‘Twas the night of great foresight, when all through the land,
Not a creature was stirring, but their plans were all grand.
Strategies were hung by the whiteboard with care,
In hopes that scenario planning soon would be there.
The analysts nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of trend cards danced in their heads.
And CEO in his office, and I in my chair,
Had just settled in for a long thought-filled stare.
When out on the market there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the blinds and threw up the sash.
The moon reflecting off the new-fallen snow,
Gave the luster of PESTLE to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a collection of trend cards, crystal clear.
With a shrewd little analyst, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his insights they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
“Now, Market Trends! Now, Demographics! Now, Innovation and Risk!
On, Consumer Behavior! On, Technology and Geopolitics!
To the top of the forecast! To the peak of the chart!
Now analyze away! Analyze away! Analyze away, smart!”
And then, in a twinkling, I heard in the hall,
The plotting and scheming of each little call.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Through the door came St. Nicholas with a bound.
He was dressed all in trends, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with markers and soot.
A bundle of insights he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, opening his pack.
The stump of a pen he held tight in his teeth,
While signals of change encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the strategies; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
Leaping to his sleigh, he departed with grace,
And away they all soared, as if floating to space.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy foresight to all, and to all a good night!”
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Created with the support of generative AI.
Robin L. Champ is a visionary leader in strategic foresight and strategy management, currently serving as the Vice President, Strategic Foresight at LBL Strategies. With a distinguished career spanning key roles in both the Department of Defense and the U.S. Secret Service, Robin brings unparalleled expertise to the table.