What if you could anticipate the futures — not with tarot cards or crystal balls, but with strategy? This Thursday at Community Breakfast, Republikken welcomed Mathias Behn Bjørnhof, a Strategic Foresight consultant and the founder of ANTICIPATE, to our Community Breakfast. His mission? To help organizations navigate uncertainty, not by predicting the futures, but by preparing for multiple possibilities.
From Anxiety to Anticipation
Let’s be honest—the futures can feel overwhelming. Climate change, AI revolutions, shifting global powers… it’s a lot. Mathias, however, urges us to shift our mindset. Instead of fearing what’s next, we should anticipate it. It’s about scanning ahead, identifying trends, and building strategies that make organizations more resilient.
Rather than offering predictions (sorry, stock traders!), Mathias focuses on scenarios—structured ways of thinking about what could happen. It’s a method used by the UN, the European Commission, and big businesses worldwide.
His work isn’t just about abstract theory. He shared real-world examples, like a Danish insurance company that used foresight strategies to adapt to industry shifts. The result? They pivoted their business model and even foresaw the impact of climate-driven disasters on insurance markets.
Who Calls a Futurist?
So, who actually hires a futurist? According to Mathias, it’s often organizations that have already faced disruption—think media, energy, or finance. Sometimes, it’s individuals inside companies who see changes coming but struggle to convince their colleagues. That’s where foresight tools come in: to align teams, challenge assumptions, and create shared visions of what’s ahead.
One surprising insight? There’s growing interest in foresight from Middle Eastern governments, eager to shape the future on their own terms. But Mathias remains firm on his values: foresight should be democratic. It’s not just about powerful leaders making plans—it’s about including people in decisions that shape their lives.
From Football to Foresight
Between discussing megatrends, geopolitics, and AI, Mathias also gave us a glimpse into his personal journey. He never planned to become a futurist. Originally, he wanted to be a diplomat (makes sense, given his interest in democracy). Instead, he found himself drawn to Strategic Foresight through a mix of curiosity, an internship, and, ironically, a failed university course in Spain.
Speaking of Spain, he’s also a devoted Real Madrid fan—a passion so strong it led him to study Spanish. Life works in mysterious ways!
Curious Minds Wanted
Mathias left us with a challenge: stay curious. The future isn’t something that just happens—it’s something we shape. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a policymaker, or just someone wondering what’s next, foresight thinking can help you navigate change.
And if you want to dive deeper? Mathias is always up for a chat—just come find him (or talk to him about football to break the ice).
Until next time, stay curious, Republikken!