This paper seeks to provide a solution to organizations attempting to adapt to unpredictable, accelerated change in the twenty‐first century.
It is written in two parts, to be published in issues 1 and 2 of this journal in February and April of 2007, respectively.
In Part 1 the solution suggested to adapting to change is the adoption of an individual and organizational mind‐set that anticipates and molds change rather than one that continually adapts to linear, sequential change initiatives. This premise is based on the assumption that the best way to adapt to change is to create it! This mind‐set is defined as creative adaptation. The model corresponding to this mind‐set is the FuturePerfect Organization. The initiatives of the FuturePerfect model have been adopted to varying extents by leading‐edge organizations in various industries. The two inseparable initiatives that are common to the implementation of all five FuturePerfect initiatives are diversity and cooperation.
The results of an analysis of these organizations confirm not only the emerging paradigm of teaming, collaboration, and cross‐functional knowledge management, but also the integration of knowledge, people, and cooperation.
Given the rate of new emerging paradigms (a few years) successful organizations will have to more rapidly adapt or even anticipate (quantum‐thinking) future transformation in organizational operation.
The FuturePerfect Model provides the most powerful and practical way of adapting to the unpredictable, accelerated change of the twenty‐first century. It also shows that global cultural compatibility is a critical necessity for the success of businesses operating throughout the world.
