This document is a presentation given by Kaihan Krippendorff at the University of Hartford in February 2014. It discusses strategies for finding a "fourth option" beyond the obvious choices, using narratives from different cultures. Five narratives are described - moving early to the next battleground, coordinating the uncoordinated, forcing a two-front battle, being good, and creating something from nothing. For each, questions are provided to help apply the narrative to finding a new strategic option. [/SUMMARY]
Time collapsingmegaconference 9successaccelerationstrategies10-12-16
EO CT and University of Hartford Case Study
1. EO CT and
University of
Hartford
Hartford, CT
February 2014
Kaihan Krippendorff
www.outthinker.com
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
12. Martin Luther
King, Jr.
Rosa Parks
Mother
Teresa
Mahatma
Gandhi
Mohammad
Yunus
Margaret
Thatcher
www.kaihan.net
Nelson
Mandela
Benjamin
Franklin
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
13. Mark Zuckerberg
CEO, Facebook
Arianna Huffington
CEO, Huffington Post
Elon Musk
CEO, Tesla Motors
Susan Lyne
CEO, Gilt Groupe
Cory Booker
Mayor, Newark, NJ, USA
Marissa Mayer
CEO, Yahoo
Wayne Gattinella
CEO, WebMD
Robert Keane
Sabrina Herrera
Cofounder, Genomma Lab CEO, Vistaprint
Jeff Bezos
Founder, Amazon.com
Larry Page
CEO, Google
Ann Hand
CEO, Project Frog
www.kaihan.net
Josh Linkner
Founder, ePrize
Tom Adams
CEO, Rosetta Stone
Mark Vadon
Founder, Blue Nile
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
18. “First they ignore you,
then they laugh at you,
then they fight you,
then you win.”
Mohandas Gandhi
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
19. The
th
4
Option®
The option beyond the obvious choices;
the option others do not see, will not
consider, and will not respond effectively to.
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
21. How can we predictably
create a 4th Option®?
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
22. Two Standard Approaches
Option narrowing
Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
X
X
X
Lay out options,
apply data, arrive at
the optimal option
Alkdjfklsdlkj
Asdlkfj bou
Alsk boiuoidf
Goibjhkal dgs
Glijgbuu gds
gljgoiud
Follow proven rules
or best practices
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
23. Five Conversations:
The Outthinker Process
Imagine
Dissect
Expand
Analyze
Sell
Choose
leverage
points others
overlook
Generate
more
potential
strategies
Choose
strategies
competitors
will not copy
Build buy-in
from key
stakeholders
Objectives
Imagine and
commit to
realizing a
different
future
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
27. URBN Results
Growth
Profitability
5Y Ave.* Revenue CAGR (%)
5Y Ave.* EBITD Margin (%)
URBN
13
ANF**
5
Industry
5
20
12
14
* 5 years average as of October 2013
** Abercrombie & Fitch, closest peer by market capitalization
Source: Reuters
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
28. College students only
Used clothing
Artists not managers in charge
Manager freedom
Every store different
…
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
31. Five Conversations:
The Outthinker Process
Imagine
Dissect
Expand
Analyze
Sell
Choose
leverage
points others
overlook
Generate
more
potential
strategies
Choose
strategies
competitors
will not copy
Build buy-in
from key
stakeholders
Objectives
Imagine and
commit to
realizing a
different
future
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
32. How Do Great Strategists See the
“Winning Move?”
Alexandra Kosteniuk
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
39. Narratives to Find a Fourth Option
#22 Move early to the next battleground
#34 Coordinate the uncoordinated
#7 Force two-front battle
#33 Be good
#32 Create something out of nothing
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
40. 22 Move Early to the Next Battleground
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
41. 22 Move Early to the Next Battleground
“I just think a future in
which anyone can shoot
stuff into space is more
exciting than one which
only the government
can.”
Elon Musk, founder,
Space-X
(2003 interview)
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
42. 22 Move Early to the Next Battleground
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
43. 22 Move Early to the Next Battleground
Identify and move early to the next
battleground.
Where is the next battleground?
- Technological trends?
- Social shifts?
- Geographies?
- Buying patterns?
- Needs?
