Homework: Read Widely, Capture and Review Signals [56:52]Own Work of Melissa as It Relates to Experiments, Signals, and Subscription Services [1:10:53]On Covid, Ports, and Behaviour [1:13:35]Links to Melissa’s Work@HoneyBeeGeek https://twitter.com/HoneyBeeGeekSome Other Links MentionedSubscription Management and Recurring Revenue Solutions | ZuoraStratecheryYour Strategy Needs a Strategy | HBRYour Strategy Needs a Strategy | BCGYour Strategy Needs a Strategy: How to Choose and Execute the Right Approach | AmazonPlatform Chronicles | SubstackWhen Data Creates Competitive Advantage | HBRThe New Zealand Institute of DirectorsIoD Company Directors' CourseSubscribe to Premium

Full transcripts of everything if you want to have notes or prefer reading + deep dives into selected topics.

Subscribe by clicking here: Business Games Premium