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
44. Narratives to Find a Fourth Option
#22 Move early to the next battleground
#34 Coordinate the uncoordinated
#7 Force two-front battle
#33 Be good
#32 Create something out of nothing
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
52. 34
Coordinate the Uncoordinated
Combine and coordinate independent
elements within your environment to
orchestrate much greater power.
Who would we like to coordinate?
- Customers
- Experts
- Employees
- Real estate
- Regulators
- Competitors
- Driveways
-…
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
53. Narratives to Find a Fourth Option
#22 Move early to the next battleground
#34 Coordinate the uncoordinated
#7 Force two-front battle
#33 Be good
#32 Create something out of nothing
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
54. 7 Force a Two-Front Battle
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
55. 7 Force a Two-Front Battle
“There is no physical analog for
what Amazon.com is becoming.”
- Jeff Bezos
Cloud
providers
Retail
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Cloud
services
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
56. 7 Force a Two-Front Battle
Shoes
Customer
service
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Shoes
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
57. 7 Force a two-front battle
Project your unique capability into a new
area.
What is your unique advantage/
capability?
Into what new area could you project this?
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
58. Narratives to Find a Fourth Option
#22 Move early to the next battleground
#34 Coordinate the uncoordinated
#7 Force two-front battle
#33 Be good
#32 Create something out of nothing
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
63. 33
Be good
Adopt a strategy that Benefits others.
How can you profitably benefit key
stakeholders that you are not now
considering?
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
64. Narratives to Find a Fourth Option
#22 Move early to the next battleground
#34 Coordinate the uncoordinated
#7 Force two-front battle
#33 Be good
#32 Create something out of nothing
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
65. 32 Create Something Out of Nothing
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
66. 32 Create Something Out of Nothing
Julie Pickens
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
67. 32 Create Something Out of Nothing
Ingvar Kamprad
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
68. 32 Create Something Out of Nothing
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
69. 32 Create Something Out of Nothing
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
70. 32 Create something out of nothing
Add a new piece the board.
What would you like to create/ add
to the game?
- New categories?
- New occasions or needs?
- New customers?
- New suppliers?
- New distributors?
- New regulations?
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
71. Find More Stratagems at www.kaihan.net
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
72. Narratives to Find a Fourth Option
#22 Move early to the next battleground
Where is the next battleground?
#34 Coordinate the uncoordinated
Who could you coordinate?
#7 Force two-front battle
How can you project into a new sector?
#33 Be good
How can you be good?
#32 Create something out of nothing
What can you create?
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
73. EO CT and
University of
Hartford – Part II
Hartford, CT
February 2014
Kaihan Krippendorff
www.outthinker.com
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
75. Outthinkers are Outliers
“Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?”
Harry M. Warner, CEO of Warner Brothers Pictures, circa 1927
“Heavier than air flying machines are
impossible.”
Lord Kelvin President, Royal Society, circa 1895
“There is no likelihood man can ever tap
the power of the atom.”
“There is no reason for any individual to have a
computer in their home.”
Robert Millikan, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923
Ken Olsen President , Digital Equipment Corporation,1977
“The phonograph … is not of any commercial value.”
Thomas Alva Edison (Inventor of the Phonograph), circa 1880
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
76. Session goals
1.Find a Fourth Option® for your
business/ career
2.Learn a process and set of tools
3.Feel confident in your ability to
apply these going forward
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
77. Five Conversations:
The Outthinker Process
Imagine
Dissect
Expand
Analyze
Sell
Choose
leverage
points others
overlook
Generate
more
potential
strategies
Choose
strategies
competitors
will not copy
Build buy-in
from key
stakeholders
Objectives
Imagine and
commit to
realizing a
different
future
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
78. You just received a $1,000. How would you allocate the money?
“Use it to buy something nice for someone special.”
“Invest it in a retirement fund.”
“Plan a fun and extravagant occasion.”
“Put it in a checking account.”
“Me Now”
“Me Later”
3x
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
79. I | IMAGINE
Objective: Give yourself permission to dream a different future.
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
80. I | IMAGINE
Objective: Force yourself to travel to a different future.
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
81. I | IMAGINE
Objective: Force yourself to travel to a different future.
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
82. I | IMAGINE
Objective: Force yourself to travel to a different future.
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
83. I | IMAGINE
Objective: Bring that future back to the present.
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
85. Five Conversations:
The Outthinker Process
Imagine
Dissect
Expand
Analyze
Sell
Choose
leverage
points others
overlook
Generate
more
potential
strategies
Choose
strategies
competitors
will not copy
Build buy-in
from key
stakeholders
Objectives
Imagine and
commit to
realizing a
different
future
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
89. Five Conversations:
The Outthinker Process
Imagine
Dissect
Expand
Analyze
Sell
Choose
leverage
points others
overlook
Generate
more
potential
strategies
Choose
strategies
competitors
will not copy
Build buy-in
from key
stakeholders
Objectives
Imagine and
commit to
realizing a
different
future
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
90. How Do Great Strategists See the
“Winning Move?”
Alexandra Kosteniuk
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
91. Relative number of narratives chess players recognize:
Grand master
Master
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Expert
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
92. Narratives to Find a Fourth Option
#22 Move early to the next battleground
#34 Coordinate the uncoordinated
#7 Force two-front battle
#33 Be good
#32 Create something out of nothing
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
93. Find More Stratagems at www.kaihan.net
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
94. Five Conversations:
The Outthinker Process
Imagine
Dissect
Expand
Analyze
Sell
Choose
leverage
points others
overlook
Generate
more
potential
strategies
Choose
strategies
competitors
will not copy
Build buy-in
from key
stakeholders
Objectives
Imagine and
commit to
realizing a
different
future
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
95. “Impossible is a word to
be found only in the
dictionary of fools.”
Napoleon Bonaparte
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2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
96. Selecting your 4th Option
High Crazy ideas
Winning moves
Impact
• How far would
this get me
toward my
goal?
• How long
before the
competition
responds?
Wastes of time Tactics
Low
Difficult
Easy
• Can we do this quickly?
• Is this inexpensive?
• Do we have the capability?
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
97. Selecting your 4th Option
High Crazy ideas
Winning moves
Impact
• How far would
this get me
toward my
goal?
• How long
before the
competition
responds?
Wastes of time Tactics
Low
Difficult
Easy
• Can we do this quickly?
• Is this inexpensive?
• Do we have the capability?
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
98. Make the impossible possible
“Each of these
looked like show
stoppers”
Don’t build
handsets
Risk of no
WiFi
David Morken, CEO Bandwidth.com
www.kaihan.net
Motorola
Early
adopters
Customer
Service too
costly
No one
provides
service
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
99. “It's not that I'm so
smart, it's just that I
stay with problems
longer.”
- Albert Einstein
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
111. kaihan@outthinker.com
www.outthinker.com
@kaihan
• Register for newsletter,
tools, videos
• Work out your Fourth
Option®
• Email me to get
presentation
• Contact us at Outthinker
for more support
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
112. “Impossible is a word to
be found only in the
dictionary of fools.”
Napoleon Bonaparte
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
113. Selecting your 4th Option
High Crazy ideas
Winning moves
Impact
• How far would
this get me
toward my
goal?
• How long
before the
competition
responds?
Wastes of time Tactics
Low
Difficult
Easy
• Can we do this quickly?
• Is this inexpensive?
• Do we have the capability?
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
114. Make the impossible possible
“Each of these
looked like show
stoppers”
Don’t build
handsets
Risk of no
WiFi
David Morken, CEO Bandwidth.com
www.kaihan.net
Motorola
Early
adopters
Customer
Service too
costly
No one
provides
service
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
115. “It's not that I'm so
smart, it's just that I
stay with problems
longer.”
- Albert Einstein
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
116. Session goals
1.Find a Fourth Option® for your
business/ career
2.Learn a process and set of tools
3.Feel confident in your ability to
apply these going forward
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff
117. kaihan@outthinker.com
www.outthinker.com
@kaihan
• Register for newsletter,
tools, videos
• Work out your Fourth
Option®
• Email me to get
presentation
• Contact us at Outthinker
for more support
www.kaihan.net
2013 Outthinker LL & Kaihan Krippendorff